A Bright Future for Solar in the UK

In today’s blog, we’re taking you behind the scenes of one of the industry’s biggest events and unpacking what it means for the future of training and solar careers. With renewable energy breaking records across the UK and industry innovations accelerating, the GRE team headed down to Solar & Storage Live at London ExCeL this April to stay at the cutting edge of training. As solar continues its rapid growth, training providers like GRE play a critical role in equipping the next generation of installers with the skills they need to deliver this future.

Jenna’s Field Notes from the Floor

By Jenna, Business Development Manager at GRE Energy Training

“We had a fantastic time attending Solar and Storage Live at London’s ExCeL earlier this month. It was a brilliant opportunity to connect with new faces and catch up with some familiar ones in the industry.

We had in-depth conversations with electrical manufacturers, exploring what’s new and upcoming in the market—from the latest EV chargers to innovative roofing systems. We’re excited about potentially having the chance to incorporate and utilise some of these in our training.

We also took the opportunity to chat with a range of electrical wholesalers—both those we’ve partnered with for training in the past and others we introduced ourselves to. Building and maintaining those connections whilst sharing our passion for quality training is always a highlight.

There was a real sense of purpose amongst those in the industry – it’s inspiring to see how much desire there is to create a cleaner, more sustainable future. This can only be heightened with the news of the UK achieving a new solar record of 12.6GW as of April 2025. The latest record-breaking stats show just how solar is fast becoming a cornerstone of a clean, secure, and affordable energy future.

Solar is essential not just for reducing carbon emissions, but for enhancing energy security and lowering costs for both households and businesses.

Let’s continue to give solar the spotlight and the support it needs.

If you attended, we’d love to hear your thoughts—what was your biggest takeaway?”

Top Trends We Noticed at Solar & Storage Live

From Jenna’s conversations and our own observations, a few trends stood out:

• Growth of EV Infrastructure: As the transition to electric vehicles accelerates, there’s rising demand for qualified installers of EV charging systems. Our City & Guilds 2921-34 course continues to evolve alongside these developments.
• Integrated Solar + Storage Solutions: Many manufacturers showcased bundled PV and battery systems. Our BPEC Solar PV & Battery Installer Course ensures learners are confident designing and installing complete systems.
• Smarter Mounting & Roofing Systems: We saw innovations in roof-integrated systems, designed for faster installs and improved aesthetics. As this tech becomes mainstream, GRE will be ready to teach it.

What This Means for Our Learners

Events like this inform how we train. They shape the conversations we have in the classroom, the kit we use in workshops, and the way we support learners’ post-course. At GRE, staying up to date is more than a tagline, it’s a commitment we take seriously. 

We’re already planning how to integrate some of the latest product knowledge into:

• City & Guilds 2391 (Inspection & Testing)
• BPEC PV & Battery (Design & Installation)
• City & Guilds 2921-34 (EV Charging Installations)
• Plus, our variety of GRE certified electrical add on courses

Our goal is to deliver training that prepares you for what’s next, not just what’s now.

The Bigger Picture: UK Solar Hits 12.6GW

In April 2025, the UK reached a major milestone: a record-breaking 12.6GW of solar power generated. That’s more than ever before.

This isn’t just a number. It’s proof that solar is a serious contributor to the UK’s net-zero goals, in turn creating long-term career opportunities for skilled professionals (just like you.)

More solar = more demand for trained professionals. If you’ve been considering a career in solar or want to upskill, there’s never been a better time.

Let’s power the future together.

Click here to browse our courses and join the renewable revolution.

Find out more on Solar & Storage Live here.