TL;DRSolar provided a record 14.4% of UK electricity in July, up 50% YoY. Plug-in solar kits become legal August 27 under new legislation. They cost ~£400, need no professional installation, and save up to £110/year.
Solar energy provided a record 14.4% of the UK’s electricity in July, 50% more than the same month last year, according to National Energy System Operator data. The record came from a combination of exceptional sunshine, roughly twice the UK’s average for July, and a surge in rooftop panel installations. The UK installed more solar capacity in the first half of 2026 than in any comparable period for 15 years. Last year saw a record 269,000 solar installations.
The bigger regulatory shift lands on August 27. The UK government confirmed last week that plug-in solar kits, which send electricity into a wall socket without professional installation, become legal under Statutory Instrument 2026/848. The kits are expected to cost around £400 and save households £70 to £110 per year. They will be sold through retailers including Lidl, Currys, and Amazon. Renters, people without roof access, and anyone who cannot afford a full rooftop installation can now participate in solar for the first time.
