Good Energy claim UK first with solar sourcing

Good Energy announced the move today (August 31) adding that it was a first for the UK’s energy industry.

The company has previously only generated 1% of its power from solar with its primary focus on wind power.

Its fuel mix is still led by wind at more than half of its overall power source (54%) but solar has not jumped to a third of the energy (33%), with the rest made up of sustainable bio-generation (8%) and the rest from small-scale hydro.

According to the company’s chief executive and founder, Julie Davenport, the boost in generation is down more than 30 solar projects funded through the Feed-in-Tariff (FITs) scheme.

Ms Davenport says Good Energy now has more than 30 new larger-scale solar generators, ranging from a holiday cottage complex in Cornwall to a factory rooftop in Yorkshire.

She said: “I’m proud Good Energy is leading the way in renewable energy and it is proof clean, green electricity produced in the UK from natural resources can provide resilience against price volatility caused by relying on energy imported from abroad.

“The fact Good Energy customers will now be getting around a third of their electricity from sunlight once again demonstrates Good Energy’s commitment to renewables and shows that solar PV is a viable technology here in the UK.

“In fact, we get as much sunshine in the UK as Germany does, although Germany generates much more solar power.

“Solar has a valuable part to play in a balanced renewable energy portfolio, because the sun is often shining when the wind isn’t blowing, and vice-versa.”

Luke Walsh