Josh Cornes, Solar Media Market Research UK & Ireland portfolio lead analyst, analyses the boom in UK solar development and the impact of grid reform on the planning system. The UK planning system has been overloaded by solar applications in recent months. Over 11GWp has been submitted in 2025, the highest capacity submitted in history. Figure 1: UK solar planning submissions over the last 8 years broken down by quarter, with 2025 almost surpassing all years prior in the first 8 months. Figure 2: A map of the UK highlighting refused projects, with England dominating especially Lincolnshire, Cornwall and the north-east.