Caroline Ansell chaired a virtual solar summit in Parliament this week.
The event was part of Caroline’s interest in renewable energy as she continues to explore the use of rooftops across the town to site solar panels in one of the country’s sunniest locations.
Organised by the Conservative Environment Network, several industry experts and MPs and former ministers attended.
All recognised the important role solar can play in the decarbonisation of the energy grid and to provide energy security.
Solar energy is one of the cheapest forms of energy on the market, along with offshore wind. The Government’s Energy Security Strategy commits to a five-fold increase in solar production.
Also at the meeting was OHM Energy from Eastbourne. It is working with East Sussex College to develop a T-level course on renewable technology.
“This was a really positive meeting where the opportunities and issues around solar were aired,” said Caroline.
“I am certainly not dissuaded from the idea that we could harness the rooftops across our town for solar panels to help keep energy costs low and secure our supplies.
“However, the meeting heard a limiting factor in production is the lack of trained operatives. This really is preventing a speedy expansion.
“It then really helpful to hear from Paul Vince of OHM Energy about the development of a new T-Level renewable energy course at East Sussex College.
“I promised I would raise the need for more skilled workers with the Government in order to realise the ambitions of solar power in the UK.”
