Solar Market in United Kingdom
Comprehensive overview of the solar sector, leading regions, incentives, and choosing an installer.
the United Kingdom is one of Europe's leading solar markets, ranked #8 in installed photovoltaic capacity at approximately 16 GW. PVFirms currently lists 267+ solar companies operating across the United Kingdom, covering residential, commercial, industrial, and utility-scale segments.
Market Size & Growth
the United Kingdom has installed approximately 16 GW of solar PV capacity, with annual additions accelerating due to electricity price volatility, EU climate targets, and corporate decarbonization commitments. The installed cost of residential solar typically ranges around €1700 per kW installed (excluding battery storage). Commercial and utility-scale projects benefit from significantly lower per-kW costs at scale.
the United Kingdom at a Glance
| Metric | the United Kingdom | Europe |
|---|---|---|
| Installed PV capacity | ~16 GW | #8 in Europe |
| Avg. residential cost | €1700/kW | EU range €1,100–2,400/kW |
| Companies listed | 267 | all categories |
| Key incentives | Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), ECO4 scheme | national schemes |
| Top solar regions | South East England, East of England, South West England | — |
Incentives & Support Schemes
- Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
- ECO4 scheme
- 0% VAT on residential solar
Top Solar Regions in the United Kingdom
- South East England
- East of England
- South West England
- Yorkshire
- Scotland
Common Use Cases
- Rooftop residential
- Commercial PV
- Community energy
- Agri-PV
How to Choose a Solar Installer in the United Kingdom
- Verification status — PVFirms verifies business registration
- Local references — request 2-3 recent projects in your region
- Warranty terms — both product (10-25 years) and workmanship warranties
- After-sales support — monitoring services, maintenance, response times
- Permitting experience — particularly important in dense urban areas
- Insurance coverage — professional liability and product insurance