Rooftop solar installations have soared to an all-time record high – here’s how electrical professionals can take advantage of the trend and grow their business.
MCS figures have shown that rooftop solar installations have soared in 2025, surpassing the UK’s previous annual record of 203,125 by mid-November of this year. The previous record was set in 2011’s ‘solar gold rush’, when UK householders rushed to get solar panels installed ahead of a reduction in government funding.
So, what was behind the increase this time? According to MCS, solar panel installations on new builds are largely behind the surge, accounting for 32% of total installations since it started collecting data on new build properties in October 2023.
This trend is only likely to accelerate when the Future Homes Standard, which is set to make solar panels a mandatory feature of all new build homes by 2027, is published later this year.
What does this mean for electrical professionals?
This significant increase in installations isn’t limited to rooftop solar. There is huge demand for low carbon installations and energy efficiency measures of all kinds as the UK gears up to meet its ambitious net zero targets. For example, last year also proved a record year for heat pump installations, with the Heat Pump Association (HPA) revealing sales of almost 100,000 hydronic heat pumps in 2024 alone – a 63% increase on the previous year.
And yet, the gap between the number of skilled workers needed to meet government targets and current numbers remains stark. The government’s Clean Power Action Plan targets an increase in the UK’s current solar capacity from 16.6GW (Q2 2024) to 45-47GW by 2030. According to Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) estimates, the solar industry could need up to 35,000 direct and indirect jobs to support this target – double today’s number.
And that’s where NICEIC-certified businesses can step in, ensure they have the skills and qualifications to stand out from the crowd, and take advantage of this enormous leap in government and consumer demand.
Upskill and grow
So, how can your business join the ranks of the solar installers currently revolutionising the UK’s electricity supply? Well, there are a wide range of courses and qualifications available to businesses looking to invest in upskilling their workforce and expanding into new, lucrative markets.
To ensure you’re getting the best quality, look for courses carrying the Electrician Plus kitemark. This is a scheme developed by The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP) to endorse low carbon qualifications that have met specific quality and competence standards. Electricians must be appropriately qualified before undertaking Electrician Plus courses, ensuring they have an adequate understanding of electrical scientific theory and principles before tackling new technologies.
NICEIC offers a range of Electrician Plus renewables courses, including the Level 3 Award in the Installation of Small Scale Solar Photovoltaic Systems, on our online shop. For a full list of Electrician Plus kitemarked qualifications, you can also visit the TESP website.
