UK solar capacity hits 22.8 GW as market prepares for plug-in launch

<p>There were 27,391 new UK solar installations in June 2026, the second highest monthly installations volume on record, adding 132 MW of capacity. Total UK solar capacity reached 22.8 GW by the end of June, according to the latest government deployment data.</p>

<p>March 2026 remains the strongest month for number of installations with 28,782 recorded, although solar deployment statistics from the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) are provisional and subject to revision. DESNZ recorded a total of 2,076,000 UK solar installations at the end of June.</p>

<p>The barrier for entry to the distributed solar market will be lowered when new regulations on plug-in solar come into force on August 27, potentially opening up opportunities in the rental sector. Updated regulations will allow households to self-install systems up to an 800 W limit per electrical circuit.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/06/17/amazon-bq-currys-and-lidl-support-plans-to-unlock-uk-plug-in-solar/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Major retailers</a> have been in consultation with the UK government ahead of the launch, while product manufacturers are currently planning launch events timed for the regulation change.</p>

<p>Segen UK &amp; Ireland managing director <a href="https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/07/21/segen-shifts-beyond-solar-distribution-with-new-finance-tools-and-full-home-electrification-strategy/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">David Hope </a>told <strong>pv magazine</strong> the UK wholesaler views plug-in solar as an additional market, rather than a cannibalization risk.</p>

<p>“We don’t think it’s a threat to rooftops, we think it’s a good product range with a couple of caveats. We need to make sure that the manufacturers are tier-one manufacturers,” said Hope, adding that the wholesaler would want to see products installed by qualified electricians.</p>

<p>“But take away those caveats and it’s a great opportunity to grow the market even further. So hopefully exciting times ahead,” he said.</p>

<p>More utility-scale plants are also in the pipeline. UK solar capacity increased 2.2 GW (10.9%) in the 12 months to the end of June 2026 and new capacity included the the largest operational UK solar farm to date – the 373 MW <a href="https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/07/02/largest-uk-solar-plant-goes-online/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Cleve Hill </a>solar farm.</p>

<p>Even larger projects are in active development following recent contracts for difference (CfD) tender rounds, which procured a record amount of solar capacity. The UK government secured 4.9 GW of capacity in its <a href="https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/10/uk-secures-4-9-gw-of-solar-capacity-in-cfd-auction/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">seventh (AR7) CfD </a>allocation round, with 1.87 GW expected to come online by 2028 and 3 GW expected in 2029. The application window for AR8 will close on Aug. 7, 2026.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/07/31/uk-solar-capacity-hits-22-8-gw-as-market-prepares-for-plug-in-launch/">UK solar capacity hits 22.8 GW as market prepares for plug-in launch</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.pv-magazine.com">pv magazine Global</a>.</p>