Homes with solar panels enjoyed an energy boost in June as the sun shone across Scotland

Scotland’s record breaking summer is shining a light on the country’s solar energy potential as outputs soared in June.

Homes with solar panels across Scotland generated around 130% of their energy and a month’s worth of hot water last month.

Wind output was slightly lower in June than the same time last year but was still high enough to power over two million homes and meet 87% of household electricity demand, or 44 per cent of total electricity demand.

WWF Scotland said June demonstrated the potential of Scotland’s weather to generate clean energy.

Gina Hanrahan, acting head of policy at WWF Scotland, said: “Renewables are a key component of our power system, cutting emission and creating jobs. But to harness their full potential the UK Government must urgently unlock the market for mature technologies like onshore wind and solar.

“Indeed only last week the Committee on Climate Change advised that the UK Government’s failure to take advantage of these low cost, low risk options is unfairly penalising consumers who could enjoy lower energy bills.”

Alex Wilcox Brooke, Weather Energy Project Manager at Severn Wye Energy Agency said: “In the midst of the current heatwave it’s no surprise that June has been a hugely productive month for solar energy. Luckily for us this has been accompanied by a cool breeze with wind output higher than expected for this time of year.”