On Monday 1st December, ECO UK Group attended the UK Warehouse Association (UKWA) Rooftop Solar PV Roundtable with Michael Shanks, Minister for Energy & Net Zero. The event was held at One Great George Street, London, and brought together 30 representatives from across the solar and warehousing sectors to discuss how the Government can accelerate the deployment of rooftop solar on commercial warehouses.
The session was highly constructive, with a clear shared ambition: unlocking the significant potential of the UK’s warehouse rooftops to support national net-zero targets.
Key Topics Discussed
1. Improving and standardising the DNO application process
A major focus was on reducing delays caused by inconsistent DNO procedures and limited grid capacity. Encouragingly, on the same day, the Government announced that Ofgem will be investing £28 billion in grid upgrades—rising to £90 billion by 2031—to strengthen, modernise and expand the network to meet growing demand.
2. Greater engagement from the commercial insurance sector
Minister Shanks expressed disappointment that insurance representatives declined to attend. He committed to arranging a dedicated meeting to better understand how insurers assess the risks of Solar PV and Battery Storage and whether current industry perceptions match the realities of modern systems.
3. Addressing landlord–tenant challenges
The group discussed the need for clearer structures that protect both property owners and occupiers, while highlighting the financial, operational and sustainability advantages rooftop solar brings to landlords.
4. Prioritising unused commercial roof space
Although ground-mounted solar will continue to play a role, the focus is shifting toward making full use of the UK’s vast, underutilised commercial roof area.
5. Accelerating the adoption of battery storage
Enhancing grid flexibility through storage remains a priority. Discussions explored how policy and financial mechanisms could help make battery projects more viable for commercial users.
A sincere thank-you goes to Clare Bottle and the UKWA team for organising an excellent and productive event. Their continued leadership is helping drive meaningful progress in the UK’s transition to cleaner, more resilient energy.
