From 1st July 2026, the energy price cap rises by 13.5%, adding around £221 to the average household’s annual bill. And that’s not the end of it – further increases are forecast for October. For anyone still relying entirely on the grid, those costs are only going one direction.
What’s driving the rise?
The increase is largely down to wholesale gas market volatility, tied to ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The UK’s energy system is still heavily dependent on gas, which means households have very little protection from global price swings. Solar panels and battery storage are one of the most effective ways to insulate yourself from that.
The solar market is booming – for good reason
The UK solar industry is on course for 5 to 5.5 GW of new installations in 2026, the best year on record. Over 2 million MCS-certified solar installations are now active across the country. People are waking up to the fact that generating your own electricity is one of the smartest financial decisions a homeowner can make right now.
A well-designed solar and storage system lets you generate power during the day, store what you don’t use, and draw from that battery in the evening rather than paying peak grid rates. Combined with smart EV charging, some households are cutting their electricity costs dramatically.
Heat pumps: the grant situation has never been better
If you’re also looking at replacing your boiler, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme has just been confirmed to run until 2030. The current grant for an air source heat pump is £7,500, which brings the typical installation cost down to around £2,500 for eligible households. Add 0% VAT and new low-interest government loans, and there’s a compelling financial case to make the switch before energy bills climb further.
What about EV charging?
Smart EV chargers installed alongside solar and battery storage can be set to charge automatically from your solar generation during the day, or from stored battery power overnight. With the standard variable rate heading toward 25p/kWh and rising, the savings versus daytime grid charging are significant and growing.
Don’t wait
Demand for solar installations always increases when bills go up, and lead times follow. If you want a system in before the colder months hit, now is the time to get your quote booked in.
No responses yet