THERE HAVE BEEN 81,000 certified solar panel installations in 2024, showing installers they should have confidence in solar, says Solar Energy UK.

The first half of the year also saw certified solar panel installs surpassing the 1.5 million mark, according to data from the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), the UK’s quality mark for renewable energy.

Battery storage installations, meanwhile, have reached almost 8,000 certified installations in 2024, which is already more than any previous year with six months still to go. It shows a remarkable rise for the technology since the Battery Storage Installation Standard was introduced in 2021, and as homeowners increasingly look to build their own energy resilience.

Breakdown of renewable installations in UK June 2024 by technology

 

Confidence in Solar

Solar Energy UK Chief Executive Chris Hewett

Chris Hewett, CEO at Solar Energy UK said: “I am glad that consumer demand for solar energy has remained both substantial and stable over the first half of the year, buoyed both by high energy bills and undoubtedly by environmental concerns too. This should provide installers with the confidence to invest in their staff, particularly in recruiting the new people we need to grow the sector.”

“We should also celebrate reaching the milestone of 1.5 million MCS-scale solar installations this spring, not to mention battery storage systems, the natural partner to solar PV, hitting a new record last month. It’s safe to say that now is something of a golden era for smaller-scale sustainable energy.”

Decarbonisation of Heat

Meanwhile, there were 27,000 certified heat pump installations in the UK, which is 45% higher than the same period in 2023 – which was itself a record-breaking year for the technology. It means that the total figure for 2024 is almost certain to be higher than any previous years, as the transition to net-zero gathers pace.

Charlotte Lee Chief Executive of Heat Pump Association 2024

Speaking about the increasing number of heat pumps being installed in the UK, Charlotte Lee, Chief Executive of Heat Pump Association, said: “It is fantastic to see the continuing growth in heat pump installations within the UK, underscoring the progress and commitment from the sector in supporting the decarbonisation of heat. Clarity and confidence from the new Labour Government on the direction of travel for the electrification of heat will be crucial to continue the momentum and ensure we stay on track for a record year.”

Consumer Trust

Ian Rippin CEO MCS 2024

Ian Rippin, CEO at MCS, said: “As the decarbonisation of UK homes gathers pace, it’s vital that homeowner confidence in renewables continues to grow alongside that to sustain demand. High-quality installations are key to this because we want everyone to enjoy the benefits of home-grown energy, so it’s fantastic to see these record numbers for certified installations.

MCS holds the most comprehensive repository of data on the uptake of small-scale renewable technologies across the UK on The MCS Data Dashboard. For near-real-time updates on renewable installations, you can sign up for free to The MCS Data Dashboard here.

Click here to find and MCS certified contractor near you.

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