Registration and refreshments
08:45 to
09:30
Chair’s welcome and opening remarks
09:30 to
09:40
Speaker:
Dan Meredith.
Director of External Affairs.
Solar Energy UK.
Scaling solar energy in the UK – policy support and planning reforms that are unlocking industry growth
09:40 to
10:05
- Delivering the Solar Roadmap – what has been achieved so far and what are the key priorities?
- The latest updates on the new National Planning Policy Framework and its implications for solar schemes
- Looking ahead to the next CfD round - lessons from AR8 and new opportunities for developers
Panel discussion: Are we on track to deliver 45-47GW of solar by 2030? What are the next steps for accelerating progress and removing barriers?
10:05 to
10:55
- Are planning policy changes enough to speed up development and what more is needed?
- What are the key blockers to faster solar deployment and how can these be addressed?
- New strategies for overcoming grid capacity challenges – exploring the role of private wiring and alternative flexible solutions
Morning networking and refreshments
10:55 to
11:25
The post-reform grid landscape: what capacity is available for solar now and what comes next?
11:25 to
11:50
- Which zones in the UK are currently undersupplied and oversupplied with solar?
- Removing the bottlenecks – what does the current grid connection queue look like now?
- Crucial updates on the timelines for future application windows and opportunities to connect projects beyond 2030
Practical guidance on securing consent for solar projects of all scales and the latest insight on planning policy changes
11:50 to
12:15
- How are the consenting routes for TCPA and DCO projects evolving?
- One year on from the increase of solar NSIP thresholds – what has been the impact on development?
- What further planning reforms are expected, and what could they mean for developers?
Maximising land use for existing and new solar projects – unlocking more value from project sites
12:15 to
12:40
- Best practice for enhancing site potential through project design
- New opportunities for co-location – considering battery storage and other technologies
- Repowering operational solar farms to increase generation and optimise capacity
Networking lunch
12:40 to
13:40
Conducting effective consultation following the removal of statutory requirements – how has engagement for solar changed?
13:40 to
14:05
- How can engagement strategies be adapted and what is the sector doing differently?
- Is the new pre-application guidance enabling greater flexibility and reducing consenting timelines?
- How have consultation reforms changed community expectations around engagement and how can this be managed?
Local authority perspective – building effective partnerships to de-risk solar development
14:05 to
14:30
- How to best work with local authorities – what information do they require and when?
- Aligning solar projects with local planning priorities
- What specific challenges do local authorities face when assessing solar projects?
- The implications of determining larger and more complex schemes after the NSIP threshold increase
Managing archaeology and heritage requirements of solar farms – balancing asset protection with development
14:30 to
14:55
- Defining the archaeological and heritage impacts of solar infrastructure
- Using site design flexibility to reduce disturbance and ensuring your project remains on track
- Rethinking trial trenching – when and how much is really needed?
Afternoon networking and refreshments
14:55 to
15:20
Panel discussion: Overcoming supply chain and skills barriers to enable successful project delivery – what needs to be considered during planning?
15:20 to
16:05
- How can construction requirements be better embedded into early project planning?
- Identifying and securing the workforce needed now to deliver the growing pipeline of consented solar schemes
- Selecting the route to market – what is the best procurement strategy for solar infrastructure?
- What investment is needed in training, apprenticeships and skills development to support long-term growth?
Case study: Developing solar infrastructure – from site selection to overcoming grid constraints
16:05 to
16:30
- Identifying a suitable location for solar farms – positioning the project correctly
- Managing consenting risks and delays during the planning process
- How to plan your scheme with grid uncertainty – what are the best options
Chair’s closing remarks
16:30 to
16:40
Speaker:
Dan Meredith.
Director of External Affairs.
Solar Energy UK.
Close of conference and networking drinks
16:40 to
17:00