Ellie Ames 12 February 2025

Rooftop solar panels could cut energy bills by a quarter, report finds

Rooftop solar panels could cut energy bills by a quarter, report finds image
Image: Marcin Rogozinski / Shutterstock.com

Rooftop solar panels could cut poorer households’ energy bills by almost a quarter, new research has found.

The Resolution Foundation found that for the 3.6 million ‘fuel poor’ families who spend over a tenth of their disposable income on energy bills, savings from rooftop solar panels could reduce their energy bills by 24%.

The think-tank said successfully rolling out rooftop solar panels to lower-income households could lift as many as 1.2 million families in Britain out of fuel poverty.

But just 8% of roofs have solar panels installed.

A key reason for poor take-up is high upfront costs, with a 3KW currently solar panel costing around £6,500, while three-fifths of low-income households have less than £1,000 in savings, according to the report.

Researchers found that reductions in government support were also a factor.

In 2015, 35% of solar panels were installed in the poorest areas, with 31% in the richest. But by 2023, solar panels were more than twice as likely to be installed in the richest neighbourhoods than the poorest ones.

The Resolution Foundation said the Government should consider offering means-tested grants or loans to cover upfront costs.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Environmental Services Manager

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Up to £58072 per annum
Help us shape a greener, safer and fairer borough.At the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, we're proud of our neighbourhoods - and we're always England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Environmental Services Manager

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Up to £58072 per annum
Help us shape a greener, safer and fairer borough.At the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, we're proud of our neighbourhoods - and we're always England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Residential Assistant

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £25395.00 per annum
Residential AssistantPermanent, Full Time£25,081 up to £25,395 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Team Co-Ordinator (Family and Children Services)

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Support the people who support our children and familiesSupport the people who support our children and familiesBehind every great social work team is England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Social Worker - Family Finding, Adoption West Essex

Essex County Council
£34902.0000 - £50081.0000 per annum
Social Worker - Family Finding, Adoption West EssexFixed Term, Full Time£34,902 to £50,081 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner