UK solar generation sets new record of 14 GW

This surpasses the previous record set on April 6, which has now been revised to 13.8 GW.

Instantaneous generation records usually happen in spring when there is bright sunlight and cooler temperatures, but solar’s rapid growth and the sunny weather have changed this assumption, the organisation said.

It also cited data showing that a new record was also set in France on July 10 at 1400, when generation reached more than 19.5 GW, serving almost 40% of demand and driving energy prices below zero.

“The new records underline just how quickly the solar sector is growing, both at home and abroad. We estimate that well over 21.5 gigawatts of capacity is now in place in the UK, a figure expected to more than double by the end of the decade, delivering secure, clean, green and – crucially – cheap power for us all,” commented Solar Energy UK chief executive Chris Hewett.

The UK government recently published its Solar Roadmap, setting out a strategy to scale up installed solar capacity to 45-47 GW by 2030, with the potential to reach around 57 GW.