'Majority of UK public back PV in local area'

• Report by Copper Consultancy for trade body gives insight right into field sentiment

Over 50% of the UK public support the growth of large-scale solar projects in their local area, compared to 25% in opposition, according to a new report.

The report '2022: A Bright Future for Solar, Realising the UK's Potential' by Solar Energy UK and Copper Consultancy found 56% of respondents backed solar projects.

Public assistance for local solar farms is also revealed to enhance gradually, more than one in 6 people checked have actually ended up being much more supportive, the study found.

The study is based upon a total of 2003 participants and also a sample of 492 individuals living near large-scale ground-mount solar projects.

Solar Energy UK chief executive Chris Hewett (envisioned) stated: "Solar farms are now part of the British landscape, and also this ground-breaking survey shows solid public assistance, from all parts of the country.

" It is specifically excellent to see that people who live close to them come to be much more beneficial with time."

" We understand that leading public issue is exactly how a solar farm will influence regional nature, which is why we are working with environmentalists to create finest technique for land management as well as routine monitoring.

" Evidence so far shows a solar farm normally raises the biodiversity of wildflowers, pollinators and bird types."

Copper Consultancy director of energy facilities Sam Cranston claimed: "2022 is readied to be one more historic year for solar energy in the UK as developers seek to bring forward huge scale sites in document numbers.

" Our study into public mindsets plainly reveals prevalent support for solar and, crucially, that this grows with time.

" The searchings for also reveal that designers and the wider industry can develop campaigning for also additionally by increasing understanding of the physical and also local advantages that solar projects provide, past their green qualifications."

Yet, despite high levels of support in general, the study located that there is potential to mobilise public esteem of solar farms also better, considered that 56% of people are still unaware that solar farms' can deliver on all-natural capital and also biodiversity.

It also found that 39% of respondents perceive public opposition to solar farms as the main barrier to growth in their area.

The research study also shows that there is some variation subject to different group qualities such as age, area and yearly earnings.

Eventually, an enhanced understanding of the jobs, skills, and also supply chain opportunities that emerge from solar projects is necessary, Solar Energy UK stated.