Great Britain has recorded more new solar power installations in the first half of this year than in any six-month period since 2011. An analysis of government figures shows 142,536 solar installations were added in the first six months of 2026.
This surge puts Great Britain on track to surpass last year's record for solar additions. The half-year total is second only to the 167,316 installations recorded in the second half of 2011.
Most of the new installations are on household rooftops, as consumers aim to cut energy bills by generating their own electricity. Energy companies note that rising fossil fuel costs have encouraged this shift.
E.ON Next reported a 151% increase in homes installing solar panels in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year. Octopus Energy also saw a sharp rise in solar panel sales in March, up over 54% from the previous month.
The government's Boiler Upgrade Scheme also saw increased interest, with applications reaching 4,512 last month, a 21% increase from June last year. Grant funding for heat pumps was recently raised by 20%, from £7,500 to £9,000.