Solar Power in the UK: Bright Prospects for a Greener Future
The UK's solar energy landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation since its inception in the early 2010s. From a modest 93.7mW capacity in 2010, the nation has made significant strides in harnessing the power of the sun. As we delve into the current state of solar energy in the UK, we'll explore recent developments, notable projects, and the promising outlook for this renewable energy source.
A Decade of Exponential Growth
The introduction of the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme in 2010 marked a turning point for solar adoption in the UK. This incentive program catalysed a solar revolution, leading to an astonishing 18,000% increase in installed capacity by 2024. The journey from 93.7MW in 2010 to over 16GW by 2024 showcases the UK's commitment to renewable energy.
2024: A Year of Steady Progress
Capacity Milestones
In 2024, the UK's solar industry continued its upward trajectory:
Total capacity reached 17.6GW by year-end, a 7.5% increase from the previous year.
New installations added 1.2GW to the grid.
By August 2024, the UK surpassed the 16GW milestone, hitting 16,973.1MW.
Installation Boom
The year saw a significant number of new solar installations:
190,641 new solar systems were installed across the UK.
The second half of 2024 was particularly active, with 100,824 installations.
Regional Solar Champions
South Cambridgeshire emerged as the UK's solar powerhouse, boasting the highest installed capacity at 27.6MW. Close behind were Torridge and West Devon, each with 23.1MW of solar capacity. These regions exemplify the growing adoption of solar technology across diverse geographical areas.
Comparing 2024 to Previous Years
While 2024 showed steady growth, it's important to contextualise its performance:
The 1.2GW added in 2024 was slightly lower than the 1.4GW recorded in 2023.
2024's annual capacity addition ranked fifth highest on record.
From February 2023 to February 2024, there was a significant increase of 874MW or 5.9% in total solar capacity.
Residential Solar: Powering British Homes
The residential sector has been a key driver of solar adoption:
As of December 2024, 1.4 million UK homes have solar panels installed.
This represents a staggering 4,862% increase from just 28,211 solar households in 2010.
Experts predict the UK will reach 1.5 million solar-powered homes in early 2025.
Government Support and Future Targets
The UK government has set ambitious goals for solar deployment:
The target is to achieve 45GW or more of deployed solar by 2030.
This goal is part of the broader plan to decarbonise Great Britain's electricity grid by 2030.
Recent policy decisions have bolstered the solar industry:
In early 2025, the government granted development consent to two major projects: Heckington Fen Solar Park and West Burton Solar Project.
These projects will add nearly 1GW of solar capacity to the UK's energy mix.
Challenges and Opportunities
While the solar industry in the UK has shown remarkable growth, there are still challenges to overcome:
The pace of deployment must accelerate to meet the government's 2030 targets.
Upcoming regulations, such as the Future Homes Standard, may influence the rate of domestic solar installations.
However, opportunities abound:
Public support for solar energy remains high, with 82% of the public backing solar panel adoption.
The commercial rooftop sector shows stability and potential for growth.
Large-scale ground-mount installations are driving significant capacity additions.
The Road Ahead
As we look to the future, the UK solar industry appears poised for continued growth:
Forecasts suggest the UK solar market will grow by about 1.5-2GW in the coming year.
The ground-mount sector is particularly promising, with approximately 3GW under construction.
Increased solar adoption could create more than 42,000 new jobs by 2030.
Get in touch
At Atlantic Renewables, we're excited about the bright future of solar energy in the UK. If you're considering joining the solar revolution or have questions about how solar can benefit your home or business, our team of experts is here to help. With our deep understanding of the latest industry trends and technologies, we can guide you through every step of the solar installation process. Call us on 0161 207 4044 and let our engineers show you how to harness the power of the sun for a greener, more sustainable future.
