News / Scotland
A survey for the industry body Solar Energy Scotland found 70% in favour, with only 6% opposed
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.”
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