New data from UK-based energy supplier Octopus Energy has shown a 27% increase in British solar installation enquiries since the conflict in the Middle East began.
March 19, 2026
Octopus Energy’s data looked at the number of solar enquiries between 28 February to 7 March 2026 in comparison to average weekly enquiries.
Since the conflict escalated in late February, gas prices have increased by over 60%. As the conflict continues, households will likely look to invest in energy sources for their homes that are self-reliant and renewable.
This will let them decrease their reliance on gas, reducing the financial blow of the gas market’s current volatility. 
“We are seeing a fundamental shift in the national psyche when it comes to energy. With the second energy market shock in less than five years, homeowners are looking for security,” Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, Chief Product Officer at Octopus Energy, said.
Furthermore, the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)’s current industry data has demonstrated that the UK is experiencing a record year for solar. In 2025, over 260,000 homes installed solar, resulting in a total of 1.8 million UK households generating solar energy.
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More data from MCS showed that UK battery installations have almost doubled year-on-year, enabling households to store their surplus energy for peak evening use.
Combined, Octopus Energy and MCS’s datasets seem to indicate a trend of UK households seeking to improve their energy security through renewable resources.
Dibb-Simkin added, “This surge in solar interest suggests people now see their rooftops as a frontline of their financial resilience. By generating their own power, they can help to insulate their bank accounts against global energy crises.”
In a release discussing its February- March findings, Octopus Energy cites UK-based Norwich homeowners Elizabeth and Keith Stork as a case study. The couple explained that they save £60 (US$79) a month on their energy bills due to their solar and battery installations.
A report from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) corroborated this sentiment, as it pointed out that home solar arrays reduce reliance on the national grid and provide a reduction in household bills. 
DESNZ’s June 2025 Solar Road Map specifically noted that, on average, a homeowner could reduce their energy bills by around £500 (US$665) by utilising rooftop solar PV.
Gas prices in the UK and Europe rose again on Thursday morning (19 March) following overnight attacks on energy infrastructure in the Middle East, putting further pressure on UK households to reduce their gas bills.
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Catie Owen
Contributing writer
Since 2019, Catie has been writing news, interviews, client content and editing magazines. In recent years, her interest in sustainability has led her to pursue renewable energy as her primary beat. Having written primarily about solar energy and storage, Catie also enjoys covering the positive human impact of renewable technology.
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