Rural roofs lead on solar power generation recent analysis from the Countryside charity the CPRE has revealed.
The data shows that 48 of the 50 English parliamentary constituencies with the highest domestic solar generation capacity are in rural areas. Meanwhile, all 200 of those with the lowest are in towns and cities.
Analysis of local authority data showed that rural constituencies have enough domestic solar panels to generate 12.5 megawatts (MW) energy every year – as opposed to 4.5 MW in urban areas.
However the CPRE believes both figures are far too low, and it’s clear that the transformative power of rooftop solar to generate clean energy across the country continues to be overlooked.
They continue “the huge amount of cheap, low carbon electricity that rooftop solar can provide will also save people money. This kind of progress we cannot afford to stall – for the sake of our countryside and planet”.
“This report shows that with the right initiatives in place, the rooftops of homes, warehouses and car parks across the nation could become clean power stations, cutting carbon emissions, slashing energy bills and protecting our countryside.”
ACE’s Energy Group has been leading on developing more renewable energy for our local rural community. You can find out more here.