UK’s fast-growing solar industry welcomes new prime minister
20 July 2026
Solar Energy UK looks forward to working with Andy Burnham MP as he establishes his new administration, helping to grow the economy and pursue our joint aim of cutting energy bills.
“The UK has built one of the world’s most exciting solar and battery markets because successive governments have recognised that clean energy is not just an environmental ambition but an economic opportunity. As Andy Burnham becomes Prime Minister, we look forward to working with him and his government to build on that success. The solar and battery sector is ready to invest billions of pounds, create tens of thousands more skilled jobs, strengthen Britain’s energy security and help deliver lower electricity bills for homes and businesses. With the right policy framework, this industry can become one of the defining success stories of the UK’s growth agenda,” said Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of Solar Energy UK.
Our message to the new Prime Minister is simple: back British solar and battery storage, remove the remaining barriers to investment and together we can deliver economic growth, energy independence and clean power for the whole country,” he added.
Blog
In a blog, Solar Energy UK’s External Affairs Director Dan Meredith spells out what the solar and battery energy storage sectors need from the new Government:
- Urgent reform to the grid connection process and fixing “the broken connection process for co-located solar and battery projects”.
- Improving consumer confidence and protection.
- Ensuring new homes – especially council houses – have “meaningful, maximized solar arrays paired with battery storage”.
- Maintaining a stable energy policy to give businesses the confidence to invest in UK supply chains and grow the economy.
Blog
- The solar industry estimates that around 26 gigawatts of solar generation capacity is currently in place across the UK, with multiple gigawatts being installed every year.
- More than 1.7 million UK homes already have solar panels fitted, part of over 2m smaller-scale installations.
- Solar and battery storage support around 20,000 UK jobs today.
- The sector contributes almost £1.9 billion to the economy annually (measured as gross value added).
- By 2035, the sector could support around 43,000 jobs and contribute over £5 billion GVA.
- Utility-scale solar provided around £61 million of additional farm income in 2024.
- 84% of the public support solar energy (Government polling).
- 77% of the public support local solar farm development (SEUK polling).