UK solar capacity has officially surpassed 20 GW, a landmark achievement driven by rapid growth in the renewables sector and significant investments in clean energy technologies.
UK Solar Capacity Growth Surpasses a Milestone
The United Kingdom has achieved a major milestone in its renewable energy journey, officially surpassing 20 GW of installed solar capacity in 2025. This significant accomplishment was confirmed after 15 new projects, supported by the government’s Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, came online in the first three quarters of the year. The latest data from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) had previously shown the UK at 18.9 GW, with the recent surge pushing the nation over the crucial threshold.
This milestone has been reached just 18 years after the UK’s first major solar installation, the 4.7 MW Toyota plant, was commissioned in 2007. Since then, the UK’s solar capacity has grown exponentially, with a particularly rapid expansion occurring between 2013 and 2016, spurred by strong policy support.
The Journey to Expand UK Solar Capacity
The UKโs path to 20 GW demonstrates a remarkable acceleration in clean energy adoption. The first gigawatt (GW) was reached by 2011, and growth continued at a blistering pace. By 2013, the UK had installed 3 GW of solar, which then tripled to 9 GW by 2015, largely due to the popularity of the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme that incentivised smaller-scale installations. The nation surpassed 10 GW by 2016 and 15 GW by 2021, culminating in this year’s 20 GW achievement.
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This impressive growth is driven by a combination of new utility-scale solar farms and rooftop installations, alongside upgrades to existing sites with more efficient panels and inverters. The success of this expansion hinges on an increasingly sophisticated supply chain, from the sourcing of solar panel raw materials to the advanced solar panel manufacturing process that produces the technology. Understanding the basics of solar panel manufacturing reveals how innovation has made this rapid deployment possible.
Continued Growth and Future Prospects for UK Solar Capacity
The solar industry is not stopping at 20 GW. The UK Government has set an ambitious official target of 70 GW of solar capacity by 2035. To meet this goal, the nation will need to install approximately 5 GW of new solar capacity every year. Industry forecasts align with this ambition, predicting that UK solar capacity could triple from 20.2 GW in 2024 to 68.4 GW by 2035.
This solar expansion is a core component of the UK’s broader renewable energy strategy, which projects total renewable capacity will rise from 61 GW in 2024 to 172.7 GW by 2035. To manage this influx of intermittent power, the UK is also heavily investing in grid integration technologies like Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), which are crucial for ensuring stability and flexibility. The UK’s influence extends beyond its borders, with British expertise and finance playing a role in global projects, as seen when the UK partners Poland on 390MW Turkish solar project. This progress positions the UK as a leader in Europe, outpacing the development in neighbouring markets like Ireland and setting a benchmark for decarbonisation.
Solar Energy UKโs chief executive, Chris Hewett, commented on the milestone: โThis is a significant achievement for the UK solar industry and a testament to the hard work and innovation of everyone involved. We have come a long way since the first solar park was commissioned in 2007, and we are now on track to meet the governmentโs target of 70 GW by 2035.โ
As the UK solar industry celebrates this landmark, it is clear that solar energy will play an increasingly vital role in the countryโs renewable energy mix. With ambitious government targets and the industry’s proven ability to deliver, the future of solar energy in the UK looks exceptionally bright.
To fully appreciate this rapid growth, it’s helpful to understand the investment and technology involved. The entire journey from planning to production involves complex factors, including the solar panel manufacturing plant cost breakdown and the specialised solar panel manufacturing machines required. To dive deeper into how these powerful energy sources are created, explore our comprehensive free e-course.