Over Half of UK Adults Considering Solar as Energy Price Fears Rise

• 91% of UK adults fear geopolitical instability will push electricity prices higher for a prolonged period.
• While just 15% currently have solar panels, 51% say recent geopolitical instability has increased their interest in installing them.
• Good Energy saw a 91% increase in solar panel installation sales in February and March this year. This momentum has continued in Q2 to date, with domestic customer sales at record levels.
• Search demand for solar has surged by 104% since January, reflecting rapidly rising public interest.
• Solar is increasingly seen as a practical solution to rising energy costs, with 38% saying it could reduce bills in the next 1–2 years - compared with just 24% who say switching supplier would help
• Neighbour influence is rising: 39% are more likely to install solar if others on their street already have
• Battery adoption is also rising as more households look to store energy for use during peak pricing periods and reduce reliance on the grid. 

British households are turning to solar power at a pace as energy costs continue to climb and global instability fuels concerns about future price shocks.

New research commissioned by Good Energy reveals that 91% of UK adults are concerned geopolitical instability will continue to drive up long-term electricity prices. While just 15% UK households currently have solar panels installed, more than half (51%) say recent geopolitical instability has increased their interest in installing solar in the next one to two years.^[1]

This rising anxiety comes against a backdrop of already‑stretched household budgets. As a result, solar power is increasingly being viewed as a practical response to price pressure rather than a purely environmental choice. More than a third (38%) of households say solar could reduce their bills within the next one to two years, compared with just 24% who believe switching supplier would deliver similar savings. Long‑term bill reductions (46%) and greater energy independence (32%) emerge as the strongest motivations for those considering installation, highlighting a clear shift towards households seeking protection from external shocks.

Good Energy is already seeing this shift in sentiment translate into action. The company has recorded a 91% increase in solar panel sales in the first quarter of this year, with March becoming the most successful month for installations in the company’s history^[2]. This momentum has continued in Q2 to date, with domestic customer sales at record levels. This surge is also reflected online, with search interest in solar panels increasing by 104% since January.

At the same time, households are increasingly pairing solar with battery storage to maximise the value of the energy they generate. Good Energy’s latest data shows that batteries were included in 78% of total solar and storage sales in May (month-to-date), rising steadily from 62% in January. Standalone battery adoption is also growing, accounting for over a quarter of monthly sales in March and April, as more households look to store energy for use during peak pricing periods and reduce reliance on the grid.^[3]

Neighbour influence is playing an increasingly important role in accelerating uptake. The research suggests a growing “Solar Street Effect”. Four in ten households (39%) say they are more likely to consider home upgrades such as solar panels if their neighbours have already done so, underlining the importance of visibility and social proof in accelerating adoption.^[4]

Despite this rising demand, barriers remain. Nearly one in three (30%) adults still lack confidence in how solar panels work, indicating that education and accessibility will be key to scaling adoption further.

Carl Hogg, Managing Director at Good Energy, said: 

“In the current climate, one thing that households are looking for is certainty around their electricity bills. Solar is one of the few ways people can take a bit more control, generate their own power and reduce their exposure to those global shocks. We have seen this reflected in demand, with a 91% increase in sales from February to March this year.

“We are also seeing how much influence neighbours have. Once a few homes on a street install solar, others start to look into it seriously. It makes it feel more normal and more achievable.

“There is still a gap when it comes to understanding how it all works, and that is something the industry needs to keep improving. But the shift is clear. For many households now, they are conscious about securing energy independence.”

Survey Details 

The research was carried out online by Research Without Barriers – RWB – surveying over 2,000 respondents between April 24-26 2026.

About Good Energy  

Good Energy has been at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution since 1999, helping homes and businesses to generate, use and share renewable electricity.   

From supplying customers with 100% renewable electricity from over 2,500 British generators, to serving over 180,000 people who generate their own clean power, Good Energy has built a reputation for supporting independent renewable generation.   

Today, Good Energy also installs clean technology such as batteries, EV chargers and solar panels, including a nationwide commercial solar installation service. It also offers flexible tariffs for EV drivers and heat pump owners, as well as competitive export rates ensuring solar generators get paid fairly for the power they share.   

Good Energy is a Which? Eco Provider for Energy, is rated 5 stars by customers on Trustpilot, and is Britain’s only B Corp-certified home energy supplier.   

An energy company standing up for the planet and powering a cleaner, greener future? That’s Good Energy.  

REGIONAL BREAKDOWN 

Leeds

• 42% of people in Leeds say they are looking to install solar panels to help reduce their energy bills over the next one to two years.
• 49% say the benefit of long‑term savings on bills is the number one reason for wanting to install solar panels.
• It comes as 73% say they are worried about the impact of geopolitical instability on electricity prices.
• Just 9% of households in Leeds currently have solar panels installed.

Glasgow

• 36% of people in Glasgow say they are looking to install solar panels to help reduce their energy bills over the next one to two years.
• 43% say the benefit of long‑term savings on bills is the number one reason for wanting to install solar panels.
• It comes as 71% say they are worried about the impact of geopolitical instability on electricity prices.
• Just 16% of households in Glasgow currently have solar panels installed.

Manchester

• 41% of people in Manchester say they are looking to install solar panels to help reduce their energy bills over the next one to two years.
• 46% say the benefit of long‑term savings on bills is the number one reason for wanting to install solar panels.
• It comes as 69% say they are worried about the impact of geopolitical instability on electricity prices
• Just 13% of households in Manchester currently have solar panels installed.

Newcastle

• 32% of people in Newcastle say they are looking to install solar panels to help reduce their energy bills over the next one to two years.
• 31% say the benefit of long‑term savings on bills is the number one reason for wanting to install solar panels.
• It comes as 61% say they are worried about the impact of geopolitical instability on electricity prices.
• Just 11% of households in Newcastle currently have solar panels installed.

Birmingham

• 39% of people in Birmingham say they are looking to install solar panels to help reduce their energy bills over the next one to two years.
• 42% say the benefit of long‑term savings on bills is the number one reason for wanting to install solar panels.
• It comes as 68% say they are worried about the impact of geopolitical instability on electricity prices
• Just 15% of households in Birmingham currently have solar panels installed. 

Source : Good Energy

Image : Lari Bat / iStock / 1349360708

For all the very latest news and intelligence on the UK's largest home improvement and garden retailers, sign up for the Insight DIY weekly newsletter.