More records set to be broken as capacity increases
According to Solar Energy UK, 18,314 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of sun-powered electricity was generated in 2025
Solar energy was responsible for a record 6.3% of the UK’s energy in 2025 following a 30% jump in generation, according to Solar Energy UK.
As of 17 December, total of 18,314 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of sun-powered electricity was generated in 2025. That’s enough to heat around 4.6 million heat pump-powered three-bed semi-detached homes.
The figure is a big increase on 2024 which saw a total of 14,067GWh, according to grid operator NESO.
Solar Energy UK said the solar sector is already making a significant contribution to cutting the cost of electricity from the grid and will continue to do so.
The jump in solar energy generation is down in some part to the 18% increase in energy capacity over the past year from about 20.2GW to around 23.8GW now.
The previous record had stood since 2003. March and April were the sunniest months this year with 653 hours of sunshine, 43% above the average.
The summer – June, July, and August – enjoyed 556 hours of sunshine, 10% above the long-term average. Solar Energy UK said southern and eastern England, where most of the UK’s solar farms are, had the most sunshine.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks said the numbers highlight the “huge opportunity” to bring down bills and make the UK energy secure.
“As we move into 2026, we will scale up the solar power we need to shield households from volatile fossil fuel markets and tackle the climate crisis,” he said.
Chris Hewett, chief executive, Solar Energy UK said it was “guaranteed” that there would be more records for solar energy generation as capacity is set to rise to 60GW over the coming decade. This would put the UK on course for “cheaper, cleaner power”, he predicted.
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Max joined The Eco Experts as content manager in February 2024 and became deputy editor in 2025. He has written about sustainability issues across numerous industries, including maritime, supply chain, finance, mining, and retail. He has also written extensively for consumer titles like City AM, The Morning Star, and The Daily Express.
In 2020, he covered in detail the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) legislation on sulphur emissions and its effects on the global container shipping market as online editor of Port Technology International.
He also explored the initiatives major container ports and terminals have launched in order to ship vital goods across the world without polluting the environment.
Since then, he has reported heavily on the impact made by environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices on the supply chain of minerals, with a particular focus on rare earth mining in Africa.
As part of this, in 2022 Max visited mines and ports in Angola to hone in on the challenges being faced by one of the world’s biggest producers of rare earth minerals.
His most recent sustainability-related work came much closer to home, as he investigated the eco-challenges faced by independent retailers in the UK, specifically looking at how they can cut emissions and continue to thrive.
Max lives in South London and is an avid reader of books on modern history and ghost stories. He has also recently learned to play the game Mahjong and takes every opportunity to do so. He is also yet to find a sport he doesn’t enjoy watching.
Tamara BirchNewsletters and sponsored content editor
Tamara is a journalist with more than six years experience writing about environmental topics. This includes advising small businesses on cost-effective ways tom become more sustainable, from installing to solar panels and heat pumps and reducing waste. She has used her journalist and research skills to become highly knowledgeable on sustainable initiatives, issues, and solutions to help consumers do their bit for the environment – all while reducing monthly costs. Now, she’s using this experience to advise homeowners on the benefits of installing low-carbon technologies. She is also qualified in offering innovative initiatives to improve sustainability practices in businesses, from advertising to marketing and publishing.
Her passion for sustainability and eco-friendly solutions stems from a long obsession with nature and animals and ensuring they feel looked after. In her free time, Tamara enjoys reading fantasy novels, visiting the gym, and going on long walks in new areas.
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