At SolarTherm UK, we believe knowledge is power—especially when it comes to renewable energy. Did you know that, as of April 2025, 41% of the UK’s energy came from renewable sources? That number is growing, with over 1.5 million homes across the country already using solar panels. As we work toward the UK’s Net Zero target for 2050, solar energy is quickly becoming one of the most affordable, accessible, and sustainable ways to power your home.
But there’s still so much the world doesn’t know about solar. Here are 8 surprising solar energy facts that might just change the way you think about the sun.
The History of Solar Goes Back Further Than You Think
The idea of using the sun’s energy to produce power goes back as far as the 7th Century B.C, where ancient civilizations magnified the power of the sun to start fires. Fast forward centuries, and in 1767, Swiss scientist Horace-Benedict de Saussure built the world’s first solar collector. In 1839, Edmund Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect – the same technology (although adapted) used in today’s solar panels.
Solar Energy is the Most Abundant Power Source on Earth
Every day, the Earth is hit with around 174,000 terawatts of sunlight – put into perspective, that’s enough solar energy in one hour to power the whole world for a year. Solar energy is clean, renewable and not going anywhere. 95% of modern solar panels are made from silicon which is the second most abundant element on Earth after oxygen.
Solar is Now Cheaper than Fossil Fuels
The cost of solar is now more affordable than ever, and in 2019 the cost dropped low enough that it became cheaper than fossil fuels at just 5p per kWh. Since 2010, the cost of solar PV has plummeted by 82% making it the cheapest source of electricity in history. As technology improves, the price is set to fall even further, making it even more affordable.
Solar Power = Heathier Air and Lives
Solar power can help save lives. A typical UK home can save 1.3 to 1.6 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year – that’s over 165 trees you would need to plant to offset the emissions. Cleaner air means healthier communities – something which our struggling NHS needs. The Office for Heath Improvement and Disparity reported in 2022, that between 28,000 and 36,000 deaths in the UK are due to man-made air pollution.
Solar Energy Supports the UK Economy
The UK’s solar industry employed around 7,000 people in 2020 and is increasing that to around 60,000 by 2035. Solar energy is creating jobs across the UK all the time, while saving homeowners up to 70% on their electricity bills. Solar is not just good for the environment, it’s great for the economy too.
Solar Farms are Powering Major Cities
According to latest government figures, there are 1,336 solar farms operating in the UK with a further 142 under construction. The largest of these – Llanwern Solar Farm – is in south-east Wales and houses 187,500 panels across 3 sites near Newport.
With solar farms being able to connect to the National Grid now and transfer electric across the country, rather than just powering local areas, the potential for more solar farms being built and the UK power network running on renewable energy is growing. One solar farm in Dorset is generating 49MW of green electricity to power London’s Square Mile.
UK Solar Capacity is Set to Reach 45GW by 2030
Currently sitting at 18.1GW capacity across over 1.7 million installations in the UK, the government have set a target to reach 40GW capacity by 2030 as part of their plan to reach Net Zero by 2050. The government predicts up to 9 million homes across the UK will have solar installed by 2030.
There’s Never Been a Better Time to Go Solar
The UK has the capacity to power over 3 million homes with solar panels alone—and we’re just getting started. At SolarTherm UK, we’re proud to be part of this green energy revolution. Whether you’re looking to reduce your bills, lower your carbon footprint, or become more energy independent, our expert team is here to help.
Contact SolarTherm UK today for your free bespoke design package, tailored for your property, usage and future energy needs – no hard-sell, just honest, expert advice – we let the figures speak for themselves.
