The proposed scheme can bring many benefits from the perspective of cost-effective hybrid power system planning. The scheme aims at the optimal allocation of the wind–solar mix, which is ensured through the
Large, centralised solar PV power systems, mostly at the multi-megawatt scale, have been built to supply power for local or regional electricity grids in a number of countries including Germany,
Solar farms with a generating capacity below 50 megawatts (MW) need planning permission from the local planning authority (LPA). Solar farms with a generating capacity above 50 MW need development consent from the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, because they are nationally significant infrastructure projects’ (NSIPs).
LPAs will decide planning applications, including for solar farms, in line with their local plan and the government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). In general, the NPPF guides development away from the “best and most versatile” (BMV) agricultural land (excellent to good quality land of grades 1, 2, and 3a).
LPAs in England will decide applications for smaller-scale solar farms in line with their local plan and the national planning policies. Government guidance advises LPAs to approve renewable energy developments whose “impacts are (or can be made) acceptable”.
Solar farms with a generating capacity above 50 MW need development consent from the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, because they are nationally significant infrastructure projects’ (NSIPs). Planning is a devolved matter.
The Roadmap further states that in November 2012 the UK had 1.4GW of installed solar PV capacity in operation and that analysis indicates that the market could bring forward a total of 7–20GW of solar PV by 2020. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the national planning policy context for renewable energy.
The government said a fully decarbonised power system would be “composed predominantly of wind and solar”. It aims to achieve 70 gigawatt (GW) of solar power by 2035 (up from 15.8 GW as of March 2024). Solar farms usually require planning permission. The size of a solar farm will determine which body decides the application.
