Green energy success with heat pumps and solar panels record

Despite the unpredictable weather during the first half of 2023, it has been a record year for installing heat pumps and solar panels.

Up until the end of June 120,000 certified solar panels, heat pumps and other renewable technologies were put up in homes over the first six months of 2023 – the highest number ever by this point in a year.

If this trend continues, nearly a quarter of a million households could install renewable energy by the end of this year, according to data from Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), the official standards body for renewables.

“These figures are really encouraging with a 62 per cent year-on-year increase compared to the same period in 2022,” said Midlands energy expert Ron Fox. “It shows many are listening to the green message and doing something about it,”

He said this year is also the first to average more than 17,000 solar panel installations, and more than 3,000 heat pumps installations per month with June recording more than any other time.

The previous record for renewable installations was in 2012, when households rushed to fit solar panels before the Government axed the feed-in tariff incentive scheme.

However, the figures are far below government targets. They are hoping to reach 70GW of solar capacity by 2035 and install 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028 as part of their drive to reach net zero on harmful emissions by 2050.

To try and hit this they are offering grants of £5,000 – £6,000 under the boiler upgrade scheme, but certification is required before householders are given this money.

Full installation of heat pumps costs between £7,000 and £15,000 with a ground source heat pump more expensive still.

The growth in solar panels and heat pumps has been mirrored by battery storage growth, with each month this year being a record one for battery technologies, with more than 1,000 batteries going into homes and businesses so far in 2023.

However, Ron said the only downside was that progress could be slowed by a lack of skilled workers.

Industry specialists say another 50,000 heat pump installers will need to be trained up for the government to hit this 600,000 annual target.

“It is vital the Government and the green industry invest more in training to ensure that there is a workforce which can respond to this growing demand for renewable energy,” said Ron, of Noreus Ltd on the University of Keele Science Innovation Park.

“Also, I support the MCS which is calling on the government to ensure solar panels, heat pumps, and battery storage are fitted in all new residences from 2025 under the new Future Homes Standard,” concluded Ron.

For more information on installing heat pumps and solar panels and finding out more about green energy call Ron on 01782 756995.

Caption: Record breakers – 2023 has been a bumper year so far for installing heat pumps and solar panels.