But it could also accelerate the UK’s rooftop solar revolution by assisting businesses and landlords with installing solar panels and batteries on commercial buildings – not only offices and warehouses, but shopping centres, transport hubs (such as railway stations and airports) and car parks.

The UK can follow the example of the French and German governments with legislation that provides companies and landlords with a guaranteed price for selling unused solar power back to energy providers, but in a way that avoids paying compensation during times of negative pricing due to solar over-production.

There is huge untapped potential in the UK to do more with commercial and industrial solar. For example, of the UK’s 30 largest shopping centres, just eight have solar installed. And of the 334 shopping centres and retail parks nationwide that Longevity Power has analysed, 48 – less than 15% – have solar installed.

Rooftop solar on offices and industrial buildings is proven to cut tenants’ and landlords’ energy bills and can make an important contribution to the effort to reduce emissions, achieve net zero and boost energy independence and security.

The government’s funding via GB Energy for solar for the public sector, across schools and hospitals, shows its commitment.

But many clean energy projects, especially those over 1MW, are delayed or in limbo due to grid connection limitations, including buildings with large roofs.

GB Energy needs to determine early in the grant application process whether projects are designed for onsite consumption or to export energy to the grid. Projects with minimal grid impact, such as schools and hospitals, should get under way quickly and start benefiting sooner.

We also need to see a strong commitment to battery storage. Batteries don’t just store excess solar; they ease pressure on the grid and create flexibility in when and how power is used.