More than 90% of suitable commercial roof space in the UK is currently unused for solar, with a new report warning that unlocking this capacity could generate electricity equivalent to almost 20 nuclear power stations.
The report, commissioned by Real Estate UK, has found the vast majority of commercial roof space is currently unused for solar deployment – but could drastically increase UK renewable energy production and power the UK to net zero.
If it was filled, it could power a staggering amount of energy – the equivalent of almost 20 nuclear power stations, with the ability to power 20 million homes.
That’s more than 10 times the AI data-centre capacity the Government expects the UK to need by 2030 and almost 20 times the generating capacity of Hinkley Point C, once operational.
The report also identifies that unlocking the remaining 90% could provide a vast new source of home-grown renewable generation, significantly reducing energy costs for occupiers and rapidly decarbonising the UK’s built environment, which currently emits 25% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions.
However despite the benefits, this rollout cannot happen without policy reform. Leasing complexity, regulatory uncertainty, grid connection and inconsistent commercial frameworks make this space a tricky investment.
The report calls on the government to unlock the full potential of rooftop solar through seven clear recommendations. These include removing tax and regulatory barriers by clarifying REIT rules for solar investment, standardising legal and commercial frameworks, introducing consistent insurance standards for rooftop solar and more.
With solar farms consistently under fire for sustainability and environment impacts, perhaps time and money would be better spent investing in the necessary changes to facilitate rooftop solar instead.
