Bank Holiday Sunshine Breaks UK Solar Record

During the May 2018 bank holiday—a record-breaking sunny weekend—solar panels set a new benchmark by contributing the highest percentage of the UK's energy needs. The peak output happened between 1:30 PM and 2:00 PM on Sunday, May 6th. Over the entire weekend, solar energy surpassed all other sources, including traditional fossil fuels, generating more electricity than any other energy provider.

This remarkable achievement really highlights the potential of renewable energy. Let’s break down the stats.

Over a Quarter of the Nation’s Power

Solar installations accounted for an impressive 28.5% of the UK’s total electricity usage during that time. To put this in perspective, gas-fired power plants managed only 24.8%, marking a significant shift in favor of solar energy. This figure even beats solar’s previous high of 26.1% recorded back in July 2017.

Nearly 10 Gigawatts of Clean Energy

At its peak, solar panels churned out 9.28 gigawatts of electricity. Considering that just one gigawatt can power around 300,000 homes, 9.28 gigawatts is an enormous amount. In fact, these numbers suggest that enough energy was generated to supply approximately 2.7 million homes and businesses. With only about 1 million homes in the UK equipped with solar panels, there was clearly a substantial excess of clean energy being produced.

What Made This Possible?

A few factors contributed to this incredible outcome. Firstly, the bright weather encouraged people to spend more time outdoors, enjoying parks and beaches. With fewer households using appliances like kettles and TVs, solar energy had more room to shine. Secondly, solar generation peaked on a weekend because industrial and office energy demands required conventional power plants during the week. As weekday energy needs dropped, solar power surged across the country.

Join the Solar Revolution

Even over a single day, we achieved a national record. That’s something to celebrate, and it shows just how powerful solar energy can be. But here’s the exciting part—you don’t need constant sunshine for your solar panels to function effectively. Contact one of our experts today to explore your solar possibilities, or call us at 0800 112 3110.

We’re passionate about making solar energy accessible to everyone. Be a part of the change—join us in embracing cleaner, greener energy solutions.