UK solar power supplied 10% or less of installed capacity to the National Electricity Grid in the last year, according to union GMB.

New figures recently unveiled at the GMB Congress in Plymouth state that in the year from 01 June 2016, every one in three days was a low solar day.

With solar power generating (at most) 10% of energy needs throughout the year, the GMB said the UK must "face up to the fact that the UK's wind and solar fleets combined produce no electricity for more than half the time and they are a part of a balanced energy mix not a panacea".

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Justin Bowden, GMB National Secretary, said: "In the real world of the here and now we have to keep the lights turned on, homes heated and the economy functioning on the days when the wind doesn't blow and the sun doesn't shine.

"This means having a base load electricity capacity we can rely on until there is a breakthrough in large-scale, economically viable and reliable solar or wind power storage.

"Until there is a scientific breakthrough on carbon capture or solar storage, then nuclear and gas are the only reliable shows in town which those advocating a renewables only energy policy have to accept.

"The renewable energy suppliers cannot just shrug their shoulders on cloudy, windless days, or when it is dark, and pretend that wishful thinking will keep the lights on."

Mr Bowden added the GMB will publish a regular solar wind watch to assist with public debate.

The solar data was gathered from Sheffield Solar, a Sheffield University data resource on the photovoltaic industry funded and developed alongside nationalgrid.

(LM/MH)