UK Unveils Bold Vision to Spark a Rooftop Solar Revolution Across the Nation

After nearly a year in office, the Labour government is ticking off major promises from its manifesto, especially when it comes to accelerating the UK’s solar energy transition. With the Clean Power / UK Solar Summit 2025 just around the corner, and energy minister Michael Shanks set to deliver the keynote, recent developments signal strong policy backing for the industry.

Great British Energy is now fully operational, and its first major move, an investment of £200 million, is aimed at installing rooftop solar panels across schools and NHS buildings. This initiative reflects the government’s push to embed renewables into the public estate from day one.

In a further step toward responsible sourcing, an amendment has been added to the Great British Energy Bill to block the use of solar products linked to forced labour. Solar Energy UK confirmed that the company will be working with the Solar Stewardship Initiative to enforce this clause across its supply chain.

The government is also consulting on new rules that would make community benefit funds a legal requirement for infrastructure projects. These funds, tied to project scale, would range from tens of thousands to millions of pounds per year and are part of the broader Plan for Change.

These funds are designed to boost public support for local solar developments. At the UK Solar Summit, a panel titled “Best Practice Approaches to Community Engagement” will explore how developers can go beyond consultation to build true collaboration with residents.

Gemma Grimes, Director of Policy and Delivery at Solar Energy UK, noted that solar farms are already delivering a wide variety of voluntary community benefits. She’ll be moderating a separate panel on how the industry can close its growing skills gap—another key focus for the sector.

After sustained industry lobbying, the government has confirmed that the new Future Homes Standard will include a clear requirement for rooftop solar. All new residential builds will be expected to include solar PV systems, covering at least 40 per cent of the floor area, or a “reasonable amount” if the full target cannot be met.

This move effectively embeds renewable electricity generation into the UK’s building regulations. According to government statements, solar will be the go-to solution for the vast majority of homes under these rules.

To kick off a dedicated stream on the rooftop and community solar at the summit, the opening keynote, aptly titled Unleashing the Rooftop Revolution, will explore how this rapid deployment of rooftop solar is unlocking fresh opportunities for developers across the country.