Energy experts at E.ON UK have analysed UK Government data to determine which locations have the highest rates of residential solar panel adoption across the country.
One in eight homes across Cornwall now has solar panels, with 31,024 systems across approximately 250,500 households. This corresponds to an adoption ratio of roughly 12%, indicating a significant regional commitment to decentralised renewable energy generation.
Somerset follows closely with 24,603 solar panel systems across an estimated 250,100 households. The resulting adoption rate of around 10% reflects strong community participation in renewable energy. North Yorkshire’s 22,983 installations are spread across an estimated 274,400 households, yielding an adoption rate of just over 8%.
Wiltshire records 19,794 solar installations across 215,100 households. Around one in every 11 (9%) households now has solar panels, and Aberdeenshire stands out as Scotland’s top solar region, with 17,381 installations serving approximately 117,419 households.
The top 15 UK locations with the highest number of solar panel installations
| Rank | Location | Country | Estimated number of households | Number of solar panel installations |
| 1 | Cornwall | England | 250,500 | 31,024 |
| 2 | Somerset | England | 250,100 | 24,603 |
| 3 | North Yorkshire | England | 274,400 | 22,983 |
| 4 | Wiltshire | England | 215,100 | 19,794 |
| 5 | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | 117,419 | 17,381 |
| 6 | Dorset | England | 169,300 | 15,744 |
| 7 | County Durham | England | 234,800 | 14,001 |
| 8 | Buckinghamshire | England | 220,300 | 13,619 |
| 9 | Leeds | England | 341,500 | 13,417 |
| 10 | Birmingham | England | 423,500 | 13,328 |
| 11 | Fife | Scotland | 171,913 | 13,057 |
| 12 | Northumberland | England | 146,900 | 12,908 |
| 13 | North Somerset | England | 94,600 | 12,108 |
| 14 | South Cambridgeshire | England | 67,000 | 11,862 |
| 15 | Shropshire | England | 139,600 | 11,793 |
Dorset ranks sixth and reports 15,744 solar panel systems among 169,300 households, translating to an adoption rate of roughly 9%. County Durham follows with 14,001 installationsacross 234,800 households, equivalent to a 6% adoption rate.
Buckinghamshire’s 13,619 solar systems span 220,300 households, resulting in a 6% adoption rate. While adoption is still developing, the figures show steady growth in residential solar across the county.
Leeds records 13,417 installations across 341,500 households, which is around a 4% adoption rate. Birmingham ranks tenth with 13,328 installations among 423,500 households, representing an adoption rate near 3%. Fife contributes 13,057 installations across 171,913 households, producing an adoption rate of approximately 8%.
Northumberland’s 12,908 solar panel systems serve roughly 146,900 households, equating to an adoption rate of 9%. North Somerset records 12,108 installations among 94,600 households, which is an impressive adoption rate of around 13%.
South Cambridgeshire has 11,862 systems across just 67,000 households, creating a18% adoption rate, which is among the best nationwide, highlighting the area’s proactive investment in clean energy technologies.
A spokesperson at E.ON UK said:
“This data shows the locations with the strongest commitment to renewable energy through solar adoption. Cornwall leads the UK in total solar panel installations with 31,024, reflecting a strong overall uptake, while South Cambridgeshire, with nearly 18% of households equipped, demonstrates how rural communities can achieve exceptionally high adoption rates.
“With households driving much of the current growth, there’s a major opportunity for businesses to follow suit. If every business in Cornwall were fitted with solar panels, the energy produced could power the equivalent of 130.12% of homes in the region, according to our research. In Somerset, that figure rises to 160.77%, showing significant potential for commercial sites to boost local renewable generation.
“Expanding solar adoption across both households and businesses will be key to making the energy transition affordable, sustainable and secure. As technology becomes more accessible and installation costs continue to fall, the path to energy independence is opening for more communities. By investing in solar installations across homes and workplaces alike, we can accelerate the UK’s move toward a cleaner, self-sufficient energy future that brings lower bills, stronger local infrastructure and greater energy security for everyone.”
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