GB Sets New Solar Generation Record
On 1 April 2025, Great Britain achieved a new solar generation milestone, with the National Energy System Operator (NESO) reporting a peak output of 12.6 GW between 12:30 and 1:00 PM. This marks the highest level of solar generation recorded in the country to date, underlining the increasing role of solar power in the national energy mix.
According to data from the Sheffield Solar live PV tracker, total solar photovoltaic (PV) output for the day reached 87.6GWh, providing a significant share of the UK’s electricity needs from renewable sources.
Graph taken from the Sheffield Solar live PV Tracker covering data from 1st to 3rd April.
This new record follows the sunniest March in the UK since 1910, with over 185.8 hours of sunshine recorded. These exceptional weather conditions helped optimise generation across both utility-scale and distributed solar PV installations.
Rooftop Solar on the Rise
While utility-scale solar farms likely delivered the majority of generation capacity during the peak period, distributed solar generation — including rooftop systems — played a critical supporting role. The contribution from households and businesses is growing rapidly, as new installations continue to expand across the country.
Recent analysis by Solar Media Market Research highlights the scale of this shift. Of the 2.3GW of solar PV capacity deployed in 2024, approximately:
20% came from residential rooftop installations
Another 20% was delivered through commercial rooftop installations
Additionally, the UK is expected to add a further 3GW to 3.5GW of new solar capacity in 2025. If realised, this would represent one of the most substantial year-on-year increases in UK solar deployment in recent years
As the UK progresses toward a net-zero electricity system, records like this underscore the tangible impact of long-term policy commitments, market development, and technological maturity.
To read the full article: https://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/great-britain-achieves-new-maximum-solar-generation-record/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
