VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Solar Power: Industrial Estates and Retail Trade

Asked by Mike MartinLiberal DemocratDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled Answered 2 April 2025UIN 41701

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of mandating businesses occupying spaces in (a) retail and (b) industrial estates to install solar panels on their roofs.

Answered by Michael Shanks

The Government provides fiscal incentives to encourage businesses to install rooftop solar, such as through tax relief and business rate exemptions. Through permitted development rights, there is no limit to the capacity of a commercial solar installation, although prior approval is required for installations greater than 50kW.

The forthcoming Solar Roadmap will set out recommendations on how the Government and industry will work together to achieve the ambition to radically increase the UK’s solar capacity by 2030 including for non-domestic solar.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim