National Grid sets up solar energy

Should solar power be connected to national grid?

Connecting solar power directly to National Grid's transmission network marks a significant step in the renewable energy transition, allowing clean energy to be transported over greater distances and opening a gateway for larger projects to connect to the grid.

Are National Grid's new energy plans a 'unprecedented step forward'?

John Pettigrew, chief executive of National Grid, said the plans were “unprecedented” and represented the “most significant step forward in the electricity network that we’ve seen in a generation”. However, the plans risk raising questions over the effect on Britain’s consumer energy bills, which include a charge to fund the networks.

What is national grid doing to speed up electricity connections?

National Grid is working with industry to introduce a series of measures to help speed up connections to the electricity transmission network, including a connections amnesty, new arrangements to manage the connections pipeline, and a new two-stage offer process. ENDS

Why should a solar PV system be connected to the grid?

For financial benefit. Connecting your solar PV system to the grid allows you to take advantage of the FIT, which gives you a fixed amount of money for each kWh of electricity you generate. On top of these payments for energy generation, you also receive a sum of money for feeding any surplus energy into the grid.

Do all energy schemes need a connection to the National Grid?

All energy schemes which need a connection to the National Grid are currently in a single queue which operates on a "first-come-first-served" basis. Some projects face waiting times stretching long into the next decade to get connected.

How many solar panels will National Grid's Iron Acton solar plant produce?

The solar plant comprises 152,400 solar modules installed in a 200-acre plot near National Grid's 400kV Iron Acton substation. It will generate over 73,000MWh annually – enough to power the equivalent of over 17,300 homes – and will displace 20,500 tons of CO2 each year compared to traditional energy production.