UK Solar Capacity Up 5.9%: A Milestone Worth Celebrating and Building Upon

Darren Lewis | 30/5/2025

The UK’s solar sector has reached a significant milestone. As of April 2025, the nation boasts 18.1GW of installed solar capacity across 1.78 million installations, a 5.9% increase year-on-year, equating to an additional 1GW of clean energy capacity. 

Credits: Solar Ivy/SMIT

This growth is not just a statistic; it represents tangible progress towards a sustainable energy future. In April alone, 20,405 new solar installations were completed, adding 82MW of capacity, figures that surpass the average monthly installations between 2016 and 2021. 

Residential Solar: The Heart of the Movement

Residential installations continue to drive the solar surge, accounting for 68% of new capacity in April 2025. While domestic systems make up 86% of total installations, they contribute approximately 31% to the total capacity. 

This trend underscores the pivotal role homeowners play in the UK’s transition to renewable energy. At Solar Group Utilities, we’ve observed firsthand the enthusiasm and commitment of individuals investing in solar solutions, not only to reduce their carbon footprint but also to gain energy independence.

Ground-Mounted Solar: Scaling Up for Impact

Ground-mounted solar installations now account for at least 43% (7.71GW) of the UK’s total solar capacity, with estimates suggesting this could be as high as 59% when including unaccredited projects. 

These large-scale projects are crucial for meeting national energy demands and achieving net-zero targets. They complement residential efforts, ensuring a balanced and resilient energy mix.

Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Challenges

Projections indicate that the UK could add between 3GW and 3.5GW of new solar capacity in 2025, approaching the record levels seen in 2015. 

However, to sustain this momentum, we must address challenges such as planning delays. The average time for project approval has increased from 29 weeks (2010-2015) to 45 weeks in recent years, with some projects facing delays of up to 177 weeks.

Streamlining the approval process is essential to accelerate deployment and capitalize on the growing interest in solar energy.

Our Commitment at Solar Group Utilities

At Solar Group Utilities, we are committed to supporting this growth by providing top-tier solar solutions and services. We believe in empowering individuals and businesses to make informed decisions about their energy use, contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future.

The recent growth in solar capacity is a testament to what we can achieve together. Let’s continue to build on this momentum, embracing innovation and collaboration to drive the UK’s renewable energy transformation.

For more insights and updates on our initiatives, follow Solar Group Utilities on LinkedIn.