Today the Department for Transport published plans to fund trials of two distinct and innovative solar technologies which could help decarbonise Britain’s railways and future-proof its roads.

Today the Department for Transport published plans to fund trials of two distinct and innovative solar technologies which could help decarbonise Britain's railways and future-proof its roads.

A project which sees solar panels used to directly power trains has won a share of a £1.75million pot allocated to carbon-cutting rail schemes [1], while two projects, in Buckinghamshire and Central Bedfordshire, are set to test the potential of solar at surface-level, receiving £4.49million and £1.05million respectively to trial solar roads and footways [2].
STA Chief Executive Chris Hewett said; "It is fantastic to see solar innovation being championed in the UK. This kind of leadership gives Britain the potential to be at the forefront of the clean, smart energy revolution. That said, it is imperative Government backs tried and tested renewable energy technologies too, and we hope that this is a sign of greater things to come in terms of support for solar, given the challenges facing the industry at present."

Background on the Solar Trade Association:
The mission of the Solar Trade Association is to empower the UK solar transformation. We are paving the way for solar to deliver the maximum possible share of UK energy by 2030 by enabling a bigger and better solar industry. We represent both solar heat and power, and have a proven track record of winning breakthroughs for solar PV and solar thermal.