The UK Government has launched The Solar Strategy that sets out the government’s ambition to see solar energy rolled out more widely and with it the potential to support tens of thousands of jobs.

The UK Energy Minister Greg Barker outlined The Solar Strategy at SunSolar Energy in Birmingham. The Solar Strategy is focused on transforming government buildings, factories, supermarkets and car parks into solar hubs.

Barker said that there is massive potential to turn the large buildings into power stations and that people must seize the opportunity this offers to boost the UK’s economy as part of the country’s long term economic plan.

“Solar not only benefits the environment, it will see British job creation and deliver the clean and reliable energy supplies that the country needs at the lowest possible cost to consumers,” Barker said.

Barker said that government wants to move the emphasis for growth away from large solar farms and instead focus on opening up the solar market for the country’s estimated 250,000 hectares of south facing commercial rooftops.

According to Barker, solar power increasingly offers efficient and cost-effective onsite generation opportunities for both businesses and domestic consumers, and the government’s strategy makes a step towards change in its ambition for both groups as a means to generate renewable energy.

Widespread solar will ensure a better deal for hard pressed consumers and help move towards a greener, more local energy sector.

The UK Minister for Energy and Climate Change Greg Barker has worked closely with his Ministerial colleague from the Cabinet Office, Francis Maude, and his team – who are leading on an element of the Strategy, implementing the Solar PV Strategy across the government estate.

The Solar Strategy follows the Solar PV Roadmap, which was published in October 2013. The Solar PV Roadmap established the principles for solar PV deployment in the UK.