The i Paper reports that Reform UK has spent thousands of pounds of taxpayer money opposing solar farm developments, a campaign that has so far failed to stop a single project. The party’s legal challenges and planning objections have cost an estimated £100,000 in public funds, according to documents seen by the newspaper.
As reported by The i Paper, Reform’s strategy has involved submitting hundreds of objections to local planning authorities, many of which were rejected as frivolous. The party’s leader has described solar farms as a ‘blight on the countryside’ and claimed they threaten food security.
Who pays for the opposition
The cost of these objections falls on local councils, which must allocate staff time and legal resources to process them. Those costs are ultimately met by council taxpayers. In one case, a single objection cost the public purse £12,000 in legal fees, according to the report. Meanwhile, the solar farm developers have continued to secure planning permissions, with the government approving 14 new solar farms in the past year alone.
The irony is that solar farms are among the cheapest forms of new electricity generation. Ofgem data shows that large-scale solar can produce electricity at around £40 per MWh, compared to £80 per MWh for gas. That saving is passed on to households through lower wholesale prices, which the Energy Saving Trust estimates can cut the average annual bill by £50-£100 once solar reaches 10% of the grid mix.
What this means for your EPC and bills
For UK homeowners, the solar farm debate misses a more immediate opportunity: rooftop solar. A typical 4kW system on a south-facing roof costs £6,000-£8,000 and can save £400-£600 a year on electricity bills. It also lifts an EPC rating from a D to a C, sometimes even a B, which can add £5,000-£10,000 to a home’s value.
The catch is that planning permission is not needed for most rooftop installations, yet only 4% of UK homes have solar panels. The government’s Smart Export Guarantee pays households for surplus electricity at around 5-7p per kWh, but many homeowners are unaware of it. Community solar schemes, where households buy a share in a local solar farm and receive bill credits, are another route, but they remain niche.
Why the political noise matters to your wallet
But the political opposition has a chilling effect. When parties like Reform campaign against solar, they create uncertainty that deters investment in both large and small projects. That slows the deployment of renewable capacity, keeping wholesale prices higher than they need to be. The government’s own climate advisers have warned that the UK must triple its solar capacity by 2035 to meet net-zero targets and keep bills affordable.
What this misses is that solar farms and farming can coexist. Sheep graze between panels, and the land can be restored to arable use after the 25-30 year lifespan. The Soil Association has endorsed agrivoltaics as a model that supports biodiversity and food production simultaneously.
What to do next
Homeowners should not wait for the political noise to settle. Check your roof orientation and shading using the Solar Energy UK tool. Get quotes from three MCS-certified installers via the Energy Saving Trust’s directory. If you rent or cannot install panels, look for a local community energy scheme, 60 now operate across the UK, offering shares from £250. The government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme also offers a £7,500 grant for heat pumps, which pair well with solar. Act before the next price cap rise in October.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Solar farms reduce wholesale electricity prices, which lowers bills for all households. Ofgem estimates that each 1% of grid electricity from solar cuts average bills by 0.5%. Community solar schemes can also offer direct savings.
Yes, but objections must be based on valid planning grounds such as visual impact or traffic. Frivolous objections waste council resources and taxpayer money. Check your local authority's planning portal for guidance.
