More than three quarters of respondents to a survey conducted by Copper Consultancy backed the development of solar energy in their local area. Over two thirds said that they had changed their attitudes over the past year: of these, over 81 percent had become more supportive of the sector.
More than half thought that solar energy should be a priority for national planning decisions, given the need to hit net zero targets.
Overall, there has been a 4 percent increase in backing for solar farms – the cheapest source of power in the country – since 2023. There has also been a small increase in opposition, indicating that the industry must do more to communicate its benefits.
However, there has been dramatic and welcome change in public awareness of solar farms’ benefits to biodiversity, though appreciation is still far from universal.
In 2023, 42 percent of respondents were unaware of solar farms contribution to nature recovery. This has since plummeted to only 11 percent, as awareness grows of the positive impact solar farms can have on biodiversity net gain.
But when asked what the key benefits of solar farms in the local area would be, biodiversity placed last, with only 13 percent of respondents citing it. Similarly, the proportion of respondents who perceived that solar farms’ effect on wildlife was the sector’s most important impact rose from 27.5 percent to 42 percent. So, despite growing awareness of biodiversity net gain, the perception of impact on wildlife has increased.
Providing low-cost and clean energy were seen as the biggest benefits.
“Solar farms are popular and public support is getting even stronger” said Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of Solar Energy UK. “As more solar energy is deployed across the country, and public awareness grows further, it is good to see that the nature benefits are becoming better known, but we need to keep improving community engagement so more people understand how locations are selected, and the multiple benefits the projects will bring.”
The observations on biodiversity follow the publication of research by the RSPB and Cambridge University last month, finding that East Anglian solar farms have almost three times more birds than nearby arable land.
“This research very much accords with what the industry has known for years” added Rachel Hayes, Consents and ESG Policy Manager at Solar Energy UK. “The varied habitats found on well-managed solar farms offer true havens for wildlife, with the sector playing an increasing role in conserving some of Britain’s most vulnerable species. Our most recent compilation of independent ecological monitoring results, Solar Habitat, found that yellowhammers and linnets are common sights, with spotted flycatchers, corn buntings and nightingales also being observed. All are red-listed species.”
The next edition of Solar Habitat is due in the spring.
Nevertheless, minimising environmental impacts remains the most important issue to address when developing a solar farm, in respondents’ views. Creating local jobs, skills and supply chain opportunities, alongside providing benefits to the local community, are also among their highest priorities.
The survey also found that there has been an improvement in the public’s knowledge of why solar farms are built in particular locations. In 2023, over a third of respondents thought there was no particular reason for sites being chosen. This has since fallen to just over 20 percent.
However, only one in ten had the correct impression that the main rationale is being able to access the electricity network. As the report states, “Limited public awareness of the reasons behind site selection remains a challenge.”
In conclusion, the report makes clear that developers must continue to consider and challenge perceived impacts, despite clear public support for more solar energy on the grid. The industry should collectively explain the benefits of solar for hot topics such as energy bills, net zero and jobs, dispel the myths and collaborate with local communities to encourage a more positive and informed outlook among the public.
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