On 1-2 July, the UK Solar Summit 2025 will bring together leading developers, investors and policymakers to explore solar’s evolving role in the UK energy mix.
On the agenda this year, a panel, Biodiversity Net Gain and Solar: Turning Policy into Practice, will discuss the potential for solar PV plants to deliver on biodiversity, while navigating evolving regulations.
Ahead of the event, Solar Power Portal heard from Fran Button, deputy CEO of British Solar Renewables, who plays a key role in shaping the company’s environmental strategy and will take part in the panel on 1 July.
What are some of the opportunities in the UK’s current solar market?
One of the biggest opportunities right now is making better use of land to deliver multiple benefits. Solar projects can do more than generate clean power. They can also support food production, improve soil health and create and increase vital spaces for nature. There’s growing recognition that renewables and agriculture can work side by side.
By designing sites that balance energy generation with biodiversity and farming, we can deliver long-term value for people, the land and the planet. This kind of responsible, multi-functional land use is not just good practice. It is what the future of energy needs to look like.
What are some of the challenges hindering the adoption and progression of solar PV in the UK?
There are several key challenges at the moment. Grid access is one of the most pressing. We need faster, more efficient connections so clean energy can reach the people who need it. Long wait times are holding back projects that are otherwise ready to deliver.
Planning is another major issue. The timescales for planning permission often do not align with the long lead times for grid connections. That makes it difficult for developers to move forward with confidence. Without better coordination between the planning system and grid timelines, it is hard to get projects into planning at the right time and give certainty to investors and communities.
We also believe that faster planning decisions should not come at the expense of the environment. It is possible to build solar projects that support nature, farming and local people. That should be the standard, not the exception. British Solar Renewables is a prime example of this, committing to our Nature Protection Pledge across all of our sites.
There is also a disconnect between regulatory processes such as NESO Gate 2 and the Contracts for Difference (CfD) rounds, which adds further complexity. Finally, the sector faces pressure around access to skilled labour. The shift to net zero is a huge opportunity for green jobs across the UK. However, we need a stronger focus on skills and workforce planning, particularly now that it is harder to bring in experienced workers from Europe post-Brexit.
What policy would you advise the government implement to help support the growing UK solar sector?
Certainty is the single most important thing the government can offer right now. The solar industry is ready to deliver, but we need confidence in the long-term policy landscape to do so at scale.
This starts with DESNZ providing clarity on whether it intends to implement zonal pricing or a reformed national market model for the wholesale market. That decision is urgently needed before the application window for CfD Round AR7 opens on 7 August.
Next, we need confirmation of the CfD term. Will it be 15, 20 or 25 years? We have the timetable for AR7, and we have projects ready to bid into it, but we still do not know exactly what we are bidding for. We also need to understand what measures will be taken to ensure that connection reform and the CfD process work together, rather than at cross purposes.
Finally, the industry needs certainty that AR8, the auction for delivery in 2029/30, will go ahead next year, and clarity on exactly when that will be. Without this information, developers, constructors, funders and operators cannot put concrete plans in place without taking on significant risk. This jeopardises the UK’s ability to meet its CP30 goals. The solar industry is ready to deliver, but it is currently held back by regulatory uncertainty and long grid connection timescales.
The UK government is targeting up to 47GW solar capacity by 2030—how do you see this being reached and how can the industry work together to achieve it?
The target is achievable, but it will take clear policy, strong coordination and the right investment in people and infrastructure. CfD rounds need to be announced well in advance, with auction volumes set to reflect the scale of the UK’s ambition.
If we are serious about exceeding 50GW and continuing progress beyond 2030, towards 2035 and beyond, that ambition must be matched by policy delivery. In the longer term, skills and workforce capacity need real focus.
This includes making sure we have enough trained professionals in the core solar supply chain, such as high-voltage electricians and grid specialists, particularly within DNOs and grid operators. It also means investing in the allied sectors that enable delivery, like planning. The planning system needs sufficient capacity and expertise to keep pace with the growing demand for clean energy infrastructure.
What are you most looking forward to at Solar Media’s upcoming UK Solar Summit?
We’re looking forward to connecting with others who are serious about tackling climate change and delivering a cleaner, more secure energy future. It’s a great chance to talk openly about the challenges we’re all facing and explore what more we can do to reach net zero. We’re always interested to hear about innovation and real-world experience, and we’re keen to share what we’ve learned too.
The summit is a good space to connect, learn and work together on practical solutions that move the industry forward.
To view the agenda and book your tickets, visit the event website.
