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Solar energy has been characterized as a standout component of the European Union’s energy transition, providing a buffer for households against the high costs of fossil fuels, according to a recent report.
Data from Eurostat indicates that solar power accounted for more than 17 percent of the EU’s electricity generation during the first quarter of 2026. With sunny weather anticipated to persist through the summer, solar capacity is expected to continue its upward trend.
Beyond reducing energy expenses and decreasing Europe’s reliance on polluting oil and gas, installing rooftop solar panels offers several less obvious advantages. The panels create a protective layer between the roof and the sun, absorbing ultraviolet radiation that would otherwise heat the roof and transfer that heat indoors. Additionally, the glass in solar panels reflects sunlight away from the building, further limiting heat absorption.
A 2024 study by researchers from University College London and the University of Exeter, published in the journal Nature Cities, examined the potential cooling effect of widespread rooftop solar panels on London’s ambient temperature during June through August 2018, which was then the hottest year on record. During those summer months, London’s average temperature was 19.2°C, approximately 1.6°C above the historical average for that period. The researchers determined that if rooftop solar panels had been widely installed, they would have cooled the city by roughly 0.3°C. This reduction could have prevented an estimated 96 deaths across the city, representing 12 percent of the heat-related fatalities that summer. Lead author Dr. Charles Simpson commented that solar panels have significant benefits as a renewable power source and that it is reassuring they do not contribute to urban heating.
An earlier study from the University of California, San Diego, published in 2011, found that during the day, a building’s ceiling was about 2.78°C cooler beneath a roof equipped with solar panels compared to an exposed roof. At night, the panels helped retain warm air, lowering heating costs in winter. However, during tropical nights—when the temperature remains above 20°C over a 24-hour period—the focus should be on expelling heat from the home. Jan Kleissl, a professor of environmental engineering at UC San Diego, noted that while more efficient passive cooling methods exist, such as reflective roof membranes, installing solar photovoltaic systems can lead to a substantial reduction in energy used for cooling, depending on the roof’s thermal properties.
A recent analysis by the energy think tank Ember described solar as a complementary technology to air conditioning, noting that both follow similar seasonal patterns. The analysis found that during the last June heatwave, a typical UK home with rooftop solar generated enough electricity to power an air conditioning unit for five hours daily. Across the 1.9 million UK homes with rooftop solar, the equivalent of 10 million solar-powered air conditioning hours were produced each day of the heatwave. This illustrates how solar can address carbon emissions from air conditioning, which experts warn could surpass the current annual emissions of the United States by 2050. However, solar does not mitigate air conditioning’s greenhouse gas footprint or its contribution to the urban heat island effect.
Linda Aspey, a climate psychology specialist and board member of the Climate Psychology Alliance, indicated that taking action, such as powering a home with solar, can relieve some of the distressing feelings associated with climate anxiety. She explained that humans often channel difficult emotions into action, and achieving energy independence can help individuals feel empowered and less controlled by external forces. She added that people working on energy independence often form communities, which can reduce loneliness and provide support. This involvement can foster a sense of being part of a larger solution and allow caring capacities to emerge, contributing to individual and collective resilience and better mental health. Aspey cautioned that installing solar panels will not miraculously improve mental health, but it can feel positive to actively challenge Europe’s dependence on fossil fuels.
Solar panels represent a significant investment, typically taking about a decade to recoup upfront costs through lower energy bills, even with government grants. Many homeowners avoid installing solar panels if they plan to sell their property in the near future. However, solar panels may increase property value. A report by the trade body Solar Energy UK, which examined over five million property transactions in 2021, stated that a typical home with solar panels could see a price increase of up to two percent. Other research, such as that from the Eco Experts, suggests a much larger return, arguing that solar panels could boost a property’s value by as much as 14 percent on average. Conversely, some property experts and associations contend that solar panels will not significantly affect house prices due to the many other variables influencing the market.
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