Technical papers, economic analyses, policy documents and campaign briefings supporting the case for VBPV agrivoltaic systems in the UK solar pipeline.
This library brings together the key reference materials underpinning the Harvesting the Sun Twice campaign. Documents are grouped by subject area. External links open peer-reviewed papers, government publications, and industry guidance at source. Campaign documents are hosted on Google Drive.
Vertical Bifacial PV Performance in the UK Climate
Primary UK field data. Documents 19–22% annual energy advantage, +24.52% winter performance, and improved morning/evening generation profile over conventional tilted solar.
Grid Hosting Capacity & East-West PV Orientation
Demonstrates that east-west oriented VBPV systems increase grid hosting capacity by 46% compared to south-facing tilted installations, substantially reducing required grid reinforcement.
VBPV Inter-Row Spacing Analysis — UK Conditions
Technical analysis of optimal east-west row spacing for UK latitudes (50°N–58°N), covering shading geometry, agricultural machinery clearance, and seasonal irradiance trade-offs.
Battery Storage System Costs — Global Benchmark
Establishes $117/kWh global turnkey BESS cost — the corrected figure used in the campaign's £9.5–10.5bn BESS savings calculation, superseding DESNZ's $70/kWh misrepresentation.
How Cheap is Battery Storage? — Ember Analysis
Confirms $125/kWh all-in BESS cost. Used alongside BloombergNEF data to establish the £9.5–10.5bn BESS infrastructure savings range across the UK's 2,641-farm solar pipeline.
UK Pipeline Economic Analysis — VBPV vs TMPV
Full economic modelling of £25–35bn total system savings across the UK solar pipeline — covering BESS avoided costs, grid reinforcement savings, and revenue premium from peak-time generation.
VBPV Research Report — UK Climate Performance
Comprehensive research report on Vertical Bifacial PV performance in the UK climate — covering energy yield, seasonal variation, and grid alignment benefits.
Cottam Solar Farm — PVWatts TMPV vs VBPV Analysis
Site-specific PVWatts modelling for Cottam Solar Farm comparing Tilted Monofacial PV and Vertical Bifacial PV — energy yield, generation profile and financial analysis.
JPEA Vertical Solar Installation Guide — UK Edition
Japanese Photovoltaic Energy Association reference guide on vertical solar PV installation — structural, electrical and agronomic considerations. British English translation (2025, Edition 1).
Solar Energy 2025 — Global Deployment Report
Global solar energy deployment data for 2025 — providing market context for UK agrivoltaic expansion and technology adoption trends across leading solar markets.
Grid Upgrade Costs — UK Solar Roadmap Analysis
Analysis of grid reinforcement costs associated with the UK solar pipeline — quantifying whole-system savings achievable by switching from TMPV to VBPV technology.
UK Solar Roadmap
Government's strategic framework for solar deployment to 2035. Sets out the 70GW ambition and policy context within which the campaign operates — and against which VBPV arguments are framed.
Biodiversity Net Gain & UK Renewable Energy
Legal analysis of mandatory BNG requirements for solar developments — including NSIPs from November 2025. Covers how agrivoltaic systems with wildflower strips can deliver the 10% uplift on-site.
VBPV Planning Representation — Template
Model representation for submission to local planning authorities and DCO examinations. Covers energy output, agricultural compatibility, BNG, and grid infrastructure arguments in planning policy language.
Spatial Potential for Agrivoltaics in the UK
GIS-based spatial analysis of UK agrivoltaic potential. Quantifies suitable agricultural land area and models energy yield and food production trade-offs across different system configurations.
Specialist Crop Outreach Matrix
Analysis of VBPV compatibility across 12 UK crop sectors — including cereals, root vegetables, brassicas, and soft fruit. Covers light requirements, machinery access, and agri-environment scheme eligibility.
Pollinator Biodiversity at UK Solar Parks
Surveys of 15 UK solar parks recording 1,400+ individual pollinators from 30+ species. Shows solar parks with diverse flowering vegetation function as critical refuges in intensive arable landscapes.
VBPV Wildlife Strips — Briefing for Planning Authorities
Evidence briefing for local planning authorities on pollinator habitat, natural pest control, and BNG delivery through wildflower strips beneath and alongside VBPV panel rows. Covers planning conditions and monitoring requirements.
Strategic Case for Agrivoltaics in the UK
Strategic overview of agrivoltaic systems in UK agriculture — covering food security, farm income diversification, and the policy context for VBPV deployment alongside arable and horticultural crops.
Clean Power 2030 Action Plan
The government's plan for decarbonising the electricity system by 2030. Sets the 95GW renewable target context and the grid reform agenda within which VBPV's infrastructure-saving advantages are most relevant.
Open Letters to DESNZ — VBPV Grid Savings Evidence
Series of four formal letters to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero presenting the corrected BESS cost data and £25–35bn total system savings case. Response deadline 23/03/2026.
Campaign Overview Briefing
Single-document summary of the Harvesting the Sun Twice campaign — suitable for sharing with developers, planners, MPs, and media contacts unfamiliar with VBPV technology.
VBPV vs TMPV — Technical Comparison Briefing
Side-by-side technical and economic comparison of Vertical Bifacial PV and conventional Tilted Monofacial PV across energy output, agricultural compatibility, grid impact, biodiversity, and planning performance.
Economic Analysis Methodology
Full methodology behind the £25–35bn system savings figure — covering BESS cost assumptions, pipeline data sources, grid reinforcement modelling, and corrections to DESNZ's superseded cost figures.
VBPV Policy Briefing — 47 GW Solar Target & Food Security
Comprehensive policy briefing setting out the case for VBPV agrivoltaic systems — covering the evidence base, BESS Paradox, three strategic levers, and the £161–187 billion whole-system saving. Designed for MPs, planners, developers and policy teams.
Template Letter — To Your MP or Planning Officer
A ready-to-use template letter for members of the public to send to their MP or local planning officer, requesting that VBPV agrivoltaic technology be required in solar farm applications. Includes fill-in fields, key facts, and two versions — one for MPs, one for planning officers.
VBPV Wildlife Strips & Biodiversity Net Gain — Briefing for Planning Authorities
Briefing note for planning authorities on the biodiversity and BNG benefits of VBPV agrivoltaic systems — covering wildflower strip integration, pollinator habitat, and how vertical bifacial installations compare to conventional TMPV for mandatory BNG compliance.
UK Duck Curve Analysis — VBPV Grid Stability Impact
Technical analysis of the Duck Curve phenomenon on the UK grid and the 57% reduction in Duck Curve severity delivered by VBPV east-west generation profiles versus conventional TMPV midday peaks. Includes demand correlation modelling and National Grid ESO data.
Planning Representation Template — Objection to TMPV Technology
A ready-to-use template for submitting formal planning representations on solar farm applications. Covers six grounds of objection with policy basis (NPPF, EIA Regs, Environment Act), formal requests to the planning authority, and a full evidence reference list. Download and complete with your local application details.