For years, the assumption has been, wrongly, that Scotland should benefit from other renewable energy sources over solar due to the perceived lack of suitability in the country’s weather conditions.

SES said it has long campaigned to debunk this myth. Its policy agenda recognises that solar has vast, untapped potential and can bolster the power of wind to make more effective use of the electricity grid and storage network.

Thomas McMillan, chair of Solar Energy Scotland, said: “For too long, the potential of solar in Scotland has been overlooked. We hope this motion will help the technology receive the recognition it deserves in parliament and shine a light on the policy changes that the sector needs to accelerate solar deployment in Scotland so that we catch up with the rest of Europe”.

“Those that still doubt Solar’s potential in Scotland might be surprised to learn that enough solar energy hits the surface of the island of Hoy each year, to provide the entire country’s energy needs for power, heat and transport.”

Given that solar is now the cheapest form of electricity and can be deployed at all scales, we believe it has a central role in supporting an affordable energy mix and a just transition. Therefore, we call upon the Scottish government to address the urgent need to scale solar deployment to meet its ambitious net-zero targets.

Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn constituency, added: “Scotland’s solar energy can, and should, play a key role in providing electricity. Now is the time to make practical progress to that aim. I hope to bring this matter forward to the Scottish Parliament for debate soon.”

SES argues that Scotland must adopt the necessary policies to embrace this low cost, mature technology to help tackle climate change and provide investment and jobs in communities across the country.