UK capacity additions slow but major project pipeline grows

Sheep are seen grazing amidst solar panels on a farm located near Haverfordwest in the beautiful countryside of southwest Wales showcasing the increasing development of significant ground mounted solar projects, in the United Kingdom.

By the end of September 2024 in the United Kingdom new data from the Department, for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) shows that over 17.GW of power has been installed.

The United Kingdoms government reported an increase of 862 megawatts in installed solar power capacity during the initial nine months of 2024; however it is expected that this number will be adjusted upwards in later revisions.The information provided by DESNZ regarding solar panel installation is preliminary. May be modified as more data becomes available, on recently active locations.

In 2024 in the United Kingdom according to DESNZ data there was a decrease in installations compared to the previous year, with 1,o89 MW of new capacity added up to September 30th of the year 2023.

In 2024 deployment may catch up with 2023 figures due to updated data; however domestic installations show a decrease, in both capacity and total new installations compared to the year.

DESNZ has noted a decrease in residential solar power generation capacity this year compared to the same period last year. With 426 MW installed up to September 2024 as opposed to 540 MW in 2023. Furthermore the number of installations also saw a decline from 132 989 in September of the previous year, to 107 316 in the first nine months of 2024.

A significant portion of information regarding home solar panel installations comes from data collected by Microgeneration Certification Scheme (referred to as MCS). In an interview with pv magazine in October 2024,MCSs Head of Scheme Alex Hughes mentioned that shifts in market dynamics have resulted in a decrease in small scale installations (, below 50 kW capacity ) this year compared to last year.

Hughes mentioned that year involved a significant effort to recover from the impact of Covid 19; evidently there was a surge in demand due, to the energy crisis which has now stabilized somewhat over time." Currently what we observe is a consistent and stable deployment process."

Large scale projects with a capacity exceeding 50 MW are on the rise in the United Kingdoms utility sector recently. The government gave the light to the 600 MW Cottam Solar Project in September 2024. Marking the fourth major solar project approval since the general election in July of that year. Additionally approved in July were the Mallard Pass plant with a capacity of 350 MW and the Gate Burton Energy Park and Sunnica projects with capacities of 500 MW each, by the DESNZ secretary of state. Island Green Power, the developer of the Cottam Solar Project is anticipating a decision, on the proposed 480 MW West Burton Solar projects planning consent by November 2024.