Renewable energy is at the forefront of the UK’s commitment to achieving its legally binding net zero target. Sources like solar energy will help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and build the UK’s energy independence.
In October 2024, the government’s reactivated Solar Taskforce held its first meeting, focusing on expanding solar energy initiatives and scaling up solar installations across the UK. This aims to accelerate action towards the 2030 clean power mission, which seeks to decarbonize the power sector.
But how many homes in the UK have solar panels, and is your region on board?
Quick Takeaways:
- Over 1.6 million homes have solar panels in the UK
- 72% of the new solar panels were installed on residential buildings in September 2024
- The South and East of England regions lead in solar panel installations
- Factors affecting the number of homes with solar panels include sunshine, homeownership, upfront costs, available space, house type, and planning restrictions
How Many UK Households Have Installed Solar?
National statistics published by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) show that by the end of September 2024, there were 1,641,275 solar installations across the UK. This translates to a total of 17.1 GW (Gigawatts) of solar capacity, with the bulk of it in residential buildings.
Installation numbers have gradually exceeded pre-pandemic levels after a sharp drop in 2020 due to lockdown measures. The statistics show a median of over 15,000 monthly installations over the past 12 months, with over 196,000 installations coming online throughout 2023.
How Have Adoption Rates Changed Over Time?
The share of domestic solar panel capacity has increased significantly in the past decade, driven by falling costs, technological advancements, and government incentives.
The introduction of the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme in 2010 successfully stimulated market and consumer adoption by paying solar panel owners for the electricity they generate and export. With lucrative payments under FiT, solar installations boomed and peaked in 2015.
However, the installation numbers declined from 2016 as the government reduced FiT rates and funding for the scheme. The scheme was officially closed to new applicants in 2019. Domestic capacity share dropped and has lingered at or below 25% since 2016.
It has crept back up over the last 18 months, driven by a surge in solar panel installations. Deployment data shows that 72% of the new schemes were installed on a residential building in September 2024.
The figure below shows how UK solar capacity has changed over time:
Which Parts of the UK Have the Most Solar Panels?
The South West and East of England regions lead in solar panel installations, and it’s no surprise, given the amount of sunshine these areas receive.
Deployment data shows that by June 2024, South Cambridgeshire had the highest number of solar panel installations, reaching 7,337 in total and generating over 27 MW.
Peterborough was second, with a total of 7,161 installations and a capacity of over 22 MW. Tiverton and Honiton follow with 5,911 installations and a capacity of over 21 MW. These are followed by regions like Torridge and West Devon, Central Devon, North Cornwall, and South Norfolk, all with installation numbers above 5,500.
The table below shows areas in the UK with the highest number of solar panel installations:
| Area | Installed Capacity | Number of Installations |
| South Cambridgeshire | 27.6 | 7,337 |
| Peterborough | 22.3 | 7,161 |
| Tiverton and Honiton | 21.8 | 5,911 |
| Torridge and West Devon | 23.1 | 5,764 |
| Central Devon | 22.8 | 5,682 |
| North Cornwall | 22.9 | 5,681 |
| South Norfolk | 22.9 | 5,657 |
Which Parts of the UK Have the Least Solar Panels?
Data from the Energy Savings Trust shows that urban areas have the lowest density of domestic solar panels.
More people in urban areas like London live in flats than the national average, making it challenging to install solar panels. Most of those who live in such areas are also renters, meaning they need permission and support from their landlords to install solar panels.
The bottom five areas with the least solar panels in the UK are all in London. These include Westminster North, Poplar and Limehouse, Kensington, Bethnal Green and Bow, and Bermondsey and Old Southwark.
Another factor in the low rates in urban areas is high installation costs. Due to higher operational and labour costs, the cost of installing solar panels in areas like London is significantly higher than in Wales or the North East.
What Factors Affect the Number of Homes with Solar Panels in the UK?
Sunshine Availability
The sunnier the climate in a particular region, the more energy solar panels can generate. Homes in areas with a high PV power potential are more likely to have solar panels installed. The availability of sunlight across regions and frequent rain or snow can impact how homeowners view solar and influence adoption.
The photovoltaic (PV) power potential considers factors like the amount of sunshine, shading from nearby terrain, and the average air temperature of an area.
High Upfront Costs
The initial expense of purchasing and installing solar panels is one of the biggest barriers. Although prices have dropped significantly over the past decade, the upfront investment can still be a deterrent for many households.
Limited or unaffordable financing options can also reduce accessibility. Access to solar loans, grants, leasing programs, or power purchase agreements (PPAs) can influence adoption rates.
Homeownership
Homeowners can make significant changes to their houses, like installing solar panels. This is essential because installing solar panels can be more challenging if you’re renting. It’s up to the landlord to change the property, and the benefit will go to tenants.
Areas in the UK with the most domestic solar panels have at least two-thirds of the population as homeowners.
Available Space
Space availability can influence the number of homes with solar panels. Areas with more detached and semi-detached homes will have more suitable rooftops for installing solar panels.
Regions with larger houses or lower housing density, such as suburban or rural areas, have more space for solar panels. This makes installations easier and more worthwhile.
House Type
Flats and smaller homes are less likely to have solar panels due to challenges caused by space constraints and shared ownership. Large urban areas like London, where more people live in flats, have low numbers of domestic solar panels.
Installing solar panels on flats can be more complicated because it will depend on who owns the building’s roof.
Planning Restrictions
Local authorities regulate the installation of solar panels differently, and planning regulations can be a barrier to domestic installations. People living in regions with strict planning requirements, like those with listed properties or historical sites, can face more hurdles when obtaining the required permissions.
Rural areas usually have fewer constraints than urban areas. If you live in places like London, additional considerations may be necessary due to a building’s architectural or historical significance.
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- Best Solar Panels
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What Are the Drivers of Solar Panel Adoption in the UK?
Economic Incentives and Financial Savings
The financial benefits of solar energy are one of the primary motivators for adoption. Over the years, several incentives and market developments have made solar installations more affordable and lucrative:
- Smart Export Guarantee (SEG): Introduced in 2019, this program allows solar panel owners to sell excess electricity back to the grid. Payments vary by energy supplier but provide an additional income stream for households, offsetting installation costs over time.
- Reduced Installation Costs: Solar panel prices have dropped by approximately 80% since 2010, making them increasingly affordable. Advances in manufacturing and economies of scale have significantly lowered the financial barrier.
- Energy Savings: Homes with solar panels can save hundreds of pounds annually on electricity bills by generating their power. Systems with battery storage enhance these savings by allowing users to store energy for use during peak demand or cloudy days.
- Government Support: Reduced VAT on solar panels and grants for energy-efficient upgrades make solar systems more accessible to a broader demographic.
Rising Energy Prices
The volatility of energy markets and rising electricity costs have pushed consumers to seek more stable and affordable energy solutions. Solar panels provide long-term energy security by reducing reliance on external energy providers.
In recent years, spikes in energy prices have made the cost savings from solar systems even more appealing. Government data shows that changes in energy prices increased the number of households living in fuel poverty by around 238,000 between 2022 and 2023.
Solar panels can help protect households from changes in energy prices since they don’t completely rely on the grid for electricity. They offer energy independence, which is especially appealing during market uncertainty and rising energy prices.
Environmental Awareness
Concerns about climate change and the UK’s ambitious net-zero emissions target by 2050 have fueled a surge in renewable energy adoption. Solar power is a clean, renewable energy source and a tangible way for individuals and businesses to reduce their carbon footprint.
When you have solar panels, you don’t have to rely on energy generated from non-renewable sources. According to the Energy Savings Trust, a typical home solar panel can save around one tonne of carbon annually, depending on where you live in the UK.
Growing awareness of climate change and the harmful effects of fossil fuels has motivated more households to seek cleaner alternatives like solar power. More people are now prioritising sustainability in their choices, including how they power their homes.
How Does Solar Panel Uptake in the UK Compare with Other Countries?
Despite progress in solar adoption rates, the UK still lags behind leading countries in Europe and the rest of the world.
The UK is still far behind where it could be compared to other European countries. Only around 6% of UK households have solar, versus 25% in the Netherlands, 22% in Belgium, and 9% in Switzerland and Austria.
Germany leads Europe in solar energy adoption in absolute terms and per capita. It aims to nearly double its capacity to 100 GW by 2030, supported by robust policies like feed-in tariffs and consistent government commitment. Cash incentives for installing solar panels in Germany are almost double those offered in the UK.
China has the highest number of installations globally, with the total installed power generation capacity reaching 3.16 TW by the end of September 2024.
Are More Homes Likely to Adopt Solar Panels?
More homeowners in the UK are likely to adopt solar panels. A report by Solar Energy UK shows that solar energy is very popular and that public support levels are consistently high. An impressive 90% of the public supports solar, making it the most popular form of renewable energy in the UK.
Most homeowners consider installing solar panels the third most significant home improvement priority after fitting a new bathroom, kitchen, or windows.
A 2023 DESNZ report shows that 70% of people living in owner-occupied homes are considering installing solar panels in the next few years.
Additionally, the Future Homes Standard, which comes into effect in 2025, requires all newly built homes to produce 75 to 80% less carbon emissions than homes built under the current building regulations and be zero-carbon ready. Solar panels can significantly contribute to meeting these targets.
Installing solar panels in these new homes ensures that more people can generate clean electricity without carbon emissions while reducing their energy bills. Homes with solar panels will be well-positioned for a future where the national grid is fully decarbonized, as they already produce renewable energy locally.
They’ll also contribute to the nation’s net zero goals and add as much as 6GW of clean, cheap electricity to the national grid.
Final Thoughts
More homes in the UK are installing solar panels, with the current number reaching over 1.6 million installations. Homes in the South and East of England lead in the number of residential solar panel installations.
Factors such as a sunnier climate, homeownership, available space, house type, and planning restrictions impact the number of homes in the UK with solar panels.
Sources and References
- https://www.gov.uk/government/news/solar-taskforce-meets-in-drive-for-clean-power
- https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/solar-photovoltaics-deployment
- https://solarenergyuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Briefing-Energy-Security-Strategy-2022.pdf
- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6509ed08a41cc30014561443/DESNZ_PAT_Summer_23_Heat_and_energy_in_the_home.pdf