Research Foundation

Research Sources & References

All claims and projections on this website are grounded in peer-reviewed research, government data, and industry analysis. This page provides complete citations and methodology transparency.

Peer-Reviewed Research

Primary UK Study

Badran, G., & Dhimish, M. (2024). "Comprehensive study on the efficiency of vertical bifacial photovoltaic systems: a UK case study."

Scientific Reports, 14, 18380.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-68018-1

Key Findings Used:

Annual energy output: 119-122% of TMPV (University of York 2024)
Winter generation: 125% of TMPV (24.52% higher output)
Morning peak energy capture: +26.91% higher daily energy
Evening peak energy capture: +22.88% higher daily energy
Duck curve severity: 57% less severe than TMPV
Seasonal variations: Spring 19.32%, Summer 14.77%, Autumn 20.27%, Winter 24.52%

Nordic Research

Joutijärvi, S., Karimpour, M., Santamouris, M., Hasan, A., & Vuorinen, V. (2023). "A comprehensive methodological workflow to maximize solar energy in low-voltage grids: A case study of vertical bifacial panels in Nordic conditions."

Solar Energy, 262, 111819.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2023.111819

Key Findings Used:

Grid hosting capacity increase: +46%
Reduced overvoltage risk from distributed generation timing
Better load matching reduces voltage fluctuations

University of Turku (Finland) & Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). (2022). "Benefits of bifacial solar cells combined with low voltage power grids at high latitudes."

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, March 2022.

Key Findings Used:

Grid infrastructure savings: £600M-£1,150M
15-20% cost reduction in total solar deployment costs
Reduced need for grid reinforcement

Agricultural & Agrivoltaic Research

Riaz, M. H., Imran, H., Younas, R., Alam, M. A., & Butt, N. Z. (2021). "Module technology for agrivoltaics: Vertical bifacial versus tilted monofacial farms."

IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, 11(2), 469-477.

https://doi.org/10.1109/JPHOTOV.2020.3048225

Key Findings Used:

95-100% agricultural productivity maintained with vertical configurations
10-12m row spacing allows full machinery access
Minimal ground coverage (<5%) from vertical mounting posts

Additional Source: Next2Sun field study data - Operational agrivoltaic installations demonstrating maintained agricultural productivity with standard farming equipment.

Biodiversity Research

Copping, J., Dadam, D., Saunders, P., Christie, A., & Hawkins, S. (2025). "Solar farm management influences breeding bird responses in an arable-dominated landscape."

Bird Study (RSPB/University of Cambridge).

Key Findings Used:

Up to 3× bird abundance on well-managed solar farm sites vs intensive farming
Management practices critical to biodiversity outcomes
Mixed-habitat solar farms can support diverse bird communities

UK Government & Industry Data Sources

UK Renewable Energy Planning Database (REPD)

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)

Source for pipeline data: 1,546 ground-mounted solar projects (35.7 GW) under construction, awaiting construction, or in planning as of December 2024.

View REPD Database

National Grid Future Energy Scenarios

National Grid ESO

UK energy demand patterns, grid infrastructure requirements, and renewable energy integration scenarios.

View FES Reports

DESNZ Solar Roadmap

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

UK government solar deployment targets and policy framework for renewable energy expansion.

View Solar Roadmap

Ofgem Market Data

Office of Gas and Electricity Markets

Electricity wholesale prices, grid balancing costs, and infrastructure investment data.

View Market Data

Economic Analysis Methodology

For detailed information on how economic projections were calculated, including assumptions, sensitivity analysis, and calculation methods, please see our methodology page.

View Methodology Documentation