It's been a great month for solar power - and for consumers

The brilliant sunshine that graced the UK throughout April has not only broken solar power records but also contributed to the country's longest coal-free stretch since the industrial revolution began. It's amazing how clear skies and favorable conditions can make such a significant difference!

Last week, solar energy accounted for over 11% of the UK’s energy mix, hitting a new daily peak of 9.68GW on April 20th and setting a fresh weekly generation record of 485.41GWh. The 'maximum solar output,' boosted by the sunny weather and cooler temperatures, has kept coal power offline since April 10th, as reported by the Solar Trade Association.

Chris Hewett, CEO of the STA, emphasized the importance of solar energy in moving toward a fossil-free grid. He said, “Solar is key to delivering clean, affordable power to Britain. As we work toward net-zero goals, solar will play an even bigger role in reducing power costs, addressing climate change, and supporting biodiversity.”

Getting Paid to Use Electricity

Recently, we shared a tweet about how this month’s spike in solar power production allowed some households to receive compensation for using electricity during daylight hours—something unheard of until now! The combination of April’s perfect weather and a decrease in energy demand due to lockdowns created this unique situation.

Renewable energy surged during April, with wind farms supplying 40% of the energy mix and solar contributing nearly one-fifth of the overall demand. In contrast, coal plants only accounted for 1.1% of the total energy produced.

These numbers, paired with reduced energy needs from businesses and public venues under lockdown restrictions, have painted a positive outlook for homes equipped with solar panels and those on eco-friendly energy plans.

Switching to solar benefits both your wallet and the environment. Make the switch today.