Sun surge: 2026 could be record-breaking year for home solar

• The record was driven by the sunniest spring on record, significant increases in solar take-up by households and supportive incentives, leading to households cutting cost and carbon.
• To support the demand for solar, in a first-of-its-kind move for a UK energy company, OVO is putting power back into local communities through a new franchising model, connecting trusted local solar and heating installers directly with homeowners.
• With 7 in 10 homes solar-ready but only 6% currently fitted with panels, OVO’s franchise model aims to close the gap by connecting local installers with its resources.
• According to OVO data, OVO customers produced more Gwh of energy generated by solar than any other previous year – cutting cost and carbon.

London, Friday 9 January 2026: A record 6.3% of Great Britain’s power was supplied by the sun in 2025, up an extraordinary 30%. Despite the grey weather to start the year, according to the Met Office the UK has generally become sunnier since the 1980s. 

2025 was the UK’s sunniest year on record, creating an opportunity for households with solar to generate their own energy on long, sunny days. As the demand for domestic solar continues to surge, OVO predicts 2026 could be another record-breaking year.

Polling from OVO shows that climate shifts are driving renewed support for the UK’s net zero goals, with 68% of the public backing the move to cleaner energy. But while support is strong, the cost of living remains a key barrier, with 85% of people saying they are more concerned about their energy bills. OVO’s franchising model seeks to tackle both challenges at once, offering a local path to solar that lowers bills today while helping the UK decarbonise for the future.

Powering communities with home-grown solar

OVO launched a nationwide solar scheme to fast track solar power rollout across the UK. The scheme will help to bring power back to the community, through an expanding network of trusted local installers, with over 70% of the UK postcode areas now covered.

Despite 7 in 10 UK homes being ‘solar-ready’, only 6% currently have panels installed. Key barriers to solar panel installation include upfront cost (45%), concerns about maintenance and repairs (23%) lack of trusted installers (15%) and uncertainty of the personal benefits (19%). 

OVO’s new model addresses those concerns by enabling local installers to operate under the trusted OVO brand, with access to:

• OVO’s customer support with a Trustpilot score for the franchise model of 4.9
• Installer training and accreditation
• Streamlined logistics, procurement, and supply chains
• Finance and payment support to help customers manage upfront costs.

Ed Janvin, Director of OVO Solar & Heating:

“We know the demand for solar is growing as customers reap the benefits of cutting costs and carbon, with another record-breaking year predicted for 2026. What excites me most is working alongside our carefully selected partners – the very best local installation businesses – to help them grow and ultimately power the UK’s energy transition.”

OVO customers can also earn money from their surplus solar energy, all while supporting a greener grid. Through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), OVO offers three distinct export tariffs: SEG (4p per kWh), SEG Beyond Exclusive (12p per kWh), and SEG Install Exclusive (20p per kWh).

END

Notes to Editors:

More information about OVO’s franchise network:

• OVO’s innovative model selects and partners with the best local installers in the UK to act as OVO franchisees. 
• The growing network is currently working with 20 local installers specifically chosen for their customer service, professional installations, and impact at the local community level. 

About OVO

In 2009, OVO was born to make energy better for people and the planet. Today, OVO is trusted by around four million customers with their home energy, EV charging, green tech upgrades, and more.

OVO is getting the UK ready for a simpler, greener, cheaper future while making heat pumps, solar panels, and electric cars more accessible. Behind all this work is Plan Zero: the bold, science-backed sustainability strategy, which sets out how OVO will become a true net zero business by 2035.

This progress can only happen with a culture fit for the future. OVO’s multiple awards include the Best Place to Work for Women in The Sunday Times’ Best Places to Work 2023, which also saw the company coming in the Top 10 for Very Big Organisation.

OVO also won Company of the Decade at the BusinessGreen Leaders’ Awards 2020. 

For more information please contact:
[email protected]

Further polling

• While 66% of people are concerned about their impact on the environment (e.g. their carbon footprint), 87% are concerned about the amount they pay for bills.
• Over half (56%) would be more likely to install solar panels if they can do so though a local business.
• Key barriers to solar panel installation include upfront cost (45%), concerns about maintenance and repairs (23%) lack of trusted installers (15%) and uncertainty of the personal benefits (19%). 
• One in 4 say that clearer information on potential cost savings would make them more likely to install solar panels. 
• 37% would be more likely to install solar panels if they had access to government grants or financial support.
• 42% would be more likely to install solar panels if there were lower upfront costs.