……. the role of solar in the future energy mix
SolarQ UK…..
……is a small group of citizen-scientists, with more than 50 years of research experience between them, concerned about the lack of an evidence-based spatial plan for the renewable resources we will need on our journey to Net Zero. We are not funded by any industry or lobby group for or against any particular form of renewable energy. We wish, however, to leave the environment in a better shape than at present …….. in short, to be good ancestors for future citizens.
https://www.solarq.org contact@solarq.org
SolarQ UK’s research seeks to inform the national debate on renewable energy in the UK by gathering and analysing data to provide a balanced view of the ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ of the options available.
“there is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action” Goethe
SolarQ UK supports the UK Government’s ambition for Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050, but the road-map to this destination is unclear, as is the final ‘mix’ of renewable energy resources.
“looking back, I think it was more difficult to identify the problems than to solve them” Darwin
Our changing energy futures.
The commitment to Net Zero by 2050 requires system changes at all levels, from initial energy generation, to its distribution and local supply. Click below for an overview of the current and future supply and demand requirements and for a brief description of some of the alternative renewable energy sources available. We will need less energy overall by 2050 but it must be provided in very different ways.
Dive into the details
Solar panels and on- and off-shore wind turbines are the current solutions favoured for short term goals to 2030 and 2035. But just how good are they at meeting our energy demands, and what of longer term possibilities such as tidal power, or the ‘black swan’ of nuclear fusion? SolarQ’s research looks at how the performance of current solutions complies with existing recommendations and legislation. What impacts will renewable energy technology have on land-use, food and energy security, biodiversity and climate change?
There are hundreds of documents and thousands of pages devoted to renewable energy in all its forms; what it is, how it works and how much of it we might need in the future energy mix. SolarQ has saved you some time by producing condensed reports on particular topics that you will find on this website. But we won’t always get it right. If you spot any errors of fact or analysis please let us know. If you have expertise in particular areas please get in touch. We are particularly keen to learn more about the electricity distribution network and system (now and in the future) and energy pricing mechanisms. Does more renewable energy really mean lower consumer prices? Please sign up or get in touch to share your knowledge and expertise. Not just with us, but with everybody who visits this site!
Deep-pocketed developers are picking off communities one at a time with large-area solar applications under the NSIP regime. More than 95% of NSIP applications in the last 10 years - of all sorts, including large-area solar - have been successful. As one solar developer says :
“If 100% of people in the area are against it, it will make no difference. We have satisfied all of the government criteria for it to go ahead, so it will“
This is neither right nor democratic. As Alicia Kearns (MP, Con, Rutland and Stamford) said during a 2022 Parliamentary debate:
“Ultimately, we need a national policy on solar farms. We cannot see this constant competition for the biggest possible solar plant being imposed all across the UK.”
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