Solar Outlook for the UK and beyond in 2025

Pt. 2: Looking Global

Solar energy is at the heart of the global transition to renewable energy, and solar panels in the UK are a massive part of the equation. 2025 is set to be a pivotal year for solar energy adoption and innovation, with many countries worldwide intensifying their efforts to combat climate change.

From rooftop solar PV systems to massive solar parks, the UK is following the example of other countries in the global context.

This blog forms part two of our look at national solar panel developments. We’ll explore the latest forecasts for the country relating to major international developments, along with placing the UK’s role in the global solar energy landscape. We’ll also consider the importance of maintaining solar installations to maximise efficiency and meet ambitious climate targets.

Global solar energy trends in 2025

Solar Capacity Set to Surge

The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that solar energy will account for over 60% of new renewable power capacity additions globally in 2025, far eclipsing alternative renewable sources. The world’s solar PV capacity has been growing significantly, driven by technological advancements and decreasing installation costs.

Leading Solar Nations

● China. The undisputed leader in solar energy, China aims to reach 1,200 GW of solar and wind capacity by 2030. In 2025, it will continue dominating global solar installations with the best solar panels on the market being used in settings like the Tengger Desert Solar Park.

●  United States. With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022, the US has set ambitious solar targets, including a 40% increase in capacity by 2025.

●  India. India is incorporating an impressive 35 gigawatts (GW) of solar and wind energy to its grid during the year ending March 2025, supported by large-scale projects like the Bhadla Solar Park.

The global solar revolution is setting the tone for the advances in the UK, with several solar power government grants and incentives being introduced to lower entry barriers.

The UK's Solar PV Goals for 2025

The UK is staking its claim as a player in the global solar movement, with plans to achieve 70 GW of installed solar capacity by 2035 as part of its British Energy Security Strategy.

Rooftop Solar Growth

Rooftop solar PV installations in the UK are surging to catch up with the global market, driven by various incentives and increasing traditional energy costs.

●  Residential sector. More households are embracing solar energy with the deal for zero VAT on solar installations extended until 2027.

●  Commercial sector. Businesses like Hamilton House in Bristol and Ackers Adventure in Birmingham are showing the capacity for commercial installments.

Solar Farms in Focus

Solar farms don't just have to be about clean, renewable energy, they could also help reverse biodiversity decline. Under appropriate management and the right policies, solar farms have the potential to deliver benefits for nature and climate. A well-managed solar farm can become a nature reserve for its operational lifetime, resulting in huge benefits for wildlife and biodiversity. Here are some examples of solar farms doing just that here in the UK:

● Llanwern Solar Farm (Wales) Consisting of a quarter of a million solar panels which, from late last year has powered 15,000 homes saving 21,000 tonnes in CO₂ emissions each year. The site covers 350 acres. Key to the Llanwern project was habitat enhancement for a breeding pair of cranes. Land used by the young cranes has had an adapted management strategy implemented to protect the young birds with wildflower enhancement and crane crossing points.

The wildflower enhancement on site has resulted in 10ha of new wild flower meadow creation and the management of another 15ha of field margins around the site all to benefit local wild life and specifically the Shrill Carder bee, known to be in the area.

● Larks Green Solar Farm (Gloucestershire)

Larks Green is a 70MWp solar PV and 49.5MW Battery storage project situated across 106 hectares of land in Itchington, Southwest England. The Larks Green solar project is designed to deliver a 25% biodiversity net gain because of efforts to strengthen 9.9km of hedgerow and the planting of new wildflowers over 9 hectares of the site.

These projects highlight the growing role of diversification and imperative measures required to protect the wildlife and biodiversity of the UK's energy growth, while enhancing grid stability.

Innovations Driving Solar Panels UK Adoption

Bifacial Solar Panels

Bifacial solar modules, which capture sunlight on both sides, are some of the most efficient solar panels on the market and are becoming increasingly popular in both rooftop and solar farm projects.

Floating Solar Farms

Floating solar farms, such as the one at Walton-on-Thames, are gaining traction as a way to maximise space and reduce land-use conflicts.

Energy Storage

Battery storage systems are critical for ensuring a reliable energy supply by storing surplus solar power for later use. By storing excess energy during off-peak hours and releasing it during peak demand hours, you can reduce the need to rely on the grid!

Solar Panel Maintenance | The Backbone of Efficiency

The rapid expansion of solar panels in the UK also underscores the importance of proper maintenance – the global example setters all treat it as a priority. Without regular solar panel cleaning and inspections, solar panels can lose huge amounts of their efficiency due to dirt, debris, bird fouling, environmental and weather-related soiling.

Why Solar Maintenance Matters

1. Maximising output. Cleaning solar panels is conducive to producing more energy, ensuring a faster return on investment and saving you money in the long run.

2. Extending lifespan. Regular solar panel cleaning helps identify and address issues like broken solar panels and loose, untidy PV cabling before they escalate.

3. Reducing risks. Poorly maintained solar panels can pose safety hazards, impact your warranty and may cause hot spots and electrical faults.

Using professional and reliable solar panel cleaners to keep your solar PV system performing to its full potential is what many O&M providers, asset owners and investors in solar PV are already doing today, so don't get left behind, contact us today to discuss how we can support you and your solar PV system.

Regular, professional solar panel cleaning benefits:

• Increased Efficiency
• Extended Lifespan
• Cost Savings
• Improved Aesthetics
• Environmental Benefits
• Insurance & Warranty Compliance

To discover more about the benefits of cleaning solar panels, visit our benefits page now to learn more about solar panel cleaning.

Solar Panels in the UK | How Do They Square Up in 2025?

While the UK is making strides, other countries are also leading by example:

●   Japan. Ranking third globally, with a total installed PV capacity of over 78 GW, Japan has been working on advancements in solar technology, which include space-based solar power (SBSP) and next-generation flexible solar cells. The SBSP project involves the space launch of satellites equipped with giant solar panels which convert the generated electricity into microwaves that are then transmitted back to the ground.

●    Netherlands: The Netherlands has the highest solar capacity per capita in Europe, highlighting its innovative use of limited space.

Australia (26.7 GW), Italy (25 GW), Brazil (24 GW) and South Korea (20.9 GW) complete some of the top ten nations in terms of cumulative installed solar capacity. International Energy Agency estimates that “China, the United States and India all double their renewable capacity expansion in the next five years, accounting for two-thirds of global growth.” These examples underscore the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing as countries work toward common goals.

As of October 2024, the UK had a 17.2 GW capacity, which is a significant increase since 2010. The UK still has some way to go before becoming a major global player – but we’re on the right track as we expect this number to grow to a whopping 50 GW by 2030, which is especially impressive for such a small country!

Final thoughts:

As we move through 2025, solar energy will continue to shape the global energy landscape and solar panels in the UK are critical to meeting the government's ambitious targets. However, achieving long-term success requires more than just installation - it demands proper maintenance and professional solar panel cleaning.

Here’s why we’re the ideal partner for your maintenance needs:

●  Unmatched expertise. Our team has more than a decade of experience in solar PV cleaning, as one of the first solar panel cleaning companies, we have proudly built up an impressive client list across the UK. We have remained entirely focused and dedicated to solar panel cleaning. This provides our commercial O&M partners and solar installers with complete peace of mind that our offer of services never competes with theirs, therefore safeguarding a secure, consistently professional, and long-standing working relationship.

●  Comprehensive equipment. We employ industry-standard cleaning methods, forward-thinking cleaning technologies and an extensively broad range of state-of-the-art panel cleaning equipment and specialised cleaning techniques. This ensures we can safely access and clean even the most challenging commercial rooftop solar PV arrays.

●  Tailored solutions. We customise our services to meet the specific needs of your installation, whether it’s a small system or a sprawling array. We are highly experienced in cleaning the many different types of solar PV arrays, whether rooftop or ground mounted, whilst also recognising the distinctive cleaning requirements each site may entail.

● A Safe Business Partnership. Our company has a comprehensive health and safety management system, evaluated against the Safe Contractor and SSiP safety schemes in procurement core criteria, earning us the prestigious Avetta, Safe Contractor and SMAS Safety Management Advisory Services Worksafe accreditation. Additionally, our highly reputable and detailed site-specific RAMS provide complete peace of mind when choosing us to deliver you with a 100% safe, reliable and in-house professional cleaning service that sees the job right the way through to completion.

Let’s make 2025 a banner year for solar energy.

Contact us today to schedule your solar panel clean!