On Tuesday (22nd April 2026) the National Grid hit a new milestone is solar power generation. At 15.2 GW 1pm UK time grid connected solar was generating a new record of 15.2 GW of Electricity.

Solar is becoming more important in the National Grid Mix

On a normal day the National grid demand tends to average demand of between 29-35GW meaning that at that point the solar energy mix was covering approximately half of the national grid's demand. A new milestone for solar. Especially as it's only April. With the summer coming we can expect this record to be beaten on mulitple days.

What's next for solar?

The current UK government's "Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero" (not the most catchy name) Ed Milliband is still charging ahead with more solar power farm approvals. Such as the recent approval of 800 MW Springwell Solar farm. The government appears to be making good on it's promise to push through solar farm approvals using the Planning Inspectorate.

The National Grid Solar Pipeline

Data from Locara's very own National grid pipeline page shows that there is over 32GW of solar power in the potential pipeline along with 1.9GW of extra solar power being constructed.

What happens when the sun doesn't shine?

When the sun isn’t shining, battery storage is becoming one of the most important pieces of the UK’s energy puzzle. Unlike traditional power stations, batteries don’t generate electricity themselves instead, they store excess energy produced when supply is high (for example, on a sunny or windy afternoon) and release it back into the grid when demand peaks later in the day. This helps smooth out the natural ups and downs of renewable energy and reduces the need to rely on fossil fuels during short bursts of high demand.

Across the UK, grid-scale battery projects have expanded rapidly in recent years, with large lithium-ion systems now installed alongside solar farms, wind projects, and key grid connection points. These installations are typically made up of container-sized battery units and are capable of delivering power almost instantly when needed. Their speed makes them particularly valuable for maintaining grid stability, helping to keep the system running at the correct frequency while responding to sudden changes in supply or demand.

However, it’s important to understand what batteries can and can’t do. Most of the UK’s current battery storage is designed for short-term use, typically storing enough energy for one to a few hours. That makes them ideal for handling daily fluctuations, such as the evening surge in electricity use after sunset. But they are not yet a solution for longer periods of low renewable output, such as cold, still winter weeks when both solar and wind generation can be limited.

Even with those limitations, battery storage is playing a growing role in making renewable energy more reliable and efficient. By capturing energy that might otherwise go to waste and shifting it to when it’s needed most, batteries help maximise the value of every unit of clean electricity generated. As technology improves and larger, longer-duration systems are developed, they are expected to become an even more central part of the UK’s transition to a low-carbon, renewable-powered grid.

The 2030 renewable goal

By 2030 the goal is to have an energy mix made up of:

• 50% Onshore and Offshore Wind
• 20-30% Solar Energy

Remember this is a cumulative average over the year. Solar is going to be carrying much more of the load in the spring and summer months than in autumn and winter.

Conclusion

That 15.2GW record isn’t just a nice stat, it’s a sign of how quickly solar is becoming a big part of the UK’s energy mix. With more projects coming online and batteries helping smooth things out, solar will keep taking a bigger share, especially through spring and summer. There are still gaps to solve, but overall the direction is pretty clear: cleaner energy, less reliance on fossil fuels, and more record days ahead. And hopefully a very sunny summer.

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