Copper has teamed up with Solar Energy UK to conduct vital, first of its kind research into public attitudes to large scale solar development. The aim was to better understand where public sentiment stands, to provide further evidence on the priorities for local communities, and to help ensure the UK solar industry is fully equipped to deliver the best projects possible, for all parties involved.

Copper’s director of energy infrastructure, Sam Cranston, presented some of the early findings at Solar Energy UK and the Global Solar Council’s Lighting up COP26 panel event in Glasgow back in November (watch it back here) ahead of the formal launch in January.

The research has produced some interesting headline findings:

  • Support for local solar development is very strong among people living near solar farms.
  • Their support has also become stronger over time.
  • The public supports the prioritisation of solar energy in national planning decisions.
  • The public places importance on protecting the local environment, biodiversity, and natural capital in the design and operation of solar sites.
  • People see providing low-cost clean energy for their area as the key benefit of solar developments locally.
  • The majority of the public supports the prioritisation of solar energy in national planning decisions

Copper and Solar Energy UK will be formally launching the report on 20 January. More details to follow in the New Year.

Contact Sam (Sam.Cranston@copperconsultancy.com) for more details.