GB Energy to Significantly Expand Solar Rollout, But Is It Really Feasible?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Immediately following the 2025 Labour Party Conference at the end of September, the UK government announced plans to significantly expand their existing solar scheme to military sites, schools and hospitals across the country.

The scheme, which will bring solar panels to 15 military sites, approximately 50 more schools and over 70 further NHS sites, the government says, will see all cooperating sites save on their energy bills thanks to up to £75 million in funding from Great British Energy (GBE or GB Energy), bringing the total funding up to £255 million.

The expansion will see solar panels and small-scale wind systems installed across selected military sites, including training grounds and operational facilities. These upgrades aim to lower energy costs for public institutions, strengthen on-site energy resilience, and enable savings to be reinvested into essential services across the public sector.

This news comes following GBE’s first major project, launched earlier this year, which put forward £180 million to install solar panels on 200 schools and 200 NHS sites. These sites, where solar panels were installed as recently as March 2025, have already reported significant cost savings on their energy bills.

The solar rollout and its upcoming extension marks a substantial public investment not only in renewable energy infrastructure but also in public sector decarbonisation, reflecting a growing policy push to reduce energy costs for schools, hospitals, the military and other public bodies.

Is The Solar Rollout Feasible?

Inevitably, there are a number of risks & challenges associated with both the original rollout and the upcoming expansion that need to be considered, leaving critics questioning whether it’s entirely feasible?

For example, delivering large-scale solar on multiple public roofs involves navigating planning, architectural, and structural constraints that can be both costly and complex, and in fact, some buildings may not be fit for solar installations without additional modifications.

What’s more, The UK is still bound by National Grid restriction due to a desperate need for upgrading and therefore these constraints alongside the need for local approvals may slow parts of the rollout down, especially in regions with less infrastructure.

Finally, the funding is substantial but still finite; managing costs, procurement, and ensuring that the expected return on investment via energy savings is delivered will be critical and could be difficult if Grid restrictions or installation complexities see rising, unexpected costs.

Balancing Ambition with Delivery

There’s no doubt that the expansion of GBE’s solar programme represents a bold and positive step toward decarbonising public infrastructure. It signals intent, not only to cut emissions and energy costs but also to embed renewable generation into the UK’s everyday operations.

However, as with many large-scale public energy initiatives, the challenge lies in execution.

Delivering hundreds of installations across complex, operational sites will demand careful planning, robust project management, and strong collaboration between government departments, contractors, and the energy sector.

If the UK can overcome logistical and grid-related constraints, this rollout has the potential to set a new benchmark for public sector sustainability.

For companies such as PWCL, it highlights the crucial role of structured project delivery, risk management, and technical coordination in turning national clean energy ambitions into practical, long-term success.