Green Energy: UK installs record number of heat pumps and solar panels

Summary:

• UK sees record number of heat pump and solar panel installations, averaging over 20,000 per month.
• Government offers up to £5,000 in incentives for renewable energy installations.
• Investment of £6.6 billion has upgraded 2.5 million homes, with 47% rated C or above.
• Goal of 600,000 heat pump installations per year by 2028.
• Debate continues over adequacy of government funding for reaching net zero targets by 2050.

Our electricity consumption costs have dropped like a stone. Norman paid around £30,000 to get his renewable technology installed, but his bills have since halved and in summer his home is 90% self-sufficient. So for him, it's money well spent. We're going green, saving our planet. We've also got electric car and this installation probably costs us a little more than it used to cost me to fill my car. So we're fairly pleased. Norman is part of a growing trend.

UK households are now installing more heat pumps and solar panels than ever before, with this year becoming the first to average at more than 20,000 renewable installations a month. The government hopes to encourage even more people to take up renewable energy and is even offering up to £5,000 towards upfront costs as an incentive. However, installing renewables can run into the tens of thousands. I think if we take a close look at those figures, it's going to be people who are that bit wealthier. They are not the households that are struggling the most with the cost of living crisis. They are not the households that struggled the most to heat their homes to a safe and comfortable level. The government says we've invested £6.6 billion upgrading 2.5 million homes and 47% now have a rating of C or above. We are fully focused on meeting our aim of 600,000 heat pump installations a year by 2028, having offered grants of £5,000 and £6,000 towards the cost. House all agree that government funding is welcomed, not everyone is convinced that it's enough. And in order to reach net zero targets by 2050, hard-hit households may need more help. Shaman Freeman Powell, Sky News.

The UK's push towards green energy is evident as more households embrace heat pumps and solar panels. While government incentives have supported this transition, some remain skeptical about the sufficiency of funding, particularly for those in need. As the nation works towards its net zero targets, the question of equitable support for all households looms.