China, China, China 

While the UK has made progress in renewable energy, solar power adoption remains slow, highlighting the need for better policies, investment, and public engagement to catch up with global leaders like China.

China’s Solar Dominance vs. the UK’s Slower Progress

China’s solar capacity surpassed 500 gigawatts (GW) in 2023, with an ambitious target of 1,200 GW by 2030. It has achieved this by heavily subsidising solar technology, investing in research, and making solar panels cheaper and more efficient. Additionally, China dominates 70% of the world’s solar panel production, making it the driving force behind the global solar revolution.

The UK, on the other hand, only had around 15 GW of installed solar capacity in 2023. While solar energy generation is increasing, it still accounts for just a small portion of the UK’s total electricity supply. A key challenge is government policy inconsistency, with fluctuating subsidies and limited incentives for homeowners and businesses to invest in solar technology.

What are our learnings?

To catch up, the UK needs to:

• Expand financial incentives for households and businesses to install solar panels.
• Invest in large-scale solar farms to boost renewable energy production.
• Promote energy storage solutions, allowing users to store solar power for use during non-sunny hours.

The Role of Portable Solar Energy

One way individuals can take control of their energy usage is through portable solar power stations. These devices help reduce reliance on the grid, lower energy costs, and provide backup power in case of outages.

We just listed a new and powerful option on our website, the Jackery Explorer 2000 V2 Portable Power Station. This device offers:

• 2,160Wh capacity – Enough to power essential home appliances, power tools, and outdoor equipment.
• Fast solar charging – Can be charged via solar panels for off-grid energy.
• Multiple output ports – Supports a wide range of devices, making it a versatile solution.

Now for my final thoughts…

While the UK has made progress in wind energy, solar power remains underdeveloped compared to China’s rapid expansion. By investing in large-scale solar projects, encouraging household adoption, and supporting portable solar energy solutions like the Jackery Explorer 2000 V2, the UK can take a step toward energy independence and sustainability.

References

Google. (2025). Gemini (Imagen 3) [AI image generator]. https://ai.google.dev/gemini

International Energy Agency (IEA) (2023). China’s Solar Power Growth. Available at: www.iea.org

Solar Energy UK (2023). Solar Capacity in the UK. Available at: www.solarenergyuk.org

Jackery (2024). Jackery Explorer 2000 V2 Portable Power Station. Available at: www.undertwok.com