July has been another landmark month for the UK's renewable energy sector, with fresh Government support for clean energy, major progress on grid reform and continued growth in commercial solar and battery storage. As businesses look for greater energy security and long-term cost savings, renewable technologies are becoming an increasingly important part of the UK's energy future.

East Green Energy has been shortlisted for Commercial Project of the Year at the Solar & Storage Live Awards 2026, recognising the 750 kWp floating solar array delivered for Suffolk Fresh in Great Blakenham. Spanning 3,500 square metres of reservoir surface and using around 1,250 panels to supply twenty per cent of the nursery’s energy demand, the project blends smart use of space with precise engineering, including bespoke anchoring, permanent access, remote monitoring and measures to reduce bird interaction. It’s a proud achievement for the team ahead of the awards on 22 September.

Plug‑in solar panels could soon be approved in the UK, allowing small systems under eight hundred watts to plug into a standard socket without an electrician, with a simple G98 notification still required and early signs of possible financial support for low income households; with panels expected to start at around four hundred pounds and savings of seventy to one hundred and ten pounds a year, they offer an easy way to generate some home electricity, and Plugsol will provide approved systems once guidance is finalised.

Recent reforms to the UK's grid connection process could make it easier for businesses to move forward with renewable energy projects. With shorter waiting times and greater certainty around connections, organisations investing in solar PV, battery storage and EV charging infrastructure may be able to begin benefiting from renewable energy sooner.

G R Wright & Sons has partnered with East Green Energy on a 900 kWp roof‑mounted solar project that will cut production‑related electricity use and support its net zero goals. Installed in January 2026, the system delivers 99% on‑site consumption, a 7% reduction in total demand, an 18% ROI and a 5.5‑year payback. Both teams describe the collaboration as professional, effective and focused on long‑term carbon reduction.

UK renewables saw strong momentum in June, with solar installations passing two million and forecasts pointing to another record year as costs fall. Rising energy bills are driving demand for on‑site generation and storage, while battery uptake grows despite sector challenges. The government set ambitious new carbon targets and introduced standards to simplify small‑scale solar, and public sector projects continue to expand with investment in solar, heat pumps and efficiency upgrades.

East Green Energy has opened a new office in Leicester to support continued growth across the UK. The new Midlands base will help the company deliver an increasing number of renewable energy projects nationwide while remaining rooted in its East Suffolk heritage and family-business values.

East Green Energy has been named a finalist in the East Anglian Daily Times Business Awards 2026, earning a place on the shortlist for Growth Business of the Year. The recognition reflects the company's continued expansion from its Suffolk roots into one of the UK's leading renewable energy specialists, supporting homeowners and businesses with innovative, cost-saving renewable energy solutions.

This trade show is especially close to our hearts. East Green Energy is named after East Green Farm, which for many years was a pig farm in Suffolk and over the years we’ve grown into one of the longest established renewable energy firms in East Anglia.

The government has strengthened its rooftop first approach to solar, making it easier for businesses to install panels on large commercial roofs. Planning rules are being simplified and councils are now expected to prioritise existing buildings, putting warehouses, factories and other big roof spaces at the front of the queue for rapid deployment.

Commercial solar demand continues to grow as businesses respond to high electricity prices, falling solar and battery costs, and increasing pressure to meet sustainability targets. With commercial rooftop systems now commonly delivering payback periods of three to five years, more manufacturers, food producers and logistics operators are investing in on-site generation and storage. Grid connection reforms, growing adoption of corporate PPAs, government support for rooftop-first solar, and the UK's record-breaking growth in renewable energy are further strengthening the business case for commercial solar across the UK.

Plug‑in solar kits are rapidly gaining attention ahead of expected government approval this summer, offering a low‑cost, no‑installation way to generate electricity at home. While they won’t replace a full rooftop system or drastically cut bills, they can meaningfully reduce daytime energy use, particularly for households with consistent daytime consumption. The real value lies not in going off‑grid, but in taking a simple first step into solar.

The UK is running out of suitable land for new solar projects, and it’s becoming one of the biggest barriers to meeting national targets. Floating solar offers a practical way forward by using reservoirs and other managed water bodies instead of farmland. Our Suffolk Fresh project shows how this approach can deliver major clean‑power generation while protecting food production and avoiding many of the planning challenges that come with land‑based systems.

East Green Energy welcomed MP Jenny Riddell-Carpenter to our newly expanded Melton offices to discuss growth, skills and renewable energy across Suffolk.

UK farms, landowners and energy‑intensive businesses are accelerating investment in renewables as geopolitical instability continues to drive volatile fossil fuel prices. With gas‑linked power costs proving increasingly unpredictable, solar, battery storage and on‑site generation are being adopted as tools for long‑term cost control and energy security rather than purely sustainability measures. What is emerging is a structural shift toward locally produced, fixed‑price power across agriculture, food production and manufacturing.

Floating solar is rapidly gaining traction across the UK water sector as utilities respond to rising energy costs, growing demand and severe limitations on land availability. By turning reservoirs and treatment lagoons into productive energy assets, water companies are unlocking large‑scale renewable generation without competing for scarce land. Proven at scale and supported by industry roadmaps, floating solar is now shifting from an innovative concept to a mainstream solution for resilient, low‑carbon operations.

For farms and food production businesses, peak season is critical, so installing solar can feel like a risk, but with proper planning it can be done with minimal disruption. Most of the work happens in advance, and installation often takes place on rooftops or unused land, allowing daily operations to continue as normal, meaning the project fits around your business rather than the other way around.

The UK’s energy shift is turning power from a cost into an asset for farmers and food producers. By generating and managing their own energy, businesses can reduce costs, create new income streams and strengthen their commercial position while meeting growing sustainability demands.

Solar continues to gain pace in 2026, with businesses, farmers, landowners and food producers increasingly turning to on‑site generation to manage rising energy costs and market uncertainty.

March brought a noticeable shift in the UK’s renewable energy landscape. From record levels of wind and solar generation to a stronger, more confident CfD auction, the sector showed real momentum. Grid upgrades, storage projects and new government trials all pointed in the same direction, a system steadily moving towards cleaner, more resilient power.