The United Kingdom has defined an ambitious goal in its new solar roadmap: reaching between 45 and 47 GW of installed solar capacity by 2030. The initiative aims to triple the current solar capacity, expanding both large-scale installations and rooftop systems, under clear rules and market-driven conditions.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero published the document as part of the Powering Up Britain: Energy Security Plan, highlighting solar power as a pillar of both energy security and decarbonization. “The sun is a reliable and increasingly affordable source of clean energy that can help us reduce gas dependence and lower bills for households,” the Department states.

Government as enabler of solar growth

The roadmap defines the Government’s role as an enabler, creating favorable conditions while leaving the rollout of projects to the private sector. Key actions include removing regulatory barriers, accelerating permitting, and improving grid connection processes. “We will work with industry and communities to enable a rapid and fair deployment,” the document affirms.

To facilitate implementation, the Government will establish a Solar Taskforce, bringing together stakeholders from across industry, local authorities, regulators, and civil society.

Industrial capacity and skilled jobs

Meeting the 2030 target will require a significant scale-up in national industrial capacity. The roadmap estimates the need for between 60,000 and 90,000 skilled workers across the solar value chain—from design and installation to operation and maintenance.

To support this, the Government will promote training standards, expand technical education, and encourage the domestic manufacturing of solar components. “Solar expansion is an opportunity to strengthen the UK economy and create high-quality jobs,” the Department emphasizes.

Community participation and land use

A key pillar of the roadmap is ensuring local communities benefit from the solar transition. The strategy encourages community-owned projects, shared benefit models, and discounted tariffs for residents near installations.

At the same time, the Government commits to protecting strategically important agricultural land. Rooftops, parking lots, and already developed surfaces will be prioritized for new capacity. “We want communities to be active participants in the energy transition—not just passive hosts for infrastructure,” the roadmap states.

Modernizing the electricity system

To support increased solar generation, the roadmap highlights the need to modernize the UK’s electricity grid. Priorities include investing in energy storage, improving flexibility, and integrating digital technologies.

The strategy also calls for a review of pricing mechanisms and market signals, aiming to reflect the full value of solar energy to the system and consumers. “For solar to grow, we need an agile, intelligent, and fair electricity system,” the Department declares.

With this roadmap, the United Kingdom outlines a clear path to reaching 47 GW of solar capacity by 2030, combining environmental ambition with economic development and social responsibility. Its success will depend on effective public-private collaboration and the conviction that solar power can scale without compromising land, people, or performance.