At a glance
- Ynys Mon (Anglesey) in Wales has the most solar panel installations per 10,000 people in the UK.
- Homeownership and rural location are two key factors in solar panel adoption.
- South Staffordshire, West Midlands has the biggest solar panel potential in the UK.
Solar panels are suitable for anywhere in the UK. But our research shows that that some areas have a lot more solar panels than others. With that in mind, our experts looked at which areas of the UK have the most solar panels in 2026, and why.
To make sure there’s consistency across the whole UK, we looked at the number of home solar panel installations per 10,000 people.
Jump to solar hotspots in your region:
Our methodology
We looked at data from the following sources:
- Number of domestic solar panel installations by UK local authority: MCS Dashboard
- Population of each UK local authority: ONS, National Records of Scotland, NISRA
- Home ownership by local authority: ONS, Welsh Government website, Scottish Government website, NISRA
- Rural classification: MCS Dashboard
Our energy experts then worked out the number of residential solar panel installations per 10,000 people as:
([Number of solar panel installations] / [Population]) *10,000
Which UK local authorities have the most solar panels?
Ynys Mon (Anglesey) in Wales wins, with 649 solar panel installations per 10,000 people.
| Area | Region | Solar panel installations per 10,000 people |
|---|---|---|
| Ynys Môn (Anglesey) | Wales | 649 |
| Ceredigion | Wales | 551 |
| Powys | Wales | 465 |
| Pembrokeshire | Wales | 424 |
| Aberdeenshire | Scotland | 423 |
People usually assume that areas with more solar panels are in areas that get more sunshine. But given that the top five areas are all in Wales and Scotland, which aren’t exactly famous for having great weather, we need to look elsewhere.
A clearer connection is that the top UK solar hotspots are in areas where a high proportion of the population are homeowners.
This is an important factor. If you own your own home, you’ve got much more freedom to make these kinds of changes. If you’re renting or in social housing, it’s more complex.
Another strong factor is local authorities that have a higher than average number of homes in rural areas.
Rural homes can mean larger houses (e.g. detached) and more roof space to make use of solar power. In fact, there are only almost all local authorities in the top 50 are more relatively rural.
Which UK local authorities have the least solar panels?
The City of London is the lowest with just two solar panel installations per 10,000 people.
| Area | Region | Solar panel installations per 10,000 people |
|---|---|---|
| City of London | London | 2 |
| Tower Hamlets | London | 9 |
| Kensington and Chelsea | London | 12 |
| Westminster | London | 13 |
| Islington | London | 20 |
It’s no surprise that the areas with the lowest number of residential solar panels are all in a large urban area like London. These areas have a high percentage of people living in flats compared to the national average. Installing solar panels in flats can be more complicated because you’re more likely to have shared ownership of the roof.
These areas have a much smaller level of home ownership, which may make solar panels more difficult to get. If you’re renting, it’s up to your landlord to make these kinds of changes to the property.
If you’re currently renting, speak to your landlord about installing solar panels. Even if it’s not possible, there are still ways you can save energy while renting.
There may be some hope for renters, though. The UK Government is working on bringing plug-in solar panels to the UK for the first time. This means that people living in flats are more likely to be able to use solar panels.
Outside of London, the areas with the fewest solar panels are still in urban areas with relatively low home ownership:
| Area | Region | Solar panel installations per 10,000 people |
|---|---|---|
| Belfast | Northern Ireland | 33 |
| Glasgow City | Scotland | 45 |
| Tameside | North West | 45 |
| Harlow | East | 48 |
| Rochdale | North West | 49 |
Which local authorities saw the biggest growth compared to 2025?
Neath Port Talbot saw the biggest growth compared to 2025, increasing its solar panel installations by 73%.
In 2025, Neath Port Talbot council unveiled its ‘house of the future’ – a 1920s home that with a suite of energy efficient upgrades. These included solar panels and battery storage.
| Area | Region | Solar panel installations per 10,000 people | Growth compared to 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neath Port Talbot | Wales | 238 | 73% |
| Bury | North West | 94 | 60% |
| Middlesborough | North East | 82 | 59% |
| Norwich | East | 153 | 54% |
| Kingston upon Hull | Yorkshire and the Humber | 65 | 54% |
Which local authorities in England have the most solar panels?
South Hams comes out on top, with 409 solar panel installations per 10,000 people.
| Area | Region | Solar panel installations per 10,000 people |
|---|---|---|
| South Hams | South West | 409 |
| Boston | East Midlands | 389 |
| Mid Suffolk | East | 360 |
| South Holland | East Midlands | 351 |
| Torridge | South West | 335 |
| South Norfolk | East | 335 |
| East Lindsey | East Midlands | 333 |
| South Cambridgeshire | East | 328 |
| East Cambridgeshire | East | 326 |
| North Devon | South West | 321 |
Most of the hotspots in the top 10 are in the South West or East of England. Given how sunny and warm these areas are, you’d think this was the main reason for a high number of solar panels. But as is the case across the UK, we’ve found that home ownership is a much bigger factor.
As with the top UK hotspots, all these areas have an above average number of homeowners. They’re also all in areas that have a higher than average number of rural homes.
Which local authorities in Scotland have the most solar panels?
Abderdeenshire has the most solar panels in Scotland, with 423 installations per 10,000 people.
| Area | Solar panel installations per 10,000 people |
|---|---|
| Aberdeenshire | 423 |
| Dumfries and Galloway | 400 |
| Moray | 363 |
| Argyll and Bute | 336 |
| Perth and Kinross | 334 |
| Scottish Borders | 331 |
| Highland | 310 |
| Angus | 290 |
| North Ayrshire | 279 |
| East Lothian | 265 |
As with the rest of the UK, the top areas in Scotland are those that have a higher than average number of rural homes. Home ownership is still an important factor, though less strong than in England. Here, home ownership rates in the top 10 range from 65% to 75%.
Scotland in generally does well, with 23 out of 32 local authorities showing above average solar panels per 10,000 people.
Part of this may be because Scottish residents have access to tailored advice through long-standing, government-backed services like Home Energy Scotland.
Which local authorities in Wales have the most solar panels?
Ynys Môn (Anglesey) is at the top of the list, with 649 solar panel installations per 10,000 people.
| Area | Solar panel installations per 10,000 people |
|---|---|
| Ynys Môn | 649 |
| Ceredigion | 551 |
| Powys | 465 |
| Pembrokeshire | 424 |
| Gwynedd | 390 |
| Denbighshire | 358 |
| Carmarthenshire | 310 |
| Monmouthshire | 298 |
| Flintshire | 267 |
| Conwy | 259 |
In Wales we see the same patterns as the rest of the UK. The more rural areas are towards the top of the list, and there’s a high level of home ownership across Wales.
Part of Wales’s success could also lie in its support from the Welsh Government. In Wales, eligible homes can get support to install solar panels with the Welsh Government Warm Homes Nest scheme.
Which local authorities in Northern Ireland have the most solar panels?
Lisburn and Castlereagh has the most solar panels in Northern Ireland, with 109 installations per 10,000 people.
| Area | Solar panel installations per 10,000 people |
|---|---|
| Lisburn and Castlereagh | 109 |
| Newry, Mourne and Down | 104 |
| Ards and County Down | 101 |
| Causeway Coast and Glens | 99 |
| Antrin and Newtonabbey | 97 |
| Mid and East Antrim | 90 |
| Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon | 86 |
| Derry City and Strabane | 75 |
| Mid Ulster | 62 |
| Fermanagh and Omagh | 57 |
| Belfast | 172 |
Overall, Northern Ireland has a much lower density of solar panels than other areas of the UK, and all areas fall below the UK average. However, six areas have seen above average growth over the last 12 months:
- Antrim and Newtownabbey
- City, Banbridge and Craigavon
- Lisburn and Castlereagh
- Mid Ulster
- Ards and North Down
- Mid and East Antrim
The introduction of the Warm Homes Plan may also help to speed up solar adoption in Northern Ireland. The plan aims to triple solar panel installations across the UK by 2030.
Part of the Warm Homes Plan includes:
- Fully-funded government support for solar panels and other energy upgrades for low-income families.
- Low or no-interest loans for all homeowners regardless of income.
This additional support should see solar adoption rise across the UK.
Which local authorities have the greatest solar panel potential?
We can see that certain areas have great potential to take part in what former energy secretary Ed Miliband called the ‘rooftop revolution’.
We’ve identified the areas with greatest solar panel potential based on:
- A below average number of solar panel installations per 10,000 people (UK median 123).
- An above average percentage of homeowners (UK median 68%).
- A higher than average percentage of rural homes.
- Above average growth compared to 2025 (UK median 23%).
We’ve ordered this list by the highest percentage of home ownership. We’ve organised these local authorities by rate of growth compared to 2025.
| Area | Region | Solar panel installations per 10,000 people | Home ownership | Growth compared to 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Staffordshire | West Midlands | 119 | 75% | 46 |
| Fylde | North West | 99 | 72% | 40% |
| North Warwickshire | West Midlands | 113 | 72% | 36% |
| Wyre Forest | West Midlands | 113 | 70% | 31% |
| West Lancashire | North West | 109 | 72% | 29% |
| Orkney Islands | Scotland | 74 | 72% | 29% |
| Epping Forest | East | 95 | 71% | 25% |
| Lichfield | West Midlands | 106 | 74% | 24% |
| High Peak | East Midlands | 117 | 72% | 23% |
These areas are already in prime solar panel locations due to the higher rate of homeowners and rural homes.
Having a higher than average rate of growth also implies that there’s some level of interest in ramping up solar panel uptake in the area.
What do I do if I want to install solar panels?
If you live in one of these hotspots, speak to your local authority about what advice and support might be available to you.
If you’re curious about how solar could work for you, here’s what you can do:
- Use our solar panel calculator to work out what size solar panel system is right for you. The tool will also give you an idea of installation costs and how much you could save on your electricity bills.
- Get quotes from at least three different MCS-certified solar panel installers. You can find qualified installers in your area on the MCS website.
For most homes, solar panels are considered ‘permitted developments’ and don’t usually need planning permission. However, this doesn’t apply if you live in a:
- listed building
- conservation area
- national park
If this applies to you, speak to your local planning office to find out whether a solar installation is possible.
For more information, see our step-by-step guide to installing solar panels.
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