UK Solar Installations Soar to Decade High in March Amid Surging Energy Prices
Record-Breaking Solar Growth in the UK
LONDON, April 30 (Reuters) - Britain saw the highest number of solar installations in a decade in March, government data showed on Thursday, as households moved to protect themselves from soaring energy prices due to the Iran conflict.
Key Data and Statistics
• Data from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero showed more than 27,000 solar installations were completed in March 2026 - the highest monthly total since 2012.
Rooftop Solar Drives the Surge
• The increase was mainly driven by rooftop solar, with two thirds of installations being new solar panels on homes.
Total Installations Reach New Milestone
• The March additions took the total number, including solar farms and rooftop installations across the UK, to more than two million.
Solar Generation and Impact on Energy Prices
New Solar Generation Record in April
• April also saw a new solar generation record, with output surpassing 15 gigawatts on Britain's electricity system for the first time.
Protection Against Energy Price Shocks
• The solar growth is "helping to protect families and businesses from international gas price shocks," the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said.
Forecasts for Domestic Energy Prices
• Domestic energy prices are forecast to rise more than 12% from July as the regulator makes its quarterly price cap adjustment, with wholesale gas costs currently around 45% higher than before the Middle East conflict.
(Reporting by Susanna Twidale. Editing by Mark Potter)
