UK homeowners are clearer than ever that solar can cut bills. Pair it with battery storage and it becomes a practical option for a lot of homes: straightforward to understand, widely suitable where the roof works, and useful for reducing what you buy from the grid. Heat pumps, by comparison, still look harder to judge on cost and suitability.
Solar Is Increasingly Seen As A Household Savings Solution
The biggest change this year is simple. People agreeing that solar is “a great way to reduce energy cost” rose from 65.9% in 2025 to 86% in 2026. That is more than 20 percentage points in one year.
Agreement that solar is “a great way to help the planet” also rose, from 56.1% to 74%. Saving money is the lead reason. Helping the planet backs it up. Across Scotland and the UK, more households can see that a well-specified solar panel installation puts them back in control of energy costs.
Old Objections To Solar Are Fading Fast
Negative views have dropped across the board:
- “There is no point having them in the UK” fell from 9.6% to 2%
- “It is impossible to make your money back” fell from 14.7% to 7%
- “The technology will be outdated before you pay it off” fell from 15.1% to 8%
That matters. For years the industry has had to push back on myths about Scottish weather, payback and outdated kit. This year's data suggests those arguments are losing their grip. Homeowners look more open to the practical case for solar.
Heat Pump Confidence Has Softened
Solar sentiment strengthened. Heat pump confidence went the other way. In 2026, 39% of respondents thought heat pumps were likely to save them money, down from 50.2% in 2025. More people also said they “do not know much about them”, up from 17.4% to 26%.
That contrast is useful. Solar can work for a large share of UK homes with a suitable roof. Heat pumps are often more complex, more dependent on the property, and harder for households to weigh up with confidence. For many people looking for a clearer route to lower bills, solar and battery is becoming the easier choice to understand.
Systems Are Largely Delivering On Expectations
Performance is one of the brighter findings. In 2026, 56% said their system generates the same as projected, up from 43.8%. Those reporting less than projected edged down to 10%. Add in the people generating more than expected, and most respondents say their system is meeting or beating what was promised.
If you already have panels and want peace of mind about output, a solar health-check can find issues early and show where savings can be improved.
Trust And Aftercare Still Matter
Not every trend is positive. Trust in solar panel salespeople fell from a net 90% in 2025 to 71% in 2026. Those who would “completely trust” them dropped from 38.4% to 14%. Recommendation levels for installers stayed high at around 86%. Many owners still value the company that fitted their system, but the sales journey is under more scrutiny.
Advice gaps remain too. Fewer respondents said their installer gave advice on maintenance (56%), performance optimisation (55%), system registration (40%), or energy tariffs (40%). That is why aftercare is becoming as important as the install itself. Our Vixen Care Plan is for homeowners who want ongoing monitoring, maintenance and support, whether GreenFox installed the original system or not.
What This Means For Homeowners
Put simply, households want technology they understand, that can cut bills now, and that comes with proper support after install day. Solar and battery fit that for a lot of homes. The industry now needs to match rising confidence with honest advice, accurate system design, and aftercare that actually delivers.
Whether you need a free quote for a new system or want to protect an existing one, get in touch with our team.
