Net zero drive continues as two major solar farms approved by Labour

Labour has approved two major solar energy installations, with ministers confirming the projects will collectively supply electricity to more than 200,000 households.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero revealed on Thursday that both the Dean Moor development in West Cumbria and the Peartree Hill facility in East Yorkshire have been granted construction clearance.

Located between Gilgarran and Branthwaite, the Dean Moor installation will produce sufficient energy for approximately 50,000 residences.

The Peartree Hill project, situated roughly 12 miles to the north of Hull, boasts considerably greater capacity, with output expected to serve around 167,000 homes.

These approvals form part of the Government's broader push towards its objective of eliminating nearly all fossil fuels from Britain's electricity grid by 2030.

Since taking office in July 2024, Labour has given the green light to 29 major clean energy schemes, which ministers claim will generate enough power for the equivalent of 18 million households, comparable to supplying the entire South East of England.

Energy minister Michael Shanks stated: "We are driving further and faster for clean homegrown power that we control to protect the British people and bring down bills for good."

Lord Alan Whitehead formally authorised the developments on behalf of Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• Polish consortium unveils £35billion plan to build 14 nuclear reactors across Britain
• Energy bill crisis as millions of Britons 'pushed into fuel poverty' as price cap tops £1,862
• Energy bill alert: Ofgem hikes price cap as millions issued smart meter warning

However, renewable energy specialists are cautioning that the recent heatwave could negatively affect solar panel performance.

Analysts at Dwellow have highlighted that whilst abundant sunshine benefits solar generation, excessively high temperatures can actually diminish efficiency.

With forecasts predicting temperatures reaching 38 degrees celsius across parts of Britain this week, many householders might expect their solar systems to be operating at maximum capacity.

Solar panels undergo testing at Standard Test Conditions, which assumes a temperature of approximately 25 degrees celsius, the global industry standard for measuring peak power output.

When panel temperatures climb substantially beyond this threshold, output begins to fall.

This occurs because the silicon within solar cells becomes progressively less effective at converting light into electrical voltage as heat increases.

Dwellow co-founders Iain McLaren and Adam Raw emphasise that optimal solar performance requires bright conditions paired with moderate temperatures rather than extreme heat.

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter