A new solar power power generation milestone was reached in the UK last week, according to the National Grid.

As temperatures reached up to 28C in some areas, more than 8.75GW of power was produced through solar energy on Friday, equivalent to around 24.3% of total generation across the country.

Gareth Redmond-King, Head of Energy and Climate at WWF, said each record set by renewable power generation "generation is another welcome milestone towards a cleaner, greener future for the UK".

"Solar power and other renewables are getting cheaper and more efficient as we install more of it around the country," he said.

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"And it doesn't just power our homes, but also our economy, with almost a quarter of a million people now working in the low carbon energy sector.

"Whoever forms the next government after the election must prioritise a plan for reducing emissions from all sectors – electrifying our transport, and working towards more efficient homes and buildings  – with eight out of 10 British people in favour of clean energy, it is not only what the country needs, but is also what it wants."

Greenpeace UK's Head of energy, Hannah Martin, added the record provides a reminder what the Government could achieve if it reversed its cuts to support for solar and backed clean technologies "that could provide jobs, business opportunities and plentiful clean energy for decades to come".

"All around the world, solar power keeps beating new records as costs come down and power generation goes up," she said.

"In the US, more people were employed in generating electricity from solar last year than from coal, oil and gas combined. Britain cannot afford to miss out on the economic and environmental rewards of this energy revolution."

(LM)