Households across the UK continue to embrace solar power as the government accelerates its clean power mission.
A record-breaking 269,000 solar installations were completed during 2025, making it the highest annual total ever achieved and representing a 37% increase compared with the previous year.
During April 2026 alone, approximately 23,000 additional solar systems were installed, with more than half of them fitted on residential properties, highlighting how households are increasingly choosing to generate their own electricity in the wake of the war in Iran.
Nine of the ten strongest months ever recorded for solar deployment have all occurred within the past year.
Across the UK, households are continuing to adopt solar energy at a rapid pace as the government pushes ahead with its clean power agenda to reduce the country's dependence on unpredictable fossil fuel markets following the outbreak of the war in Iran.
Government figures released today reveal that 2025 became the most successful year ever for solar deployment, with 269,000 installations completed throughout the UK. Around 255,000 of these systems were rooftop installations, meaning at least 95% of all newly installed solar capacity was placed on homes, commercial premises, and other buildings. The pace of deployment equated to one new rooftop solar installation every two minutes throughout the course of 2025.
The latest statistics for April 2026, also published today, show that nine of the ten highest-performing months on record have taken place over the last year. Nearly 23,000 new systems were installed during the month alone, with more than half consisting of rooftop solar on homes, demonstrating that increasing numbers of households are opting to produce their own electricity.
The latest achievement comes shortly after the UK exceeded 2 million total solar installations for the first time in March 2026, covering homes, community projects, and solar farms across the country. It also coincides with newly released annual government data indicating that the cost of purchasing and installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems has fallen by as much as 9%.
The continued expansion reflects increasing government investment in solar energy aimed at providing cleaner electricity while helping to reduce household energy bills. Rooftop solar can save families as much as £480 annually. As part of these efforts, the government has approved the Springwell Solar Farm, which is set to become the largest electricity-generating solar farm in UK history; it is also advancing the rollout of plug-in solar panels—low-cost units that families can install on balconies or other outdoor spaces—which are expected to become available in shops within months and help reduce electricity costs; and it is ensuring that solar panels become a standard feature on all new homes built in England.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:
"As we face a second fossil fuel crisis in 5 years, Britain is taking back control of their energy by generating more clean power than ever before. Record-breaking solar growth means greater energy security, lower exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets which we can’t control.
This is what our clean power mission looks like: backing homegrown energy, giving people more control over their bills, and building a stronger, more resilient energy system for the future."
Businesses alongside public sector organisations are also becoming part of Britain's expanding solar transition, reducing operating costs while improving the security of their energy supplies.
Numatic International, the company behind Henry the Hoover, has opened a new solar park that is expected to provide around 20% of the electricity required at its manufacturing facility in Somerset.
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has installed rooftop solar panels that are projected to reduce annual energy costs by around £9,500, while Wren Kitchens is constructing what is expected to become the UK's largest rooftop solar installation on a factory.
These latest projects add to the progress already made through Great British Energy's solar programme, with another 100 schools and colleges scheduled to receive rooftop solar installations during this year.
Solar deployment statistics: Solar photovoltaics deployment.
Solar cost information: Solar photovoltaic (PV) cost data.
Originally reported by GOV.UK on May 28, 2026.
