Asked by: Satvir Kaur (Labour - Southampton Test)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his department has made of the potential merits of (a) promoting and (b) mandating the installation of solar panels on new large industrial developments.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Accelerating the deployment of solar on commercial rooftops is at the heart of our clean energy mission.
The Government promotes commercial solar by various means, including permitted development rights and fiscal incentives.
Future Buildings Standards will be introduced later this year to ensure that all newly built commercial buildings are fit for a net zero future. We expect these standards to encourage the installation of solar panels.
Asked by: Satvir Kaur (Labour - Southampton Test)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of installing solar panels in the unused space between train tracks.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Installing solar between train tracks could be a feasible solution, particularly in urban areas where the track is electrified, as there will likely already be an adequately sized grid connection. However, there are some obstacles that may inhibit the deployment of this technology, such as the challenge of grid connections in rural areas, obstruction of track maintenance, and the cost of additional transformers required to convert electricity from solar to useable high voltage DC or AC electricity for trains. Decisions on specific locations of solar deployment ultimately rest with developers.
Asked by: Satvir Kaur (Labour - Southampton Test)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has considered extending the funding of the Community Energy Fund.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises the role community groups play in our efforts to tackle climate change. On 21 March, Government announced the Great British Energy Community Fund, which will continue the work of the Community Energy Fund to provide funding and support, from planning to strategic advice, to community energy stakeholders, helping to increase the roll-out of renewable energy projects.
Asked by: Satvir Kaur (Labour - Southampton Test)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to help increase access to electric car charging infrastructure for people living in (a) flats and (b) houses without driveways.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grants are available for people living in homes without driveways, flat owners, renters, and landlords. These offer up to £350 towards the purchase and installation of a chargepoint. The Government will shortly publish guidance for local authorities on installing cross-pavement solutions for residents without off-street parking.
In addition, the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund supports local authorities in England to work with industry to transform the availability of EV charging for drivers without off-street parking, and will support the installation of tens of thousands of local chargers.
Asked by: Satvir Kaur (Labour - Southampton Test)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he is taking steps to (a) increase the number of and (b) expand existing community energy schemes.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises the role community groups play in our efforts to tackle climate change. Great British Energy’s Local Power Plan will support Local and Combined Authorities and Community Energy Groups to develop up to 8GW of cleaner power by 2030.
The Government also supports the community energy sector through the £10 million Community Energy Fund, which enables communities across England to access grant funding to develop local renewable energy projects for investment.