Recently, according to the latest statistical data released by the UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), as of February 2025, the total installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity in the UK has exceeded the 18GW threshold, equivalent to 1.735 million PV systems contributing clean energy to the UK’s green transition. Compared to the same period last year, this figure represents a 6.8% increase, with new installed capacity reaching 1.1GW, highlighting the UK’s continuous progress in the renewable energy sector.
In terms of installation structure, the UK PV market is characterized by a large number of residential PV systems and extensive ground-mounted power stations. Although residential PV systems account for 73% of the total number, their installed capacity only represents 30% of the national total. In February 2025, residential projects added 58MW of installed capacity, maintaining a steady growth trend. Meanwhile, ground-mounted power stations, as the dominant force in UK PV installations, contributed approximately 7.71GW of installed capacity, accounting for 43% of the total. When “unaccredited” projects are considered, the actual proportion of ground-mounted stations could be as high as 55%.
Data shows that the average installation cost of residential PV systems has decreased from £9,238 in January 2024 to £7,561 in December, with an annual average price of £8,198. This price advantage, coupled with policy support, has driven the installation of over 200,000 residential PV systems between January 2024 and January 2025, also boosting the installation of 22,667 residential energy storage systems.
Notably, residential and commercial rooftop projects each accounted for 20% of the 2.3GW of new installations in 2024, indicating the strong development potential of distributed PV. With the continuous decline in costs and the improvement of energy storage facilities, the UK PV industry is embracing new development opportunities.
