How much solar power does the UK have?

The UK has an installed solar capacity of 17 gigawatts (GW), as of July 2024, according to government data. If we measure that figure in 3kWp solar installations, it's the equivalent of 5.7 million systems. That’s a more than 18,000% increase since 2010, when the UK’s total solar capacity was just 0.0937GW.

Is the UK a good place to generate solar energy?

The UK is not known for its warm and sunny climate, so it may not seem an obvious country in which to generate solar energy. However, solar power generation only requires some level of daylight to extract the sun’s energy, meaning Britain can still harness solar power during our frequent overcast and rainy days.

Do solar panels work in the UK?

Since we are not blessed with a particularly sunny climate in the UK, solar panels are somewhat restricted to the amount of power they can generate. Although solar panels can still function on overcast and rainy days, their efficiency drops greatly during these times.

Will solar power help the UK's energy independence?

Homegrown, renewable energy projects including solar will help build the UK’s energy independence and reduce dependence on volatile fossil fuels – protecting consumer bills and providing clean power.

How many homes in the UK have solar panels?

1.4 million homes in the UK have solar panels, as of June 2024, according to government data. In 2010, there were just 28,211 solar households. That’s a 4,862% increase in 14 years. It took just three years to raise this number to 500,000, but another eight years after that to hit a million in 2021.

How can the solar industry help the UK's farmers?

The solar industry is also working closely with Britain’s farmers to reduce their energy costs and improve the sustainability of their operations. To meet the UK government’s net zero target, the Climate Change Committee estimates that between 75-90 gigawatts (GW) of solar power will be needed by 2050.