The data release coincided with new regulations legalising plug-in solar systems across Great Britain. These plug-in solar devices connect directly to standard household sockets without the need for an electrician.

The surge in popularity of installation of conventional rooftop solar panels is shown in the July 2026 figures, which recorded the third-highest monthly solar installations on record. In this month alone, nearly 28,000 installations were completed across residential, commercial and utility-scale projects. Rooftop solar arrays accounted for over 70% of installations completed in July 2026, equating to one rooftop installation every two minutes across Great Britain, according to DESNZ.  

The UK government recently published a detailed regional breakdown of solar array locations. The data shows the UK’s top five regions for total solar installations in the past 12 months:

• East Midlands: 15,981 installations this year, up 17% since July 2025.
• North West: 15,927 installations this year, up 16% since July 2025.
• East of England: 18,109 installations this year, up 15% since July 2025.
• South East: 22,628 installations this year, up 14% since July 2025.
• South West: 17,539 installations this year, up13% since July 2025.

In addition, Wales recorded an 18% increase in total solar installations over the past 12 months, while Scotland saw a 14% increase during the same period.

Highlighting the regional numbers, Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: ‘From the South East to Scotland, households across Britain are embracing solar power and taking control of their energy.’

Emphasising lower energy costs, Shanks added: ‘Record numbers of families are installing solar panels to generate clean, homegrown power, helping them cut their energy bills. And through our Warm Homes Plan, we will upgrade homes, tackle fuel poverty and make rooftop solar more affordable for families.’

Welcoming the regulatory update, the Energy Minister continued: ‘By making plug-in solar available across Great Britain, we’re making it easier than ever for more families to benefit from Britain’s solar revolution.’

These regulatory updates enabled high-street retailers to begin selling plug-in solar equipment directly to consumers. Retailers launching national product lines include Currys, B&Q, Screwfix, Amazon and Argos.

In a consumer guide, Argos says that plug-in solar is a way to make solar power more accessible to people with insufficient roof space for traditional systems.  

Octopus Energy became the first major supplier to offer plug-in solar kits directly to British consumers on 28 August 2026, with prices starting at £450. The company says it designed the hardware for residents of flats, people who rent properties, and residents of properties without suitable roof space. Standard Octopus kits include 460W panels that can be mounted directly onto walls or floors with a standard UK three-pin plug.  

Argos says that the panels pass electricity that they generate through a microinverter, converting the power from DC to AC before it is used in the home’s electricity circuit to feed demand in preference to outside supply. It also says that up to 800W of such systems are now allowed and should be registered. It also advises that before installation consumers have their home energy system checked for suitability by an electrician.  

Speaking on setup requirements, Octopus confirms customers can complete installation within one hour without technical assistance. Occupants can disconnect and move the hardware when they move house and can monitor real-time generation output with the Octopus mobile application.

A two-panel setup can reduce household electricity bills by up to £150 per year, Octopus claims. It estimates a five-and-a-half year payback period when users combine two-panel setups with smart export tariffs. Looking ahead, Octopus has announced plans to connect plug-in solar arrays to its Nook Cube battery unit in early 2027.

Speaking on the product rollout, Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, Chief Product and Marketing Officer at Octopus, said: ‘You shouldn’t need a roof to tap into the savings. Plug-in solar democratises cheaper energy, making sure everyone can shrink their bill while helping build a greener grid.’