UK hits 22.3 GW solar capacity as cost per kW falls

There are now more than 2 million solar installations in the United Kingdom, according to government data, with total capacity reaching 22.3 GW at the end of April 2026.

UK solar deployment is on an upward trajectory with 2.3 GW added in the 12-months to the end of April 2026, representing 11.2% growth in total installed capacity. Deployment data reveal nine of the top ten months on record for solar installations fell within the past 12 months.

There were 22,733 solar installations in April 2026, accounting for 107 MW of capacity. This was below the 194 MW of new capacity recorded for April 2025, however deployment data compiled by the UK government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is provisional and subject to revision as more information becomes available.

Utility-scale solar installations still account for the majority of UK solar in capacity terms, but deployment volume in the residential segment drove total installations beyond 2 million in March, with further growth anticipated.

Factors supporting residential growth include falling prices, with the cost of installing solar decreasing across all market segments in the 2025/26 financial year after accounting for inflation, according to UK government data. The median cost of 0 kW to 4 kW installations was down 9%, 4 kW to 10 kW was down by 8%, and 10 kW to 50 kW were down 3% compared to 2024/2025, according to DESNZ data.

Policies in place to support further deployment include new regulations to allow plug-in solar, energy efficiency regulations for England and Wales that will effectively mandates solar for new homes, and support for home upgrades through the UK government’s Warm Homes Plan expected later in 2026.

Summer 2026 will also bring the eighth allocation round for the UK government’s contracts for difference (CfD) scheme, and a strong auction for solar is key to achieving 2030 clean power targets. The UK government wants to see solar capacity reach at least 45 GW by 2030. The next CfD action is scheduled for July.