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Apr 18, 2023

The Impressive Growth Of Solar PV In The UK

Over the past decade, the growth of solar PV in the UK has been nothing short of remarkable. From humble beginnings, solar energy has become an increasingly important source of electricity in the country, with millions of homes and businesses now equipped with solar panels. In this blog, we will explore the reasons behind the growth of solar PV in the UK over the last 10 years and the impact this has had on the country's energy mix.



The first solar panels were installed in the UK in the 1950s, but it wasn't until the 2000s that the technology started to become more widespread. In 2010, the UK government launched the Feed-in Tariff scheme, which provided financial incentives for households and businesses to install solar panels. This scheme, which was in operation until 2019, proved to be a significant driver of growth in the solar industry.


The Feed-in Tariff scheme worked by paying households and businesses for the electricity they generated from their solar panels, as well as for any surplus electricity that they exported to the grid. The payments were guaranteed for a set period, typically 20 years, and were linked to the rate of inflation, which meant that they would increase over time. This gave homeowners and businesses the confidence to invest in solar PV, knowing that they would receive a reliable return on their investment.


As a result of the Feed-in Tariff scheme, the number of solar installations in the UK grew rapidly. By the end of 2010, there were only 26 MW of solar PV capacity installed in the country. By 2015, this had grown to over 5 GW, and by 2020, it had reached over 13 GW. This represents an increase of over 500 times in just 10 years, a truly remarkable achievement.

One of the key drivers of this growth has been the falling cost of solar PV technology. Over the last decade, the cost of solar panels has fallen by over 80%, making it a much more cost-effective option for homeowners and businesses. This has helped to make solar PV one of the cheapest forms of electricity generation in the UK, and has driven the growth in installations.


Another important factor has been the increasing awareness of the environmental benefits of solar energy. Solar PV produces no greenhouse gas emissions, and is therefore a key tool in the fight against climate change. With growing concern about the impact of climate change, more and more people are turning to solar energy as a way to reduce their carbon footprint.


The growth of solar PV in the UK has had a significant impact on the country's energy mix. In 2020, solar PV accounted for around 5% of the UK's electricity generation, up from just 0.2% in 2010. This has helped to reduce the country's reliance on fossil fuels, and has contributed to the UK's ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.


In conclusion, the growth of solar PV in the UK over the last 10 years has been nothing short of remarkable. The combination of financial incentives, falling costs, and growing environmental awareness has driven the rapid expansion of the industry, making solar PV one of the most important sources of electricity in the country. As we look to the future, it is clear that solar energy will continue to play a key role in the UK's transition to a low-carbon economy.

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Can I Generate Solar In Cloudy Weather?

By John Harrow • 18 May, 2021
Yes, solar panels do produce electricity in cloudy weather. They don’t produce as much electricity as they do on sunny days, but they have been shown to produce 25% of what they produce on a sunny day, or 10% when it’s very cloudy. You can still get sunburned even in cloudy weather, especially if your bald like me. Even thought clouds block direct sunlight, rays still penetrate the clouds and this is what burns us and also what we need to generate power with solar panels. To keep it simple solar panels only need daylight, not direct sunlight. So if you can see outside without artificial lights such as street lights, then there is enough natural light to be absorb by your solar panel. Cloudy weather can have far less of an impact on solar panel efficiency than many people think. The American cities of New York and Seattle, for example, are amongst the top US cities for solar panel savings. Similarly, Germany accounts for about 25% of the world’s solar power, while being simultaneously famous for its lack of sunlight. Nevertheless, it achieved its strongest growth output in about half a decade last year. So, how does that work for them with less-than-optimal weather? Basically, it’s because it’s the local cost of electricity, and not the amount of cloud cover, that influences the scale of the savings that people and businesses are able to make with solar panel installations. Interestingly, although they work better on sunny versus cloudy days, solar panels don't work best in particularly hot climates. In fact, solar panel output begins to fall if the temperature rises above 25 degrees Celsius. There’s even a phenomenon in which cloudy weather can actually lead to increased output of solar panels, compared to a bright and cloudless day. This is called the Edge of Cloud effect. Essentially, sunlight can get magnified through refraction, just when the sun is emerging from (or being hidden behind) a bank of clouds. This leads to a sudden burst of energy, which can lead to a temporary but dramatic increase in output. Either way, solar panels can generate in cloudy and clear days and are a great investment even here in the UK!

Are Solar Panels Worth It?

By John Harrow • 20 Feb, 2021
Most recently, the average electricity bill in the UK was around £600 per year. But there's quite a bit of variation around the UK, due to differences in household energy consumption and the price paid per kWh for electricity in different regions . According to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, UK electricity prices per kwh were 17.2 p/kWh in 2020—but the average kwh cost UK ranged from 16.7 p/kWh in Yorkshire to 18.4 p/kWh in Merseyside & North Wales. Do you feel like energy prices have been rising? If so, you're right! Average unit costs have risen a remarkable 48.2% from 2010 to 2019. This historical average unit cost data is based on consumption of 3,800kWh/year as produced by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. In fact 2021 has been a bumper year for energy price increases hitting an incredible 12% rise! If we apply the same logic and expect a similar increase of 48% over the next ten years by 2030 we will be paying on average 27.9 p/kWh! The average home consumes 3800 kWh per year. This will increase the average energy bill from around £650 per year to over £1000 per year. Installing solar panels can seem like a large initial outlay. However, if you pair them with a battery storage system you can virtually eliminate any need for electricity from the grid taking your bills to near £0! With the annual increase in energy prices you will be protecting yourself from these hikes, not to mention you can sell any excess power back to the grid. It’s about time the energy companies paid us! Call us today for a FREE Solar PV design! 21/02/2021
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