Solar Power Passes Coal-Fired Electricity in U.K.

In a first for renewable energy in the United Kingdom, Solar Power accounted for more electricity than what was produced in Coal plants

1 minute read

October 10, 2016, 7:00 AM PDT

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Solar Power

Marco Prati / Shutterstock

In the six months between April and September, U.K. solar panels produced 10 percent more power than the countries coal burning plants, according to a report from the Carbon Brief. Ian Johnston of The Independent reports, "The figures represent a dramatic turnaround in the UK’s electricity supplies."

The story goes on to explain that coal is likely to overtake solar again as the days shrink in the winter months, and that the solar industry faces challenges in the form of government cuts, and inconsistent energy policy.

At the same time "solar capacity nearly doubled in 2015." There will be a cost to maintaining that infrastructure, but the number of people who are now financially tied to this industry through their jobs, innovations in energy storage, the 750,000 U.K. homes with solar panels on their roofs and the growth of solar worldwide suggest that this trend can be slowed but not stopped.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016 in Independent (UK)

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Hot air balloons rise over Downtown Boise with the State Capitol building visible amidst the high rises.

The Five Most-Changed American Cities

A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

April 23, 2025 - GoodMigrations

People biking along beach path with moored ship in San Diego, California.

San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan

The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.

1 hour ago - SD News

Sleeping in Public

Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts

Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.

2 hours ago - KSL

Conductor walks down platform next to Amtrak train at station in San Jose, California.

Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement

An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.

3 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA