Government shines light on solar commitment
Solar & Storage Live 2025 opened with affirmation of the bright future of solar power in the UK, thanks to a keynote address from Michael Shanks MP, Minister for Energy. His message was clear: solar is not just a complementary energy source: it is central to the UK’s net-zero mission. The government is backing this up with real investment, citing Hull University Hospital’s £250,000/month savings from solar, and announcing plans for installations on 200 more schools and hospitals through Great British Energy.
This top-level endorsement reinforces the role that solar, and by extension battery storage, must play in the Clean Power 2030 roadmap. As communications consultants, we view this announcement as a great opportunity to generate valuable touchpoints for stakeholder engagement.
Solar scaling: Big projects, bigger ambitions
With respect to utility-scale projects, Mr Shanks announced the government’s intention to raise the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) threshold to 100 MW. This will expedite the consenting process for larger schemes, a welcome move for developers and a moment for clear, consistent communications to smooth the path forward.
As the Solar Roadmap is set to be published soon, pre-application communications strategies will have to be ready. Early engagement and strategic messaging will be more crucial than ever to ensure deployment progresses in step with community understanding.
Consenting communications: Start early, stay honest
Day two of the event brought a collaborative panel featuring voices from RWE, Solar Energy UK and others. A common theme? Communication needs to happen early and often. This aligns with what we advocate for in every project: pre-application engagement is not just a box to tick: it is the foundation for trust.
Speakers underlined the importance of being transparent about the challenges as well as the benefits. Solar projects often promise long-term rewards, but communities want to know what that means for them, now and in the future.
Community first: Build trust with clear communications
A key insight was the disconnect between industry assumptions and community understanding. As professionals in the renewable energy sector, we know that sometimes public awareness of the solar rollout or the consenting process itself is overestimated. By breaking down these steps and demystifying the “why” behind decisions in real time, we can bring people along on the journey.
In a world of quick headlines and scepticism, transparency and clarity are our best tools. Strong, proactive communication is not just about informing it is about involving.
Knowledge gaps: Why assumptions do not help
Several panellists shared surprising stories about local stakeholders who were less familiar with the process. It’s a valuable reminder that not everyone comes to the conversation with the same background or spends their days immersed in the industry – as communications professionals, our messaging needs to consider this.
People do not always realise what is coming or why it is happening. Helping communities understand that solar development is a process, not a switch that gets flipped, can help turn opposition into curiosity, and curiosity into support.
Solar stories: Where the public see value
Community questions circled around a familiar theme: “What’s in it for us?” While financial benefits from utility-scale solar remain complex to deliver, there is a growing understanding of the potential benefits solar brings in terms of biodiversity, local investment and educational outreach.
Framing solar not just as “clean energy” but as an ecosystem – of benefits, of jobs, of environmental responsibility – creates broader buy-in. Our consultancy often uses the line: “Solar has a huge role to play in our overall transition to cheap renewable energy. Solar allows us to deliver benefits on a biodiversity, ecology and community front.” It still holds true – and events like this show that narrative gaining ground.
The future is bright, but needs dialogue
As we reflect on Solar & Storage Live, one thing is certain: the opportunity is enormous, but so is the need for communications that connect with the communities. From national policies to local projects, clear and consistent communications will make the difference between friction and momentum.
If your organisation is preparing for the consenting process or looking to build a robust pre-application strategy, we’re here to help. Because in this energy transition, dialogue is power.
Planning a project or preparing for the consenting process? Get in touch with us to see how Copper can help demystify the myths, close the knowledge gaps, and build real momentum through strategic and honest communications, helping bring people along on the journey.