British homeowners are reportedly racing to future-proof their properties against global energy shocks, with new data from Octopus Energy, one of the UK’s largest energy suppliers, showing a 27% surge in solar installation enquiries since the start of the most recent conflict in the Middle East.
Current geopolitical turmoil has caused a dash for solar, as households seek to shield their bills from the volatile global gas market. Since late February, gas prices have soared by more than 60%.
Solar and Battery Eco-system (Image: Fox-ESS.com)
According to the latest industry data from MCS, the UK is currently experiencing its strongest year on record for solar. More than 260,000 homes installed solar in 2025, bringing the total to 1.85 million households generating their own clean energy.
Battery storage shows similar interest
Recent data from MCS also shows that battery installations in the UK nearly doubled year-on-year, allowing households to capture and use their own power during peak evening hours.
Aside from security of energy and less reliance on the national grid, Octopus Energy claims that home solar generation provides a “massive reduction” in bills for households. A report from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), found that an average homeowner could save around £500 a year on energy bills by installing rooftop solar panels.
Read more: Electrical Contracting News
