NEW research has found that distrust in installers and poor industry standards risk derailing the boom in solar energy.
Solar power specialist GreenFox Energy teamed up with Scottish Building Society to unveil findings from its 2025 UK Solar Sentiment Survey.
The survey, based on responses from over 2,000 UK adults, highlights how consumer priorities have evolved. Cost savings trump environmental concern, as 66% of householders now see solar as a major cost-saving opportunity, up 16 points from last year and more than double the enthusiasm seen in 2023.
However, while solar panels are growing in popularity, doubts about installers persist. Figures show 15% of solar homeowners still wouldn’t be confident to recommend their fitter, and half say they never received system registration details.
Although 90% of homeowners say they’d pay for solar maintenance, less than 1% have a care plan in place, likely due to the lack of availability of such products in the market.
GreenFox Energy co-founder Eddie Curran said, “The results of this year’s Solar Sentiment Survey mirror what our engineers and customer service teams are hearing from customers every day. Solar energy has gone mainstream and is now widely accepted to be the smart choice for homeowners looking to cut energy bills and future-proof their homes as the UK faces into a lower-carbon future.
“As the market continues to mature, we’d expect to see a continuation of this year’s key trends: increasing positivity about the benefits of solar, but also an increasing gap being called out by customers between the best solar companies and the under qualified opportunists. As the market grows customers are becoming more aware of what good looks like and – quite reasonably – have higher expectations around what is a major investment decision.
“This will translate to a greater focus on skill, quality and provision of lifetime care services as customers more critically assess the market for solar engineers.”
Paul Denton, chief executive of Scottish Building Society, sponsors of the Solar Sentiment survey, added, “It’s encouraging to see increasing confidence in solar energy as a cost-saving solution for households. However, the findings also underline the importance of addressing gaps in trust and information when it comes to installations.
“As a mortgage provider, we’re willing and ready to lend on all types of home improvements and by improving transparency and support within the industry, we can help homeowners feel more confident in adopting energy-saving technologies and enjoying their long-term benefits.”
