What Do People Really Think About Solar Panels In 2026?

Solar panels have become increasingly popular in recent years. According to MCS-certified data and recent government figures over 1.5 million to 1.7 million homes in the UK have solar panel installations as of early 2026. This represents approximately 5.5% to 5.6% of all households. 

2025 saw record numbers of solar panel systems installed with over 244,000 installations recorded in the first 11 months. This broke the previous annual record set in 2011. 

In 2026, rising energy costs, new government incentives and the growing awareness of climate change are shaping how people view solar power. In this article, we will look at the benefits, concerns and misconceptions that affect people’s decision to adopt solar PV.

Why do people choose solar panels?

At a time when the cost of living is high and energy prices have soared, the main motivation for homeowners considering solar is clear. Most want to reduce their energy bills. A survey conducted by the Energy Saving Trust via YouGov, in May 2025, with over 2,000 UK adults taking part, found that 71% of respondents cited reducing electricity costs as the main reason for considering installing a solar panel system. 

In the past, solar installations were expensive. However, costs have fallen by more than 80% over the last decade. A standard 4kW solar PV system in the UK is expected to cost between £5,500 and £8,000+ in 2026, depending on factors such as roof type, location, and installation complexity. With a payback period of around 6 to 10 years, households may see annual electricity savings of roughly £500 to £700, although actual savings will vary based on usage patterns, export tariffs, installation costs, and other factors. 

In another related but separate study, the 2025 UK Solar Sentiment Survey, found 66% of households view solar as a major cost-saving opportunity. Greenfox Energy teamed up with the Scottish Building Society to carry out this survey for the third year in a row, to better understand how UK consumers feel about solar panels. The results show that, over the past three years, UK homeowners have shifted from being sceptical about solar PV to feeling more confident about its financial benefits. 

There’s been a huge jump in the positive attitude towards solar PV from 12 months ago when just 50% of households believed that solar PV could reduce their energy bills. Homeowners have come to realise that installing a solar panel system can protect them from fluctuating grid tariffs. 

Adding a solar battery can further increase energy independence and, in some cases, reduce electricity bills by up to 70% when paired with a well-designed and professionally installed solar PV system. That said, batteries significantly increase the upfront cost, which can extend the overall payback period.

With battery storage systems becoming more affordable and efficient, many more homeowners are choosing solar plus storage which means they can store excess daytime energy to use in the evening giving them greater control over their energy bills. Approximately 56% of homeowners make solar a priority to reduce their reliance on the national grid and gain protection from energy price volatility. Concerns over grid reliability have increased recently making solar combined with battery storage an attractive proposition as it offers energy independence by providing backup power during outages and reducing reliance on traditional utility providers.

Another factor affecting solar adoption is ‘environmental impact.’ Many UK consumers are concerned about the environment and their carbon footprint, especially younger homeowners. Energy Saving Trust’s 2025 survey revealed that 56% of 18–24-year-olds cited ‘environmental impact’ as a key reason for considering solar panels compared to only 37% of respondents aged 55 and over. With the UK endeavouring to meet net-zero targets by 2050, 57% of the public see solar PV as a way to help the planet. 

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) regularly publishes its Public Attitudes Tracker which consistently shows solar to be the most popular renewable energy source. The Spring 2025 DESNZ tracker identified that 86% of the public support solar energy, slightly ahead of wave and tidal (81%) and offshore wind (80%). Data from the tracker also indicates that “strong support” for solar energy is highest among those aged under 35 (between 60% and 63%) compared to those aged 35 and over (49% to 56%). The public are not quite as happy to have a solar plant built in their area with separate research indicating that 76-77% of the public are happy for the installation to go ahead. 

What concerns do people have about solar panels?

Despite solar PV’s overall high approval, many homeowners still have reservations about installing solar panel systems. 

The upfront cost is still the chief reason homeowners don’t install a solar panel system. A solar panel system can be a significant investment with an average cost of between £5,500 and £8,000+ for a typical 3-bedroom house. Not everyone will be aware that depending on where you live, there might be financial support available for the initial outlay. Also, some homeowners may not know about the Smart Export Guarantee which ensures you are paid for any excess electricity you export to the grid. 

According to the Energy Saving Trust’s survey, 44% of those who hadn’t thought about or hadn’t switched to solar already, said it was because it’s expensive. And for 38%, it wasn’t a financial priority right now. Some homeowners may not realise that, depending on system size, energy usage and finance structure, savings can begin immediately. Somewhat surprisingly, 41% of people didn’t say they’d get solar panels even if money was no object. At the same time, 46% of people would like to get a solar battery which would allow them to use more of the energy they produced if the cost weren’t prohibitive. 

According to the 2025 UK Solar Sentiment Survey, 1 in 6 homeowners fear that their solar technology will become outdated before they’ve made their money back due to long payback periods. 

1 in 10 respondents from the same survey mistakenly think that there’s no point having solar panels in the UK as there’s not enough sunshine to power the system. Overall, 62% of UK adults believe solar panels are effective at generating energy but there are some regional differences. Confidence in solar effectiveness is particularly low in Scotland and the North of England due to perceived lack of sunshine, despite modern panels now being designed to generate power from daylight regardless of direct sun. Many homeowners in Eastern England also underestimate effectiveness despite high solar potential. Today, solar panel efficiency is higher than ever, usually around 20-23%. 

A well-designed system can cover a significant proportion of a household’s annual electricity demand, depending on usage patterns and system size. There is also increased interest in advanced, high-efficiency technology such as perovskite solar cells, which are entering commercial production now.

According to the Energy Saving Trust’s survey, approximately 61% of respondents were concerned about the trustworthiness of solar panel installation offers and quotes. Trust in the solar industry is a major concern with retired homeowners most likely to worry about scams or misleading installation offers. 36% of respondents said that impartial guidance would make them more likely to install solar panels. 

The UK Solar Sentiment survey revealed that 15% of solar generating homeowners wouldn’t be confident to recommend their installer to friends and family. This is often due to the level of service and lack of qualifications. 40% of survey respondents didn’t receive any information from the installers on how to maintain their solar system and a staggering 50% received no system registration details at all.

Unfortunately, this trend indicates that the success of the UK solar energy industry is attracting some opportunistic, less well-qualified and less experienced fitters. However, homeowners can protect themselves from poor quality solar installations by using an MCS-Certified installer. The Microgeneration Certification Scheme is an industry led quality assurance organisation. 56% of respondents said they would be more likely to install solar through a local, trusted business.

In conclusion

In 2026, public opinion on solar panels is more positive and informed than ever before. While the initial cost for a solar PV system is still a key concern, most homeowners now see solar as a practical way to reduce energy bills and protect themselves from rising electricity prices. Although environmental concerns remain important, particularly for younger generations, financial savings are clearly the main driver. 

Confidence in solar technology has grown considerably in the last few years. As solar technology has become more efficient, the cost of installation has fallen, and people have become more aware of government incentives, there has been a change in attitude to solar technology from scepticism to cautious optimism. However, there are still questions around payback periods, batteries, installation quality and changing regulations which influence decision-making.

Solar panels are no longer considered to be a niche or experimental home upgrade. Many more households in 2026 see a solar PV system as a mainstream home improvement that can save money, increase energy independence, and reduce environmental impact.