Forecasts suggest June-to-August output will exceed the high recorded in 2022 despite relatively poor weather
Great Britain is on track to generate record levels of solar power this summer, according to expert forecasts, as the government pushes forward plans to triple the country’s solar energy capacity by the end of the decade.
Solar power output between June and August is likely to climb by almost a quarter compared with the same period last year.
The forecasts, compiled for the Guardian by the energy market data company ICIS, show solar power output climbing 16% above the previous summer record from 2022.
Solar power generation in the meteorological summer is likely to reach 5.86 terawatt hours by the end of August, according to the figures, after monthly output climbed just above 2TWh for the first time in June.
Despite the relatively poor weather this summer, it is still possible to generate significant solar power during the months with more daylight hours. The photovoltaic cells in solar panels do not need direct sunlight to operate, they work even on cloudy days and are actually less efficient when they get too hot.
Britain’s solar generation is on track to increase further in the years ahead after the Labour government approved three major solar farms in the east of England within weeks of coming to power. Tory ministers had blocked the projects because of local opposition.
Read more: TheGuardian