A new study showing which locations in the UK are leading the way in solar panel adoption ranks County Durham as the seventh highest rate in the UK.
County Durham has 14,001 installations across 234,800 households, equivalent to a 6% adoption rate.
Energy experts at E.ON UK have analysed GOV UK data to determine which locations have the highest rates of residential solar panel adoption across the country.
A spokesperson at E.ON UK commented on the findings said: “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.”
In other parts of the region, neighbouring North Yorkshire is third highest for solar installations across the country.
England’s largest county has 22,983 installations in total. These are spread across an estimated 274,400 households, yielding an adoption rate of just over 8%. The figures point to steady growth in solar energy use, especially across the county’s rural communities.
In Northumberland, 12,908 solar panel systems serve roughly 146,900 households, equating to an adoption rate of 9%.
The full league table is as follows;
- Cornwall with 31,024 solars
- Somerset with 24,603 solars
- North Yorkshire with 22,983 solars
- Wiltshire with 19,794 solars
- Aberdeenshire with 17,381 solars
- Dorset with 15,744 solars
- County Durham with 14,001 solars
- Buckinghamshire with 13,619 solars
- Leeds with 13,417 solars
- Birmingham with 13,328 solars
- Fife with 13,057 solars
- Northumberland with 12,908 solars
- North Somerset with 12,108 solars
- South Cambridgeshire with 11,862 solars
- Shropshire with 11,793 solars
The E.ON UK spokesperson added: “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.”
This article first appeared at www.thenortherneco.com which publishes environmental news across the North East and North Yorkshire.
The results of this survey come as the Government has announced its Warm Homes Plan. In upcoming issues we’ll be looking in more depth at this new scheme.
Sarah Hartley
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
