REA 'deeply concerned' by Truss and also Sunak solar views

• Association steps in amid mounting criticism of the technology by UK leadership candidates

Suggestions by Conservative leadership candidates that solar development in the UK ought to be restricted has been branded "deeply worrying" by the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA).

Prime Ministerial hopefuls Liz Truss as well as Rishi Sunak have actually revealed views at current hustings that solar PV ought to be replaced with plants and also livestock.

Truss has repeated her criticism in recent days explaining solar farms as "materiel", amid growing concern she would be prepared to transform planning laws to limit more solar growth if chosen.

REA has actually countered advising that solar supports as opposed to injuries agriculture with developers looking for to improve low land or guaranteeing multi-land usage applications.

Mark Sommerfeld, Head of Power and also Versatility at REA, claimed: "The language made use of so far throughout the Conservative leadership race relating to solar and also land use is deeply worrying, and also the REA advises the candidates to identify that solar farms do not encroach on farming land."

He included: "Offered the existing heatwave, and also the loss of plants as drought is declared across eight regions of England, it seems strange that the Conservative leadership candidates should be pressing versus one of the most affordable options to replacing gas imports that are increasing energy bills as well as the price of living.

" Pledging to transform preparation regulations to restrict further solar growth would certainly pose a serious hazard to the jobs as well as investment developed by the solar industry. It would certainly undermine the UK's ability to get to Internet Zero and keep us secured to pricey fossil fuels at a big expense to homes and organizations. Supplying more solar projects is not only an environmental imperative, however an economic one as well."

REA's reaction adheres to comparable concerns increased from trade association Solar Energy UK recently.