Solar Panels in the UK for 2025

Pt. 1: Progress to Net Zero

Solar panels in the UK are poised to become one of the country’s most critical tools in the fight against climate change. As we enter 2025, the country is racing to meet its net-zero emissions target by 2050. To get there, the UK aims to more than double its solar capacity by 2030, with an ambitious ultimate goal of 70 GW by 2035.

This blog explores the UK’s current market for solar as a renewable energy, the progress made so far and the pivotal role of solar PV maintenance in maximising solar PV efficiency. It’s one part of a two-part series breaking down how the UK market looks, along with how it compares to the rest of the world.

The UK’s Solar PV Goals | A Road Map to 2035

The UK government’s British Energy Security Strategy lays the foundation for renewable energy expansion, and it’s clear that solar PV is destined to play a central role. The strategy, published in April 2022, targets 70 GW of installed solar capacity by 2035 across a range of different residential and commercial installations. This denotes a significant increase from the current 14 GW running in the country currently. It’s considered a critical element in overarching efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and secure long-term energy resilience.

To encourage solar energy adoption, the government has introduced incentives such as:

●  The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). This programme allows small-scale solar PV system owners to sell surplus electricity back to the grid, helping them get a better return on their investment.

● Zero VAT on solar installations. Households can now install solar panels without paying VAT, a policy extended until March 2027. These efforts are set to be integral in the pursuit of achieving the ambitious targets, albeit with the caveat of overcoming challenges such as supply chain disruptions, public awareness gaps and the initial costs of installations. It’s also worth noting there are several government grants for solar panels in the UK.

Rooftop Solar PV Installations | Powering Homes and Businesses

Rooftop solar panel installations in the UK have become rapidly more prevalent across the residential and commercial sectors. This growth has been largely driven by the dual benefits of cost savings with environmental impact reduction.

Benefits of rooftop solar installations

1.  Energy independence. Homes and businesses can generate electricity, reducing reliance on the grid.

2.  Financial incentives. Solar PV systems usually increase the property’s value while reducing monthly energy bills.

3. Flexibility. Rooftop solar installations can be scaled to suit individual energy needs.

Challenges of Rooftop Solar Installations

●  Installation costs. Despite falling prices and the availability of grants/incentives, the upfront investment remains a barrier for some.

●  Space constraints. Not all rooftops are suitable for solar installations.

High-profile businesses like Stride Treglown in Cardiff demonstrate the potential of rooftop solar panels to transform energy-dependent urban landscapes, achieving Energy Performance Certificate ratings of A+ (zero emissions).

Solar Farms UK | Scaling Renewable Energy to the Next Level

Large scale solar parks are an essential facet in the strategy to meet national energy demands. These large-scale installations generate massive amounts of electricity, contributing to grid stability and energy security.

Notable solar farms in the UK

●  Shotwick Solar Farm (Flintshire). At 72.2 MW, covering 250 acres and powering 13,816 homes, this is easily the UK’s largest private wire solar farm, notably powering the UPM Shotton paper mill which saves the company 22,500 tonnes of C02 emissions annually.

●  Cleve Hill Solar Park (Kent). Set to open in 2025, this massive project will be the UK’s largest solar farm, generating 350 MW. Due to the capacity of the solar park exceeding 50 MW, the project is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) and was granted development consent by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in May 2020.

The UK's solar farm capacity is growing, but global examples like China's Tengger Desert Solar Park and India’s Bhadla Solar Park highlight the scale needed to make significant impacts.

Solar Panel Maintenance | The Key to Sustainable Solar Efficiency

As solar panels in the UK grow in terms of scaled operations, the maintenance of solar panels becomes increasingly important, with many insurance companies now requiring an annual solar panel clean to secure a policy.

Solar panel cleaning can increase solar panel efficiency, preventing cellular shading and ensuring your solar PV system is performing at its full potential. Cleaning solar panels regularly is essential to maximise performance quality, save money in the long run, provide reassurance and ensure the longevity of the PV system.

A Quick Look at the Bigger Picture

Globally, 2025 marks a pivotal year for solar energy. Countries like Germany and Australia in particular are setting benchmarks in renewable energy adoption.

●  Germany. With over 66 GW of installed capacity, Germany is a global leader in rooftop solar adoption.

●  Australia. Solar installations in Australia surpassed 25 GW in 2023, with over 30% of homes now powered by solar energy.

The UK can draw inspiration from these success stories to enhance its overarching solar PV strategy.

Solar Panels in the UK | What’s Next?

The UK's solar PV landscape is rapidly transforming as the country strive to meet its net-zero goals. From rooftop solar PV systems to large-scale solar farms, investments in solar technology are reshaping the UK's energy sector. However, achieving long-term success requires not only expanding solar capacity, but also maintenance for new and existing solar PV installations.

In choosing professional maintenance service providers like Solar Panel Cleaning Services Ltd, businesses, investors and homeowners alike can maximise the efficiency of their solar investments, ensuring they remain well maintained and performing to their full potential.

Why choose us for maintenance?

If you’re interested in finding expert solar panel cleaners, choose the company that have been going the longest and also have it in the name! Come to Solar Panel Cleaning Services Ltd for all your solar panel cleaning needs. With over a decade of experience, an outstanding reputation, long-standing customer satisfaction and excellent client reviews, we are a great company to team up with.

1. Nationwide coverage. We serve all corners of the UK, providing expert solar panel cleaning maintenance for residential and commercial rooftop solar installations.

2. Comprehensive equipment. We can tackle any PV system with the widest variety of industry-leading solar panel cleaning equipment in the country.

3.  Proven expertise. Our enviable client list, outstanding reputation, high regard for health & safety and consistent delivery of top-tier solar panel cleaning services, all means we are a great company to partner with.

Ready to get your solar PV system cleaned by professional solar panel cleaners?

Contact us today to discuss your solar panel cleaning requirements and talk to the experts here at solar panel cleaning services Ltd.

Stay tuned for part two of our look at Solar Panels in the UK for 2025, for what is set to be an exciting year for the renewable industry...