The UK solar industry had its best year on record in 2025. According to MCS data, 267,032 rooftop solar photovoltaic systems were installed across the UK — a 34% increase on 2024, and a figure that surpasses the previous record set in 2011 by 31%. For context, the 2011 boom was driven by unusually generous feed-in tariffs that the government subsequently cut sharply. The 2025 record happened with no such subsidy — driven entirely by falling equipment costs, rising electricity prices, and the growing realisation among homeowners that solar is a sound financial investment.
The South West of England punches significantly above its weight in this national picture. The region had 202,859 total solar installations as of March 2025 — second only to the South East among all English regions. And within the South West, one county stood out above all others.
Somerset: The UK's Most Active Solar County in 2025
Somerset was the number one local authority area in the entire UK for new solar installations in 2025, with 3,741 MCS-certified installations recorded in a single calendar year. This is a remarkable figure for a county of Somerset's size — ahead of every major city and metropolitan area in the country — and reflects a combination of factors that make Somerset an unusually fertile market for solar PV.
Those factors include: a high proportion of owner-occupied, detached and semi-detached properties with generous, unshaded roof areas; a significant share of households off the mains gas grid (the Glastonbury and Somerton constituency alone has approximately 39.5% off-gas-grid properties); strong awareness of energy costs driven by the legacy of fuel poverty in rural areas; and the economic activity around Hinkley Point C, which has increased household incomes and property investment across the county. Somerset's active community energy movement — from Frome Renewable Energy Co-operative to local climate action groups — has also helped normalise solar ownership across communities.
2025 Was the Sunniest Year on UK Record
A crucial backdrop to the 2025 installation boom is that 2025 was confirmed as the sunniest year on UK record, with 1,622 hours of sunshine across the year. For existing solar panel owners, this translated directly into higher-than-usual generation and faster-than-projected payback periods. For homeowners who had been considering solar but not yet committed, a year of unusually strong sunlight provided a vivid demonstration of what their panels could achieve.
In the South West, this effect was amplified by the region's already-superior solar resource. Bristol receives approximately 1,253 kWh/m² of solar irradiance per year — 15% above the UK national average — and enjoys around 1,660 hours of sunshine annually. Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Bath all fall within the same high-irradiance band. A typical 4.5kWp system in the South West generates between 4,275 and 4,950 kWh per year, enough to cover a substantial portion of a family home's electricity needs even before accounting for battery storage.
Battery Storage Is Now the Industry Standard
One of the most striking statistics from 2025 is that 94% of all new solar installations now include a battery storage system. This represents a fundamental shift from just three or four years ago, when batteries were considered a premium add-on. Today, the combination of falling battery prices, smart tariff availability, and homeowners' desire to maximise self-consumption has made battery storage the default choice.
This trend is entirely rational. Solar panels alone typically save 30-50% on electricity bills. Adding a battery pushes that saving to 60-95% by capturing surplus daytime generation for use during the evening peak. Time-of-use tariffs like Octopus Agile go further, allowing battery owners to charge from cheap overnight grid electricity and discharge during expensive peak periods — meaning the battery pays for itself even on overcast winter days when solar generation is low.
The average cost of a complete 4.5kWp solar and battery system in the Bristol area is approximately £10,613 — with 0% VAT applied to both the panels and the battery until at least March 2027. The solar-only equivalent costs around £7,613. For most families, the additional £3,000 for battery storage delivers a return that makes it a straightforward financial decision.
Solar Together West of England
The South West's solar leadership is partly attributable to the Solar Together West of England group-buying scheme, operated through the West of England Combined Authority and iChoosr. Three rounds of the scheme have been completed since 2021, delivering over 2,400 installations, 8.9 MW of generation capacity, and an estimated 44,000 tonnes of CO₂ savings over 25 years. Participating homeowners in Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire received discounts of 22-41% against typical market prices. Solar Together accounted for approximately 26% of all MCS-registered solar installations in Wiltshire and Swindon during scheme periods.
What the 2025 Data Means for South West Homeowners in 2026
The record 2025 installation figures have several practical implications for homeowners considering solar in 2026. Installer capacity is at a premium: the same surge in demand that drove the installation record also stretched MCS-certified installers across the region. Booking ahead to secure a position in a reputable installer's schedule is now advisable, particularly for spring and summer installations when demand peaks further.
The financial case is as strong as it has ever been. With electricity prices elevated, Smart Export Guarantee tariffs providing a return on exported surplus, and EPC C requirements for rental properties coming into force from 2028, solar PV is no longer a lifestyle choice — it is increasingly a financial necessity for landlords and an obvious investment for owner-occupiers. The break-even point for a solar and battery installation in the Bristol area is just 12.4 years, compared to 14.5 years nationally, thanks to the South West's superior sun levels.
D&R Energy installs MCS-certified solar and battery storage systems across Bristol, Somerset, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire from our Portishead headquarters. Every installation qualifies for the Smart Export Guarantee, benefits from 0% VAT, and is backed by comprehensive manufacturer warranties. Contact us for a free quote and find out what a solar and battery system would generate — and save — on your specific property.
