In fields such as energy and heating, change tends to happen so gradually that noticeable changes feel dramatic, and this trend is being seen in the world of solar panel installations.
According to data from MCS published by The Independent, certified solar panel installations reached their highest level since 2012, alongside record highs for solar batteries and heat pump installations.
There are a lot of reasons why, but one of the biggest is that the previously clear and demonstrable benefits of renewable solutions have become particularly pronounced during a period where conventional heating and energy solutions have seen noticeable increases in running costs.
Installing solar panels has always saved money in the long run, but the previously expensive upfront costs gave some customers pause. Long-term investments are often a hard sell in the short term.
A combination of cheaper, more efficient solar panels brought about thanks to economies of scale, combined with increases in both gas and grid electricity prices, has left some homeowners wondering if they can escape particularly harsh bills through generating some of their own electricity through the use of solar.
Another part of the equation noted by the Independent article is the effect that government support and grants have had on adoption rates.
Whilst the grants available for solar panels are not quite as substantial as the ones potentially available for heat pump installations, they can be enough to convince someone to invest.
This suggests that solar panels, as well as renewable energy and heating more broadly, are experiencing a virtuous cycle, which is affecting not only adoption rates but also perception.
Whilst previously seen as something of a blemish, solar panels now make a home look modern and forward-thinking, desirable as much for their aesthetic properties as the amount of money they help to save people on their energy bills.
It is also a scalable benefit; heat pumps and solar panels are often bought and installed in tandem, as the latter will boost the affordability of the former even more.
