Are you curious about the spread and scope of solar farms in the UK? With the growing emphasis on renewable energy sources, the UK has seen a significant rise in the development of solar farms.
As the UK pushes towards its net-zero goals, solar energy has gone from niche technology to national infrastructure. The National Energy System Operator (NESO) notes that renewables, including solar, generated over 50% of the UK’s electricity in 2024, making it one of the greenest years on record.
Large-scale solar farms are leading the charge. These ground-mounted photovoltaic systems now supply a significant portion of the grid, with more in planning than ever before. But where are these farms? How much energy do they produce? And what do the next 10 years look like?
This updated 2025 guide combines an interactive map, regional insights, and policy context to help you understand the state—and the future—of solar power in the UK.
UK Solar Farms Quick Takeaways:
- Solar farms are fast to deploy, low-maintenance, and zero-emissions
- Interactive maps make it easy to find solar farms and track live projects
- The map allows you to zoom in and out to find specific locations or get a broad view
- At least 43% of the total capacity (7,710 MW) comes from ground-mounted or standalone solar installations like solar farms
- Solar farms currently use less than 0.1% of UK land, and many are compatible with agriculture
How Can You Find Solar Farms in the UK?
You can find solar farms in the UK through official government tools, industry platforms, and planning databases.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) plays a pivotal role in this green revolution. It helps foster the growth of renewable energy sources and, as part of this commitment, releases a quarterly update detailing the UK’s latest renewable energy projects.
The Renewable Energy Planning Database (REPD) tracks the progress of UK renewable electricity projects of over 150kW through the planning system. It provides as accurate and comprehensive a snapshot as possible of projects and progress across the technology sectors through the following stages:
- Inception
- Planning
- Construction
- Operation
- Decommissioning
The database gets monthly updates following the end of each quarter.
This isn’t just limited to solar farms; the updates also cover other renewable energy projects like wind farms and biomass plants, painting a comprehensive picture of the UK’s renewable energy landscape.
What makes this information even more accessible and interesting is our interactive map. Below is an up-to-date visual representation of all the latest renewable energy projects, including solar farms, across the UK.
This map is not static; it’s a dynamic tool that is regularly updated to reflect the most current data.
Solar Farms UK – Interactive Map:
Sources: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/renewable-energy-planning-database-monthly-extract
Features of the Interactive Map
- Comprehensive Coverage: The map showcases various types of renewable energy projects, focusing on solar farms.
- Geographical Layout: The distribution of projects across different regions of the UK is easily visible. This offers insights into regional focuses on renewable energy.
- Project Details: Clicking on a solar farm on the map will reveal more information about that particular project, such as its capacity and operational status.
- Regular Updates: As new projects commence and existing ones progress, the map is updated to reflect these changes, ensuring you have the latest information at your fingertips.
How to Use the Map:
Navigating the map is intuitive. You can zoom in and out to find specific locations or get a broader view of the renewable energy landscape. Click on any solar farm icon to get detailed information about that project.
This interactive map lets you:
- Filter by region
- View status: planned, under construction, operational
- See project capacity in megawatts
- Explore deployment timelines
- Link to planning application details
What is the Role of Solar in Helping the UK Achieve Clean Power?
Solar energy is one of the cheapest forms of electricity generation and will play a key role in helping the UK achieve its Clean Power 2030 Action Plan. It will enable cheap, efficient electricity to drive other sectors of the economy.
The UK has witnessed sustained growth in its solar energy sector in recent years. Official statistics on solar deployment show that as of the end of May 2025, there was a total of 18.9 GW of solar capacity in the UK across 1,803,000 installations.
At least 43% of capacity (7,710 MW) came from ground-mounted or standalone solar installations, including the two operational solar farms accredited on Contracts for Difference (CfD).
Why Solar Farms?
Solar farms are large-scale solar installations where photovoltaic (PV) panels, commonly known as solar panels, are used to convert sunlight into electricity.
They play a crucial role in the UK’s strategy to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.
With strong land availability, falling costs, and broad public support, solar farms are uniquely positioned to help create a cleaner, more secure energy future for everyone. Solar farms are also modular, meaning it’s easy to scale up capacity with available land and grid access.
Benefits of solar farms include:
Reduced Fossil Fuel Reliance
Solar farms generate electricity from sunlight—a completely renewable and zero-emissions source. They help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower the UK’s overall carbon footprint.
Quick to Deploy
Unlike nuclear or offshore wind projects, solar farms can be built and connected to the grid in 6–12 months. This speed makes them ideal for scaling up renewable capacity quickly to meet 2030 climate goals.
Low Maintenance, Long Lifespan
Solar farms have no moving parts and require minimal upkeep. Most systems last 25–35 years, delivering decades of clean energy with little operational cost.
Land-Friendly
They can be installed on:
- Brownfields or previously unused land
- Dual-use agricultural land (via Agri-PV systems)
- Land that can be easily restored after use
Biodiversity Opportunities
With careful design, solar farms can actually improve local ecosystems—using wildflower meadows, hedgerows, and pollinator-friendly zones under and around panels.
Quiet and Low Visual Impact
Unlike wind turbines, solar panels are silent and have a low profile—often no taller than 2.5 metres. With the right landscaping, they can blend into rural surroundings with minimal disruption.
Grid Decentralisation
Solar farms allow power to be generated closer to where it’s used. This decentralisation reduces strain on national grid infrastructure and improves local energy resilience—especially when paired with battery storage.
Understanding Solar Farm Capacity
Not all solar farms are created equal. Here’s a quick guide to what capacity means:
| Size (MW) | Approx. Homes Powered | Land Area Needed |
|---|---|---|
| 10 MW | ~2,500 homes | ~25–35 acres |
| 100 MW | ~25,000 homes | ~250–350 acres |
| 500 MW+ | ~120,000+ homes | ~1,000+ acres |
The High Grove Solar Project, for example, will produce up to 720 MW, making it one of the largest in Europe.
Where Are Solar Farms in the UK?
Solar farms in the UK are most commonly found in areas with ample flat land, high solar irradiance, and good access to the National Grid. Unsurprisingly, the South East and South West of England lead the way—regions like Kent, Hampshire, Devon, and Cornwall host dozens of operational sites due to their relatively sunny climate and rural land availability.
The East of England and East Midlands have also seen rapid growth, with large-scale projects planned in Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, and Northamptonshire. These regions combine favourable geography with access to grid infrastructure, making them hotspots for solar development.
Scotland and the North of England, while traditionally less dominant due to lower sunlight hours, are seeing increased investment thanks to falling panel costs and improved technology. Wales hosts several medium-sized solar parks, with further expansion planned along its southern coast.
Solar farms are often built on low-grade agricultural land, brownfield sites, or former airfields—locations that provide minimal disruption to food production or wildlife. Strategic placement is key: developers aim to minimise visual impact, ease planning approval, and reduce grid connection costs.
As of 2025, solar farms are becoming a truly nationwide phenomenon, not just a southern trend.
Land Use Debates About Solar Farms in the UK
As the number and size of UK solar farms grow, so too has public debate about whether they compete unfairly with agriculture, harm landscapes, or threaten biodiversity. While solar energy is widely supported in principle, its implementation on the ground can be contentious—especially in rural areas.
The Criticism: “Solar is Taking Over Farmland”
Opponents argue that:
- Productive farmland should be reserved for food security, not electricity.
- Large solar farms can industrialise rural views and change the character of the countryside.
- The UK should prioritise rooftop solar and brownfield sites before using greenfield land.
Some MPs and farming groups have echoed this view, especially as food prices rise and geopolitical instability threatens supply chains.
The Reality: Less Than 0.1% of UK Land is Used for Solar
According to Solar Energy UK, if the UK were to reach its 70 GW solar target by 2035:
- It would require about 0.3% of UK land—less than the land currently used for golf courses.
- Existing solar farms occupy just 0.08% of land—compared to 70% for agriculture and 8% for urban development.
In other words, even quadrupling solar deployment would leave over 99.5% of UK land untouched.
Emerging Solutions: Agrivoltaics & Reversible Use
The sector is responding with innovative approaches:
- Agri-PV (agrivoltaics): Solar panels are installed at a height that allows sheep grazing, bee hives, or even certain shade-tolerant crops underneath.
- Biodiversity gains: Wildflower meadows, hedgerow planting, and wildlife corridors are increasingly built into solar farm designs.
- Reversibility: Solar farms are non-permanent structures. After their 25–35 year lifespan, land can be restored to its original use without permanent damage.
The Policy Context
Government guidance now encourages developers to:
- Prioritise lower-grade (3b, 4, or 5) agricultural land over high-grade (3a or better).
- Avoid protected landscapes (AONBs, National Parks) unless strong justification exists.
- Consult with local communities early in the planning process.
Upcoming NSIP reforms (2025) will also streamline planning for large projects—while balancing landscape protections with net zero goals.
While concerns about food security and landscape preservation are valid, data shows that solar farms use relatively little land, and can often coexist with agriculture or enhance biodiversity. The key is thoughtful planning, smart siting, and community engagement.
Summary of Solar Farms in the UK
As the UK races to decarbonise its electricity grid by 2035, solar farms are no longer just an optional extra—they’re a core component of our clean energy transition. They offer fast, scalable, low-cost power that can be deployed across regions with minimal environmental disruption and major long-term benefits.
While debates around land use, planning, and visual impact continue, the data shows that solar farms require minimal space, are reversible, and can even enhance biodiversity when thoughtfully managed. With new tools like agrivoltaics and co-located battery storage, they’re becoming smarter, more efficient, and more integrated into the rural economy.
If the UK is serious about hitting its 70 GW solar target by 2035, solar farms must keep growing—not just in size but also in public trust, policy support, and technological integration. They represent one of the most immediate and impactful steps toward affordable, homegrown, and zero-carbon power.
FAQs – UK Solar Farms
What Is A Solar Farm?
A solar farm is a large-scale installation of ground-mounted solar panels that generate electricity for the National Grid. Unlike rooftop systems, these are commercial operations often covering multiple acres.
How Much Land Do Solar Farms Use in the UK?
Currently, all UK solar farms combined occupy less than 0.1% of the total land area. Even if the UK meets its 70 GW solar target by 2035, it would still use less than 0.3%, far less than agriculture or transport infrastructure.
Are Solar Farms Permanent?
No. Solar farms are considered temporary structures. They typically operate for 25–35 years and can be removed, and the land restored at the end of their lifespan.
Can Solar Farms Coexist with Farming?
Yes. Many solar farms use agrivoltaics to allow sheep grazing, beekeeping, or crop cultivation beneath the panels.
How Can I Find A Solar Farm Near Me?
You can use the interactive map above, check your local council’s planning portal, or consult the Renewable Energy Planning Database (REPD) published by the UK government.
Sources and References
GOV.UK – Renewable Energy Planning Database: quarterly extract
NESO – Britain’s Electricity Explained: 2024 Review
GOV.UK – Clean Power 2030 Action Plan: A new era of clean electricity
GOV.UK – Solar photovoltaics deployment
Planning Inspectorate – High Grove Solar Project Information
Solar Energy UK – Solar Habitat 2024
UK Parliament – Planning for solar farms
Solar Energy UK – Solar Farms and Agricultural Land Factsheet