Britain’s transition to clean energy reached a major milestone in 2025, with a record breaking number of solar, battery storage and wind projects receiving planning approval. Industry analysis shows that more than 45 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy capacity was given the green light last year, highlighting the accelerating shift towards renewable power in the UK.
For homeowners and businesses considering a solar PV system, this surge in approvals sends a clear signal: renewable energy is no longer future facing – it’s happening now.
Clean Energy Approvals Nearly Double Year on Year
According to energy analysts Cornwall Insight, the volume of approved clean energy projects in 2025 was 96% higher than in 2024, when just 23GW secured approval. To put that into perspective, the newly approved capacity is estimated to be capable of powering almost 13 million homes across the UK.
This dramatic increase reflects growing confidence in renewable technologies, particularly solar PV and battery storage systems, which are now seen as proven, scalable solutions rather than new and emerging technologies.
Battery Storage and Solar Lead the Growth
The largest growth area in 2025 was battery storage, with approved capacity rising from 14.9GW in 2024 to 28.6GW in 2025. This trend underlines the growing importance of pairing solar panels with battery storage to stabilise the grid and maximise renewable energy use. Solar energy continues to play a central role in this expansion, supporting everything from residential rooftop installations to large scale solar farms. As the UK electricity mix becomes increasingly renewable, and we move away from fossil fuel power stations, solar PV systems are becoming a cornerstone of energy security and affordability.
Why Clean Energy Projects Are Scaling Faster
Several factors are driving this acceleration:
- Maturing solar and battery technologies, making projects faster to deploy
- Reforms to grid connection rules, prioritising projects that are ready to build
- Increased urgency to reduce reliance on fossil fuels
- Developers moving quickly ahead of potential changes to local planning policy
Together, these changes have helped push clean energy approvals up by over 400% in the last five years.
Grid Bottlenecks Remain – But Momentum is Strong
Despite the positive figures, challenges remain. Some approved projects are still delayed by grid connection constraints and infrastructure upgrades. While recent reforms to the National Energy System Operator (NESO) are expected to ease these bottlenecks, progress is not always immediate.
Industry analysts warn that without continued investment in the grid, some projects may struggle to move from approval to operation. However, the overall outlook remains strong, with the UK’s clean energy pipeline described as being the healthiest it has ever been.
What This Means for Homeowners and Businesses
For households and businesses in the South East and across the UK, this clean energy boom reinforces a key message: investing in solar now makes sense.
- Solar PV systems are more efficient and affordable than ever before
- Battery storage helps protect against rising electricity prices
- Grid delays at a national level don’t prevent rooftop solar from delivering immediate savings
- Early adopters benefit most from reduced bills and energy independence
Rather than waiting for future policy changes or grid upgrades, installing solar panels today allows you to take back control of your energy, reducing costs and increasing independence.
SolarTherm UK: Supporting the UK’s Clean Energy Transition
At SolarTherm UK we help homeowners and businesses make the most of this renewable energy momentum, with high quality solar PV systems and battery storage solutions. Our systems are designed for long term performance and efficiency, made to save you money for decades.
As national investment in clean energy accelerates, local action matters more than ever. Installing solar isn’t just a response to rising bills – it’s a practical step towards a cleaner, more resilient energy future.
Contact SolarTherm UK today for a free, no obligation quote and design, tailored to your property, usage and future energy needs. No hard sell, just honest, expert advice.
Your home. Your energy. Your future.
