UK’s rooftop solar PV success depends on smarter grid management, says EA Technology

The UK's new scheme to mandate rooftop solar panels on new homes is a positive development for net zero, but without proper grid monitoring, modelling and investment, it risks technical issues and hampers fair access to clean energy.

The government’s plans to mandate rooftop solar panels for all new build homes under the upcoming future homes standard have been widely welcomed as a step forward for achieving the UK’s net zero goals. However, while the benefits to consumers and the climate are clear, Ben Taylor, net zero consultancy team lead at EA Technology, points out the long term implications of an increase in large scale rooftop solar deployment across the UK on last mile electricity distribution grids. 

In particular, Ben warns that without proper monitoring and modelling of distribution grids, these benefits could come at a cost.

He explained, ‘Rooftop solar can play a vital role in decarbonising the UK’s energy system. However, we need to also ensure that our local last mile electricity networks, particularly low voltage infrastructure, can manage the volume and variability of solar generation that new homes could soon produce. 

‘If small groups of houses are built without upgrades to local infrastructure, there is a real risk of voltage issues. Electric vehicle charge points, for instance, are extremely sensitive to voltage. High levels of solar export could trigger a spiral effect where voltage keeps rising, causing devices to trip or fail altogether.’

Ben continued, ‘A key part of the solution lies in active monitoring, forecasting and responsive grid management. Accurate in-depth visibility of what is happening in real time on last mile distribution networks will help operators and enable them to take a proactive approach to planning for the future.

‘This includes modelling how energy will be used within different demographics, installing smart transformers that can adjust voltages dynamically, and putting the right upgrades in place before the pressure builds.’

He went on, ‘Beyond the technical concerns, the issue of fairness must also be considered. As rooftop solar becomes more common in new housing developments, there is a risk that lower income households, particularly those in flats or older properties, could be left behind.

‘People who can afford to buy new homes will benefit from lower energy bills. But if they are also contributing less to the shared costs of maintaining the network, everyone else could end up paying more. Unfortunately, this means there is a real possibility of deepening social divides in access to affordable clean energy.’

Ben also points to emerging commercial models, such as smart local energy systems (SLES), which could help manage decentralised energy more efficiently at a local level. But he warned that collaboration and forward planning are essential.

‘If we get it right, we could enable things like micro balancing of local grids, battery sharing and new service providers to help manage the flow of energy. But that will only work if everyone involved, including developers and regulators, are aligned from the start,’ he explained.

‘We are continuing to explore these challenges through forecasting future network investment and identifying where action is most urgently needed. The UK is pushing forward with solar adoption, and rightly so, but it is clear that infrastructure investment, fairness, and flexibility will be just as important in this transition.’