Power for Nature is a joint initiative led by Lancaster University and the University of York to ensure the decarbonisation of electricity supply supports biodiversity and natural ecosystems. Our two institutions—Lancaster Environment Centre and the Department of Environment at York—ranked joint second in the latest Research Excellence Framework for impactful research, and together form a northern hub of research excellence grounded in social and environmental sustainability principles. In addition, we collaborate with a range of researchers within universities and institutes within the UK and internationally

Since forming in 2015, our partnership has delivered pioneering studies on the implications of land use change for renewable energy, developed decision-support tools for industry, and provided expert insights for policymakers. Our active engagement with industry, policymakers, and third-sector organisations plays a key role in our ability to drive meaningful changes in policy and practice, earning us international recognition.

Both universities host solar farms that support innovative research. Lancaster’s solar farm, currently under construction, includes an 11 MW east-west solar array and the UK's first 50 kW agrivoltaics research area. The solar farm and agrivoltaics area will provide a platform for research from engineering through to social science, engagement with the solar and agricultural industries and policy makers, and training.

Research on solar energy at the University of York ranges from fundamental research on new materials to optimise the performance of photovoltaic and photochemical devices in the Centre for Energy Efficient Materials to applied research on the natural capital impacts of solar in the York Environmental Sustainability Institute. The University is constructing a new experimental solar farm at its Institute for Safe Autonomy, which will provide a test bed for new developments in solar panel materials and configurations, as well as robotic inspection and maintenance.