Solar energy just had its best-ever month in the UK as the first plug-in solar kits prepare to go on sale within weeks

Date:
Mon, 03 Aug 2026 17:30:03 +0000

Description:
Solar energy just set a new record in the UK, supplying more power to the
grid than in any previous month. And it will soon get another boost from the legalisation of plug-in solar in weeks.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Solar energy just had its best-ever month in the UK Rooftop panels and farms provided 14.4% of the country's electricity The record comes ahead of the legalisation of plug-in solar kits soon Our gardens may be wilting in this exceptionally dry, sunny summer in the UK, but one thing that is benefitting from all the rays is
solar panels. Solar energy just had its best-ever month for supplying power
to the grid and plug-in solar panels are aiming to keep that run going when they become legal later this month.

Alongside solar farms, rooftop panels which are surging in popularity
helped provide an impressive 14.4% of the UK's electricity in July (via The Guardian ). That's 50% more than this time last year, according to National Energy System Operator (Neso) data, and helped to power the fans and air con units we're all relying on to survive while working from home. The record comes from a combination of two factors. The incredible amount of sunshine we saw in July helped the UK bathed in around twice the amount of sunshine
hours that it usually gets on average at this time of year. Latest Videos
From TechRadar Watch full video here:

But it was also powered by the popularity of solar panels, which many are installing to help cut their energy bills in the UK. The country saw more solar power installations in the first half of 2026 than in any similar
period for 15 years, while last year saw the highest total number of solar installations (269,000) ever recorded in a calendar year, according to government data .

Those figures include ground-based solar farms, but a significant proportion (just under a third of the UK's total solar power) is provided by rooftop panels. However, with these panels still prohibitively expensive for many, eyes will now be turning to the legalisation of plug-in solar kits from
August 27. You may like UK government says plug-in solar panels will be legal from August 27 The plug-in balcony solar revolution just took a step closer
in the UK Plug-in solar panels and home battery installations are spreading
in the US Can plug-in solar add some extra shine? (Image credit: Getty Images / Sean Gallup) It's unfortunate that plug-in solar panels weren't legalised a few months ago, when they could have contributed to these record UK solar energy figures.

Still, the UK government made the welcome announcement last week that these plug-in solar kits which can send electricity into your wall socket without needing professional installation will become legal from August 27. That's good news if you've felt frozen out of solar due to its cost, a lack of roof access or the fact that you're renting. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

The Statutory Instrument 2026/848 clears the blocks that previously prevented UK residents from buying self-installed, plug-in solar systems. The August 27 date is more of a legal landmark, so it isn't clear exactly when these kits will go on sale. But you can expect to see them in the likes of Lidl, Currys and Amazon soon, when they'll apparently cost around 400 and could save households up to 70-110 a year. While many have argued that plug-in batteries could be the real home energy revolution (they were left out of the government's new legislation), the combination of this new solar energy
record and the legalisation of plug-in solar kits later this month means that renewable energy is having a big moment.

"Fifteen years ago, solar energy was a footnote in the electricity mix," said Chris Hewett (Chief executive of Solar Energy UK). "Now it is a major player, delivering homegrown, cheap, clean and reliable energy."

The UK is firmly in its second solar boom, joining the trend were seeing worldwide, as households and governments look to it as a low-cost and local alternative to oil and gas, added Frankie Mayo, a senior analyst at Ember.

The UK is still well behind Germany when it comes to balcony solar (which is called 'Balkonkraftwerk'), as you can see in the graph above, but at least
the country's sun-powered potential is now finally on the charge. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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