UK Solar Roadmap: Ambition, Action & the 2030 Goal
Solar power has been one of the UK’s quiet clean-energy success stories, and momentum is now shifting up a gear. The government has created a new Solar Council, described by Energy Minister Michael Shanks MP as being “at the heart of our clean power mission” and designed to turn ambition into action. This sits alongside the recently published UK Solar Roadmap 2025, a detailed plan from government and industry to accelerate deployment over the rest of the decade.
Why Solar Matters
The government’s Clean Power Action Plan calls for a rapid increase in solar capacity — from today’s 18 GW to between 45 and 47 GW by 2030, with scope to go even higher if rooftop deployment can be unlocked. Officials frame the issue not just as climate policy but as an economic one: every household and business is exposed to the volatility of fossil fuel prices. More local solar generation, particularly on rooftops, can reduce bills immediately and improve energy security.
Where We Stand Today
Solar provided about 5.5% of UK electricity in 2024, a modest share compared to wind’s 30% but still part of a record-high 51.5% total from renewables. Total installed capacity sits at around 18 GW, less than half of the lower bound of the 2030 target. Recent growth has been steady rather than spectacular — roughly 1 GW of new capacity added over the past year — which means the pace will need to more than double to stay on track.
The Roadmap’s Priorities
The Solar Roadmap sets out dozens of practical steps for government and industry to overcome the barriers to deployment. Key themes include:
Grid connections – reforming the process to cut long waiting times for new projects.
Rooftop expansion – boosting installation on homes, schools, hospitals and commercial buildings through new standards and support schemes.
Planning and supply chains – streamlining approvals, developing UK-based manufacturing and expanding the skilled installer workforce.
These actions are designed to support not only the 2030 goal but also longer-term growth, creating new jobs and building a stronger domestic supply chain.
The Challenge Ahead
Meeting the 45–47 GW target by 2030 will require a steep ramp-up in deployment. Grid-connection bottlenecks, skills shortages and the upfront costs of rooftop systems remain obstacles. The Solar Council has been set up precisely to track these issues and ensure coordination between government, industry and the regulator.
Outlook
Despite the challenges, the UK’s solar ambitions are clear and growing. With a new Solar Council in place and a detailed roadmap on the table, there is now a pathway to move from policy ambition to delivery. If the pace of installation can accelerate and the barriers outlined in the roadmap are addressed, solar power could play a much larger role in the UK’s electricity mix by the end of the decade — helping to deliver clean power by 2030, cutting bills and emissions, and strengthening energy security.