Unveiled: British Regions with the Highest and Lowest Solar Panel Installations Counts
Solar Power on the Rise in Britain: A Look at the Latest Trends
Solar power is becoming increasingly popular in Britain, with advancements in technology making solar panels more efficient and durable. According to recent data, regions such as Aberdeenshire and Stirling are leading the way in solar panel installations.
Aberdeenshire currently has the highest total amount of solar panel installations, with 16,678 homes boasting solar panels. On the other hand, Kensington and Chelsea has the lowest percentage of houses with solar panels, with just 0.5% having them installed. In stark contrast, Stirling has the highest percentage of solar panel installations, with 17.4% of homes equipped with them.
Interestingly, five of the top 10 areas with the most solar panel installations are in Wales and Scotland. London, however, has the lowest amount of solar panel installations, with every area in the bottom 10 being in London. The City of London, in particular, has the lowest total number of solar panel installations, with just 55 installations.
The higher cost of installing solar panels in urban areas like London and the South East is due to higher labour rates and operational expenses in these regions. In contrast, regions with better sun exposure and easier access tend to have lower costs. This is because installers face fewer complex weather-related issues, travel, and supply chain constraints, making installation more cost-effective.
Despite the higher costs, the government's ECO4 scheme allows certain homeowners to save costs on solar panels or even get them for free. This scheme, along with the significant drop in solar panel costs over the last 10 years (73%), makes now an opportune time to install solar panels. In fact, 2024 is expected to be a record year for solar panel installations, according to Independent Adviser experts.
Experts in the field, such as David, a respected contributor to Homebuilding and Renovating magazine with over 35 years of experience, are advocating for the use of solar panels. David specializes in building fabrics, heat recovery ventilation, renewables, and conventional heating systems. He is also a member of the Gas Safe Register and a prominent speaker at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show.
Katharine Allison, the Independent's Energy Saving Expert, is another sustainability advocate specializing in solar panels, double glazing, and renewable energy technologies. With over 10 years of experience and collaborations with top UK companies and publications, Katharine is a valuable resource for those considering solar panel installation.
In April 2024, there were 15,563 solar panel installations in the UK, more than the previous three months combined. As the benefits of solar power become more apparent and costs continue to drop, it's likely that we'll see even more homes across Britain embracing solar energy in the future.
