The rate of solar panels installations was up 40.7% in March, from the same period last year, according to analysis from Coventry Building Society.
This coincides with Britain experiencing a record-breaking March for sunshine, with 59% more sunshine than its long-term meteorological average.
Over 17,000 solar panels were installed on UK homes in March, a jump from the 12,168 installations during March 2024.
This takes the running-total for the year to 45,008, a 28.6% increase on the 35,005 installations during the same period last year.
The rate of installations peaked in 2011 with over 200,000 installations during the year – following the launch of the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme.
This dipped in subsequent years when government support was scaled back but has rebounded recently, signalling that consumers are increasingly looking towards renewable energy sources.
Last year 146,888 solar panels were installed – translating to an average of 402 installations per day.
Sophie Mason, environmental and sustainability lead at Coventry Building Society, said: “Whether people are looking to do their bit for the planet or keep their energy bills down, solar panels are proving to be a poplar investment.
“Over the past decade the interest in solar energy has had its peaks and troughs, but the momentum we’re seeing now seems to be driven by consumers looking for long-term solutions amid rising energy bills and growing climate awareness.
“While the upfront cost can be a barrier, it’s important to view solar panels as a long-term investment and remember there are schemes available which can help.
“The green finance market will continue to evolve because lenders want to help make renewable options more accessible to everyone. It all adds up to help create a more sustainable future for us all.”
