Record Numbers Across the UK
Between January and June 2026, UK households completed 210,000 certified renewable installations, up 17% on the same period last year. That works out to one every 74 seconds, according to the Microgeneration Certification Scheme. New-build homes accounted for a quarter of the total, with 59% of homes started in Q1 already fitted with MCS-certified solar.
Solar and Batteries Drive the Surge
Solar panels made up nearly 150,000 of the installs, a 14% rise, while battery storage almost doubled to 36,000 units. Ninety-two percent of those batteries were paired with solar, underlining the shift toward combined systems. The 0% VAT rate on batteries, which runs until March 2027, is clearly helping. Lisa Cooke, Managing Director at MCS, said: "More and more households are gaining confidence in the benefits of home-grown energy, and the fact that many are now investing in multiple technologies is testament to this."
Heat Pumps Fall Back
Heat-pump installations dropped 17% year-on-year, underlining the need for stronger support through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Grants currently stand at up to £7,500 for heat pumps in England and Wales, rising to £9,000 when replacing oil systems.
What It Means for Bills
Homeowners combining solar and batteries are already cutting grid use sharply. We looked at one Cotswolds household that brought annual bills down to £9 a month with exactly this setup. You can read how they did it here. For the latest tariffs and install options, start at our energy hub.
