A report commissioned by energy supplier OVO has revealed that the UK could collectively save £5.6 billion on energy bills if all homes eligible for solar panels were to have them installed. The study, conducted by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), found that almost half (48%) of the nation’s housing stock is suitable for solar panels but currently lacks them.
The report suggests that installing solar panels on these 13.7 million homes could generate 28.5 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity, significantly cutting carbon emissions by 14.8 million tonnes. This reduction is equivalent to taking over half of the UK’s petrol cars off the road for a year. The generated energy could power all of the UK’s electric vehicles (EVs) for nearly 10 years, the research adds.
The report also highlights the slow pace of solar adoption, noting that at the current installation rate of 163,000 homes per year, it would take 84 years for all eligible households to benefit. The study calls for a faster roll-out of solar technology to meet the UK government’s targets of tripling solar power capacity by 2030 and reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
OVO, seeking to encourage quicker adoption, has launched a new “Battery Boost” tariff add-on. This innovative service enables solar panel owners to charge their batteries at just 10p per kWh during low-demand periods when less fossil fuel energy is used. Customers could save an additional £120 per year on top of savings from solar panels.
Scott Duncan, OVO’s Head of Solar and Storage, emphasised the vast untapped potential of residential rooftops. He stated, “This new analysis shows the UK’s rooftops have huge solar potential to generate renewable energy, save money off bills, and cut carbon emissions.” He added that OVO is ready to support this transition by offering free solar panels through their OVO Beyond scheme, as well as 0% finance for solar panel installations.
According to the BRE analysis, the potential energy generated by residential solar power would help the National Grid by feeding surplus energy back into the system. This would help reduce the UK’s dependence on fossil fuels, especially at times of high demand. By switching to solar power, households could save an average of £410 per year, nearly a quarter of the current average energy bill under the October price cap.
Professor Alastair Buckley, Academic Director at Sheffield Solar, praised the findings, stating that while commercial and large-scale solar installations have increased, residential uptake has lagged behind. He urged more households to take advantage of solar technology, especially given the potential for long-term savings.
However, OVO’s consumer research revealed that high upfront costs remain a major barrier for many. While 65% of respondents wanted the government to prioritise solar energy initiatives, 60% were unaware of the financial incentives available to help with installation costs.
OVO hopes that with initiatives like Battery Boost and its free solar panels scheme, more households will be motivated to make the switch, supporting the UK’s green energy goals and cutting household energy costs. To find out more about how OVO is helping the nation start its rooftop revolution, visit: (https://www.ovoenergy.com/solar-panels).
