Approval of UK’s second-largest solar farm ‘a step towards cheaper power’

8 July 2026

The UK has taken another step forward towards delivering cheaper, cleaner, homegrown power with the approval today of One Earth Solar Farm – the second largest granted planning consent so far.[1]

With a capacity of 740 megawatts, this project alone will account for over 1% of the 54-57 gigawatt solar target set in the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which will help to insulate the UK from volatile international gas prices, and further boost the UK’s growing ability to attract significant investment into new energy infrastructure, growing our economy and boosting jobs.

The project is led by Solar Energy UK members PS Renewables and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners.

The decision follows the Government’s approval of the 320-megawatt Peartree Solar Farm north of Hull and the 150MW Dean Moor Solar Farm in Cumbria last week. Taken together, the three projects will power the equivalent of 330,000 homes.[2,3]

So far, the largest project to have received planning consent is Springwell Solar Farm in Lincolnshire, which will have a capacity of 800MW.[4] Four even larger projects have been submitted for approval.

“Solar power at scale means cheap, clean, homegrown power, insulated from the global instability that has caused energy prices to rocket. Solar farms offer the cheapest power available – and the larger they are, the bigger the economies of scale. Every panel, whether on the ground or on rooftops, is a step towards to a better Britain, with an economy safeguarded from the whims of geopolitics,” said Solar Energy UK Chief Executive Chris Hewett.

Key Facts

·         The solar industry estimates that around 26 gigawatts of solar generation capacity is currently in place across the UK, with multiple gigawatts being installed every year.

·         More than 1.7 million UK homes already have solar panels fitted, part of over 2m smaller-scale installations.

·         Solar and battery storage support around 20,000 UK jobs today.

·         The sector contributes almost £1.9 billion to the economy annually (measured as gross value added).

·         By 2035, the sector could support around 43,000 jobs and contribute over £5 billion GVA.

·         Utility-scale solar provided around £61 million of additional farm income in 2024.

·         84% of the public support solar energy (Government polling).[5]

·         77% of the public support local solar farm development (SEUK polling).[6]

[1] Government approves UK’s second largest solar farm - DESNZ

[2] Peartree Hill Solar Farm development consent decision announced - DESNZ

[3] Dean Moor Solar Farm development consent decision announced – DESNZ

[4] Springwell Solar Farm development consent decision announced - DESNZ

[5] 2023: A Transformative Year for Solar – Solar Energy UK

[6] DESNZ Public Attitudes Tracker: Renewable energy, Spring 2026, UK