Solar Energy Companies in the UK have achieved a milestone of 10.971 GW on 20th April 2023. This power generated will be sufficient to fulfill the solar power demand of 4000 households in Great Britain for an entire year. Several new solar power plants have been launched in the UK to reach new milestones. These solar power plants include Queequeg Solar PV Park, Botley West Solar Farm, Sunnica Solar PV Park, and many more. In 2021, Solar PV contributed more than 10% of renewable energy needs in the UK. 

In 2023, the UK witnessed a massive surge in solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, with about 183,000 installations nationwide. This figure is more than one-third of the total capacity installed in 2022, indicating a significant growth in our solar power infrastructure. The UK government is committed to achieving a net zero target, and the Climate Change Committee has proposed an installation capacity of 75-90 Gigawatts (GW) by 2050. Several projects are in the pipeline under the national grid for development and electricity generation to meet this goal. Let's delve into the top 5 upcoming solar power projects in the UK. 

Top Upcoming Solar Farms in the UK (Based on Capacity)

Queequeg Renewables Solar PV Park

The Queenqueg Renewable Solar PV Park, built in the UK, is a 1300 MW project built by Queequeg Renewables with a 100% stake. It is a renewable energy company headquartered in London and develops solar, wind, and battery storage projects across the UK.

This project is being built as a subsidy-free solar pipeline project, designed with single-axis tracker technology - PV panels move in only one direction, and bifacial crystalline modules - produce electricity from both sides of the panel. This project will be constructed in a single phase as the largest solar farm starting in 2025 and will likely begin its commercial operation by 2027.

Botley West Solar Farm

Botley West Solar Farm is developed and wholly owned by Photovolt Development Partners. Built with a capacity of 840 MW, it will connect to a new National Grid substation near Farmoor reservoir, promising to provide clean energy to approximately 330,000 homes. This ground-mounted solar project spans 971 hectares and is scheduled for construction in 2025, with commercial operations planned in 2026.

Additionally, Botley West Solar Farm aims to reduce climate change by delivering a Biodiversity Net Gain of at least 70%.  On 9th October 2025, an update was announced about public hearing schedule as a part of the final examination for the proposed 840 MW Botley Solar Farm.

One Earth Solar Farm

One Earth Solar Farm is being built as a 740 MW ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, supplemented by a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to optimize energy efficiency. This project aims to supply renewable energy to over 200,000 UK homes through the national grid connection with low-carbon electricity. Located across the River Trent, with High Marnham as the grid connection point, the site selection prioritizes accessibility and suitability for solar development.

PS Renewables is developing this project and will commission it by 2030. This project includes solar panel and battery storage installations. 

Sunnica Solar PV Park

The Sunnica Solar PV Park is being built around several villages in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. The solar capacity of this project is 500 MW and will power 172,000 households in the nearby towns. It began its construction in 2024, creating 1500 jobs. It is being built across 2,500 acres; this project is built in three sections- Sunnica East Site A ( West Row and Mildenhall), Sunnica East Site B (south of the village of Worlington), and Sunnica West Site A (near Newmarket north of the A14).

This project will have a lifespan of 40 years, and the agricultural land used will be returned after decontamination. It is being developed under Aylesbury-based Sunnica Limited. The estimated cost of this project is about LB 600 Million. It will enter its commercial operation by 2025.  

Cleve Hill Solar Park

Hive Energy develops the Cleve Hill Solar Park as a 373 MW project in the UK. It is being constructed over 175,000 hectares that will produce solar electricity for 100,000 households. The carbon brief includes an annual offset of 164,450 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions.

This project is being developed under Hive Energy and Wirsol Energy with Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners with a 100% stake. Cleve Hill Solar Park is a ground-mounted solar project with 880,000 modules. The construction of this project began in 2023 and will likely enter operation in 2025. Wirsole Energy is awarded this project's Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract. On 3rd July 2025, Cleve Hill Solar Park became operational, located in Kent this project boasts 300 MW solar capacity and 150 MW co-located battery energy storage system makin it one of the largest solar and battery storage installation in the UK.

Other notable solar power plants include: 

• Shotwick Solar Park

• Lyneham Solar Farm

• Wroughton Airfield Solar Park

• West Raynham Solar Farm

• Owls Hatch Solar Park

Special Mention - Larks Green Solar Farm- First transmission-connected solar farm in the UK

The Larks Green, developed by Cero Generation and Enso Energy, is the UK's first transmission-connected solar farm. This 49.9MW solar farm, integrated with a 49.5MW/99MWh battery energy storage system, connects directly to the National Grid's Iron Acton substation near Bristol. 

The project is widespread in 200 acres with 152,400 solar modules, and it will generate over 73,000MWh annually, powering approximately 17,300 homes and reducing CO2 emissions by 20,500 tons per year. Canadian Solar develops the Larks Green solar and battery project under an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract. Rabobank and EDF Renewables UK finance it for battery performance optimization. The battery system enhances the efficiency and reliability of the solar farm. This milestone supports the UK's 2035 decarbonization targets and enhances grid stability and energy security. 

Current and Future Outlook of Solar Power in the UK

The use of solar PV technology has expanded rapidly in the UK since 2010, with capacity growing from 95 MW to 13,800 MW by the end of 2021. Over one million solar PV installations now contribute over 10% of the UK’s renewable energy and 4% of its electricity generation. 

The UK government aims for a net zero target by 2050; the Climate Change Committee estimates that 75-90 GW of solar power will be needed. Several innovations have been introduced, including space-based solar power, which collects solar energy via satellite panels and beams it back to Earth wirelessly. The UK government has allocated Lb 4.3 Million to support solar-based projects from top universities. These university initiatives include Cambridge University developing ultra-lightweight solar panels for space, while Queen Mary University is creating a wireless energy transfer system. This futuristic approach, combined with increased ground-based solar installations, aims to meet the country's renewable energy goals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the surge in solar photovoltaic installations in the UK, exemplified by milestones like the 10.971 GW achievement in April 2023, underscores the nation's commitment to renewable energy and its transition towards a net-zero carbon future. UK continues to create milestones like the 10.971 GW achievement in April 2023. Projects like Queequeg Renewables Solar PV Park, Botley West Solar Farm, One Earth Solar Farm, Sunnica Solar PV Park, and Cleve Hill Solar Park further contribute to the UK government's net zero target 2050. These projects, along with others like Larks Green Solar Farm, contribute to clean energy production and prioritize sustainability and innovation. Thus, the UK government continues to support solar initiatives and invest in future technologies such as space solar projects.

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