TL;DR
In 2025 Great Britain reached a new milestone in clean energy. Provisional figures show that renewable electricity generation from wind, solar, biomass and hydro hit unprecedented levels, with total output surpassing 127 terawatt hours. This was more than in any prior year, underscoring the rapid growth of renewables in the national energy mix. Wind continued to be the largest single renewable source, generating over 85 terawatt hours, while solar electricity rose sharply, increasing by nearly a third compared to 2024.
Wind and Solar Power Performance
Wind turbines across the UK delivered a significant share of electricity last year, supported by ongoing capacity additions both onshore and offshore. The country’s strong wind resource remains a cornerstone of Britain’s transition to low-carbon power. Although wind conditions in 2025 were broadly similar to the year before, the additional turbines that came online contributed to higher overall generation.
Solar power, by contrast, had a standout year. Output jumped by roughly 30% on 2024 levels and supplied over 6% of Great Britain’s total electricity. At peak moments during the summer, solar panels provided more than 40% of the electricity being consumed,
a remarkable indicator of how much the technology can contribute on bright, clear days.
This growth was driven by both increases in installed capacity and the exceptional weather conditions in 2025. New utility-scale projects and thousands of rooftop systems across homes and businesses added to the nation’s solar footprint, helping maximise generation when the sun was shining.
The Sunniest Year on Record
One of the key factors behind solar’s strong performance was just how sunny 2025 was. The UK recorded 1648.5 hours of sunshine over the year, beating the previous record set in 2003 by more than 60 hours. This makes 2025 the sunniest year in the national record series.
Such extended periods of sunshine were particularly notable in spring and summer. A very bright spring, with prolonged spells of clear skies, laid the foundation for high solar output, and above-average sunshine continued through the summer months. For both domestic and commercial solar owners, this meant more daylight hours where panels could generate electricity at maximum efficiency.
What This Means for Homes and Businesses
For households and commercial properties, the record level of renewable generation last year demonstrates what solar and wind can deliver when conditions are favourable and capacity is scaled up. Increased solar production translates to lower reliance on imported or fossil fuel generation, which can help reduce exposure to volatile energy prices. At times of high renewable output, surplus electricity can be stored or exported, adding flexibility for both grid operators and end-users.
Solar homes with battery storage systems, in particular, were well placed to make use of the abundant sunshine. By storing excess generation from sunny periods and using it when generation falls, owners can further reduce their grid imports and potentially cut annual energy costs.
For businesses, particularly those with high daytime energy demand, the 2025 figures make a strong case for on-site solar. Larger commercial installations and solar farms contributed to the overall increase in national generation, showing that solar is now a scalable technology capable of supplying meaningful amounts of electricity.
Looking Ahead
Despite the progress in 2025, the energy sector still faces challenges. Renewables do not yet supply all of the country’s electricity needs and the system requires robust storage and grid upgrades to ensure stability when wind speeds are low and sunshine is limited. Continued investment in both generation and flexibility technologies will be essential to meet future targets for clean power.
Nevertheless, the record year for wind and solar shows that the UK’s renewable infrastructure is delivering results. For homeowners and businesses considering solar, the combination of falling technology costs, strong generation performance and supportive policy signals makes the case for adoption increasingly compelling.
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Source: BBC News