In a remarkable milestone for the UK's renewable energy sector, solar power generation in the first half of 2025 has soared to unprecedented heights, reflecting the nation's accelerating pace of photovoltaic (PV) deployment. Data from the esteemed think tank Ember reveals that solar power generation in the UK reached an impressive 9.91 terawatt-hours (TWh) in the first half of this year, marking a significant 32% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Since March, solar power generation has set new records for five consecutive months, underscoring the robust growth of the industry.
The year 2025 has witnessed one of the sunniest periods in the UK's history, which, coupled with the continuously accelerating PV deployment, has propelled solar power generation to new peaks. The UK government's latest PV deployment data, released on the same day, further validates this upward trend. In July 2025, a total of 22,406 new PV installations were added, with a cumulative capacity of 106 megawatts (MW), ranking as the fourth-highest monthly record. This brings the total installed capacity to 19.1 gigawatts (GW), spread across 1.8 million installation sites, representing a substantial increase of 1.3 GW compared to July 2024. Excluding Northern Ireland, which shares a grid with Ireland, the installed capacity in the UK mainland stands at 18.7 GW.
The data released by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is preliminary and may be updated in the future. However, it already indicates that the UK is actively deploying more large-scale solar projects. Currently, 42% of the UK's total PV installed capacity (8.1 GW) comes from ground-mounted power plants, 15 of which are supported by the Contracts for Difference (CfD) mechanism. Thirteen of these ground-mounted power plants were commissioned in 2025, and DESNZ anticipates an increase in this number.
The Ember report also highlights a notable trend in the development of home PV installations, which are moving towards larger scales. In contrast to the small-scale installations driven by subsidy policies from 2010 to 2019, high-power residential PV systems now account for half of the newly installed capacity. According to UK government data, as of the end of July 2025, the total installed capacity of residential PV systems with a capacity of 4 kW and below is 4 GW, while that of 4 - 10 kW systems is 1.4 GW. However, the newly added capacity in 2025 is almost the same for both categories, at 258 MW and 226 MW respectively.
As the UK's solar energy market continues to expand, Cowell is proud to offer cutting-edge PV mounting structures that are perfectly tailored to meet the diverse needs of this burgeoning market. Our PV mounting structures are designed with high-quality materials and advanced engineering techniques, ensuring superior durability, stability, and ease of installation. Whether it's for large-scale ground-mounted solar power plants or residential PV systems, our products can withstand the challenging UK weather conditions, from strong winds to heavy snow, while maximizing solar panel exposure to sunlight for optimal energy generation.
With a commitment to innovation and sustainability, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive support to our UK customers, from product selection and technical consultation to after-sales service. As the UK marches towards its net-zero emissions goal, our PV mounting structures are ready to play a crucial role in the continued success of the solar energy industry, helping to build a cleaner, greener future for the nation.