Current Installed Solar Capacity
- The UK has rapidly expanded its solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity in recent years.
- As of late 2025, total installed solar PV capacity was about 20.7 GW (gigawatts)**, up from around 18 GW in early 2025.
- Solar capacity is distributed across millions of installations, with a large share in domestic and commercial rooftop systems.
Domestic vs. Ground-Mounted
- Residential systems are the majority by number (about 85–86% of installations), but account for a smaller share of capacity (~30%).
- Ground-mounted and utility-scale solar farms make up much of the remaining capacity.
Government Targets and Policy
National Goals
- The UK government has set an ambitious target of ~45–47 GW of solar capacity by 2030 as part of its broader plan for 95% clean electricity by the end of this decade.
- Long-range forecasts project solar could reach 68 GW by 2035 with continued support.
Support Mechanisms
- Contracts for Difference (CfDs) — long-term contracts providing stable prices — are driving large utility-scale projects.
- Government reforms are underway to ease planning for mid-sized and larger solar farms and drive deployment faster.
Recent Growth and Records
- Solar has set generation records in 2025, breaking previous monthly output highs and contributing significantly to electricity supply.
- Higher deployment and good weather conditions have helped solar contribute record amounts of generated electricity.
Challenges and Bottlenecks
Grid & Planning Constraints
- Grid connection delays and network bottlenecks are slowing some planned projects.
- Planning approvals — especially for medium-sized solar farms — have historically been slow, though reforms are being considered.
Land Use and Integration
- Concerns about using agricultural land for solar have led to discussions about optimizing land use; the government estimates solar will use no more than ~0.6% of UK farmland by 2030.
- Integration with storage (batteries) and other renewables is growing but still evolving. (e.g., combined solar + battery projects entering planning pipelines).
Regional Deployment
- England accounts for the majority (~70 %) of the UK’s solar capacity, with Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland trailing behind.
Role in the Energy Mix
- Solar contributes a growing share of renewable electricity, especially during sunny periods in spring and summer.
- Overall, renewables (including wind and solar) provided a majority of electricity generation in the UK for the first time recently, with solar making a noticeable contribution.