British and French solar generation hit new records

Solar Energy UK

10 July 2025

UK solar generation records have continued to tumble this year, with a new record being set this week. Peak generation hit 14 gigawatts at 12.30 on Tuesday, according to the University of Sheffield modelling.[1] Photovoltaic power supplied 39% of demand at the time.

The previous record, now revised to 13.8GW to accommodate capacity growth, was set on 6 April.

Maximum instantaneous generation is normally encountered in the middle of a spring day, when bright sunlight coincides with cooler conditions. But the pace of the solar energy sector’s expansion, combined with sunny weather, has upturned this assumption.

A new record was also set in France today at 2pm, sending energy prices below zero. Solar generation hit over 19.5GW there, pushing energy prices below zero and supplying almost 40% of demand.[2]

“The new records underline just how quickly the solar sector is growing, both at home and abroad. We estimate that well over 21.5 gigawatts of capacity is now in place in the UK, a figure expected to more than double by the end of the decade, delivering secure, clean, green and – crucially – cheap power for us all,” said Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of Solar Energy UK.

The two records happen to coincide with the state visit to the UK of French president Emmanuel Macron.[3]

[1] University of Sheffield’s PV Live

[2] RTE éCO₂mix – Power generation by energy source            

[3] State Visit by The President of the French Republic and Mrs Brigitte Macron

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Editor’s notes

For more information or to request an interview, please contact:

Gareth Simkins, Senior Communications Adviser

gsimkins@solarenergyuk.org

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