Solar Panel Statistics
6.3% of the UK’s power is now solar supplied – reports official figures from the Met Office and the National Energy System Operator. The UK’s growth in the solar energy sector is smashing records for renewable energy production. Solar panel installations for 2025 alone reached 1.73million, according to GreenMatch stats. The renewable energy sector has now surpassed fossil fuels, generating 37% of the UK electricity.
42% of new builds in England are equipped with solar panels, which increases by 13% year on year. And yet, the UK ranks 14th worldwide for solar power produced. To rectify this, and be known as a global leader, the UK government announced the “Clean Power 2030 Action Plan.” The plan aims to double to current level of solar energy produced by 2030. The government’s budget for this effort has been increased to £1.5 billion.
Solar panel efficiency is currently at 25%, a huge improvement from the first solar panel developed with an efficiency rate of only 1-2%. This means that 22% of the sunlight absorbed by modern solar panels is converted into usable electricity.
The Popularity of Solar Panels for Sports clubs and Social clubs
It takes a significant about of power to run a sports club and clubhouse. Floodlights, large premises, a large clubhouse, supporting facilities, heating and abundant amenities make powering a club an expensive endeavor. By adopting solar panels, clubs are able to offset some of that cost.
Clubhouse often have abundant roof space, allowing for a wide area to install solar panels. Clubs also have outhouses and multiple on-site premises which can be installed with solar panels. Whether its areas, leisure centers or solar farms on accessible land, there are many options for club to start benefitting from solar.
Under the E.ON Next and England Football Greener Game, 250 clubs have signed up for energy improvements, with 22 further installations of solar and batteries recently scheduled. Several hundreds of sports clubs have installed solar panels. The Government have reported that nearly 1000 community projects are underway to upgrade grassroot sports facilities – which includes solar and renewable energy projects.
The risks of solar panels on clubhouses
There are a raft of issues and considerations which must be understood before club managers commit to solar panel installation. To stress the importance of risk awareness, at Club Insure we have seen instances of solar panels fitted wrongly, improperly or poorly. The installation of solar panels must be satisfactory to current standards, and a MCS certification will go a long way to successfully acquiring insurance. Solar panels without certification may be difficult, or impossible to insure, so it’s essential your panels are installed safely.
Here are just some of the considerations for club owners looking into solar panels:
- Updating risk assessments – Knowing what to do in the case of an emergency.
- Cleaning the panels –Solar panels need regular cleaning.
- Electrical risks –Containing the electrical components and utilising professionals.
- Signage – Having appropriate signage on-site.
- Battery storage –involving managing the temperature, moisture and sunlight exposure of the batteries.
- Theft – Solar panels are a huge target for thieves therefore clubs should update their security alarms.
Solar panel installation will impact your insurance
Solar panels will increase the valuation of property and therefore need to be accounted for in your Sums Insured. Solar panels can affect your liability cover, catering for the instance where a solar panel detaches and damages a neighbour’s property or causes injury.
Ultimately, a club’s current insurance broker may not have capacity to also cover solar panels – this would therefore void the policy and club managers will have to find insurance elsewhere.
For more information about the installation of solar panels, their benefits and risks – read our guidance: Solar Panel Installation Risks for Clubhouse Buildings.
At Club Insure, we have experience insuring businesses with solar panels on their premises. Club’s needing guidance involving solar panels and insurance should enquire with usand benefit from the service of a dedicated broker. Switch to Club Insure and we can confidentially review your cover.