Seven out of 10 Scots want solar panels fitted on public buildings, survey finds
The research was released ahead of industry body Solar Energy Scotland staging its conference on Tuesday.
Seven out of 10 Scots want to see solar panels installed on public buildings, new research has revealed.
A survey for the industry body Solar Energy Scotland found 70% in favour of this, with only 6% opposed.
Almost three out of five people also want to see solar panels to be required to be fitted on new build homes – with 59% backing a policy that would bring Scotland in line with new policies coming in in March next year in England and Wales.
The research, carried out by pollsters at More in Common, also found almost twice as many people would support a solar farm being built near their home as would be against such a development.
While 22% would not back a solar farm being built near them, 43% said they would support such a project.
Solar Energy Scotland acting chair George Baxter said the research – which was released ahead of the organisation’s conference in Edinburgh on Tuesday – showed that “Scotland is not short of people who want solar power, whether on the ground or on their roof”.
He added: “Whilst some progress has been made in recent years, it is clear that there is strong public support for ramp up deployment significantly so that the many benefits of low cost solar can be realised by people everywhere.”
Almost two fifths (38%) of Scots say they would like to have solar panels fitted on their home, but do not think they would be able to do this.
However, Mr Baxter said: “Fortunately, the Westminster Government has just launched the Warm Homes Loan Scheme, which provides low or zero-interest loans for solar, battery, heat pump and other household energy upgrades across the UK.”
Meanwhile, half of Scots (51%) want an official target to be set for solar energy power generation in Scotland – something Solar Energy Scotland has long pushed for.
The organisation is also pushing for building standards to be updated, so new homes and non-residential buildings include solar as standard.
Lang Banks, director at WWF Scotland, said: “These findings make clear that people across Scotland want to see more of our rooftops put to work generating clean electricity. Installing solar panels on suitable schools, leisure centres and other public buildings is a practical way to help cut energy bills and climate emissions, benefiting both communities and the environment.
“Alongside improving energy efficiency, we should be making much better use of Scotland’s solar potential.
“With public backing so clear, the Scottish Government and local authorities should turn that support into action, helping more households and communities benefit from clean energy.”
UK Government energy minister Martin McCluskey said: “More and more Scots want in on solar.
“For the first time, the UK Government is supporting low- and no-interest loans across the country so that more people, including in Scotland, can benefit from clean energy tech.
“That means families across the UK can save on their bills through solar, heat pumps and batteries – with no upfront costs.”
Scotland’s energy minister, Stephen Gethins, said: “Solar has a key part to play in Scotland’s energy mix, helping to deliver clean electricity and greater energy resilience for households, businesses and communities.
“The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the continued growth of solar generation. We have a strong track record of supporting solar deployment across the public sector, and through our Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (Cares), which has been increased to £15 million this year, we are helping communities across Scotland benefit directly from renewable energy projects, including solar installations, that reduce energy costs and create lasting local benefits.
“Around 2,000 fuel-poor households also benefited from Scottish Government-funded rooftop solar panel installations last year.
“We are taking forward work to better understand opportunities for solar deployment in underused spaces such as railways and car parks, following our commissioning of an analysis of international approaches in the first 100 days of this government.
“As we deliver Scotland’s energy transition, we will continue to work with the solar sector and communities across the country to ensure the benefits of renewable energy are shared as widely as possible.”