UK Solar Installations Surge to Record 2.6 GW in 2025
The UK’s solar energy sector has shattered previous records, adding an impressive 2.6 GW of new capacity in 2025. This remarkable achievement marks a ten-year high in deployment, cementing solar power’s role as a cornerstone of the nation’s energy transition. The growth was powered by a combination of major utility-scale projects and an unprecedented surge in rooftop installations.
A Landmark Year for UK solar installations
The 2.6 GW of new solar capacity installed in 2025 represents a significant 13.6% expansion of the UK’s total solar portfolio, which now stands at approximately 21 GW. This expansion was driven by a staggering 262,000 individual installations completed throughout the year, reflecting a 37% increase compared to 2024 and marking the highest annual total on record.
This milestone demonstrates accelerating momentum in the UK’s renewable energy sector, building on the achievement of surpassing 50% renewable electricity generation in 2024. The data from 2025 confirms that solar is a key driver of this progress.
Dual Drivers: Utility-Scale and Rooftop Momentum in UK solar installations
The record-breaking year was fuelled by strong performance across all segments of the solar market. A major contributor to the new capacity was the connection of the UK’s largest solar plant to date, highlighting the continued importance of large-scale projects in decarbonising the grid.
Simultaneously, the small-scale sector experienced a phenomenal year. Rooftop solar, for both residential and commercial properties, set a new record for deployment. This growth highlights increasing consumer and business appetite for energy independence, lower electricity bills, and a reduced carbon footprint.
Supportive Policies Fuelling Growth in UK solar installations
This solar boom is not happening in a vacuum. It is underpinned by a supportive policy environment that has created confidence and certainty for investors and developers. The government’s ongoing Contracts for Difference (CfD) auctions continue to provide a stable route to market for large-scale renewable projects.
Furthermore, targeted support for rooftop solar has been instrumental in unlocking the potential of distributed generation, empowering homes and businesses across the country to participate directly in the energy transition. This dual-track approach, supporting both massive solar farms and individual rooftop systems, has proven to be a highly effective strategy for rapid deployment. As the UK continues on its path to net zero, the record-breaking performance of the solar sector in 2025 provides a powerful and optimistic signal for the future of clean energy.