UK solar roadmap to expand clean energy on rooftops and balconies

According to the plan announced by the Ministry of Energy, it is expected that the installed solar energy capacity will reach 45-47 GW by 2030, creating 35,000 jobs. According to the government, households using solar panels on an individual basis will be able to save around £500 per year.

As part of the roadmap, it will be a legal requirement to install rooftop solar panels on newly built homes from 2025. In addition, the roofs of commercial businesses, car parks and public buildings will also be assessed to play an active role in solar energy production.

The government has also taken a step for apartment dwellers and tenants. It has launched a study on the safety and grid integration of small “plug-in” solar panels that can be used on balconies, and has accelerated infrastructure preparations for the widespread use of this technology. Such systems, which are used in approximately 435,000 households in Germany, stand out as a low-cost and portable solution.

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said in a statement, “We are implementing this plan to make life easier for families struggling with high bills, while also increasing our country’s energy independence.” Shanks emphasized that clean energy sources based on local production play a key role in increasing energy security.

The roadmap provides a comprehensive framework that includes concrete actions for both government and industry to achieve the targets set in the next five years. This framework aims to overcome structural barriers in areas such as planning processes, electricity grid capacity, supply chain bottlenecks, innovation and workforce-skills compatibility.

Today, more than 1.5 million homes across the UK have rooftop solar panels. According to data from the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), which certifies renewable energy installations, 15,496 new solar installations were made to existing homes in January 2025 alone. This is a 16.5% increase on the previous year and shows the increasing interest of households.

The government is also working on financial support mechanisms to ensure that the transition to solar energy is accessible to everyone. In this context, the Green Finance Institute, together with representatives from the financial sector, consumer organisations and solar energy suppliers, aims to develop affordable financing options for both households and small businesses, so that more people can access solar energy, regardless of the initial investment cost.