Nearly half of Brits (46%) feel the government is not being proactive enough – when it comes to switching to renewable energy sources, a study has found.

A poll of 2,000 adults found that 56% feel a change should have come from government a long time ago with regards to the UK energy structure – but 53% believe those in charge have been prioritising other things.

And while a resounding 82% support an increased use of solar farms across the nation, 43% are bewildered that we do not use more of these already.

In fact, 47% worry the UK is getting left behind when it comes to being proactive with renewable energy sources.

And 44% believe the country's energy needs should be served entirely by solar and wind power – with 57% keen to see the UK switch completely to renewable energy sources within the next 10 years, or sooner.

The research was commissioned by solar energy company, Island Green Power, whose head of projects UK & Ireland, Dave Elvin, said: “There’s a lot of confusion around the energy sector currently, with rising energy bills, questions on grid access and energy security, alongside ongoing debates around renewable and traditional energy.

But four in ten would not feel confident explaining the National Grid to someone else - as a fifth are clueless about how it works
But four in ten would not feel confident explaining the National Grid to someone else - as a fifth are clueless about how it works

“What we do know is that climate change and the security of energy supply is clearly becoming harder to ignore in our everyday lives. As countries transition away from fossil fuels, the United Kingdom is primed to be a world leader in renewable energy – but we need to move fast.

“By developing expertise in renewables like solar, we can generate more homegrown energy, help bring bills down, and increase the amount of energy that gets into the system and into our homes.”

However, despite many feeling passionately about switching to renewable energy, one in four (24%) admit they don't really understand how energy is produced, while a further 21% are clueless about how the grid works.

It also emerged 39% wouldn't feel comfortable explaining what the National Grid is to someone, while 23% said their knowledge of how energy is produced is weak or non-existent.

But of those who are more clued-up, 39% believe solar is an essential part of our country's renewable energy mix. The main reasons for this include reducing our dependence on other countries we import from (63%), helping to lower costs of energy (63%), and reducing air pollution (61%).

Meanwhile, exactly two-thirds think that by developing expertise in renewable energy, like solar, we can create new export industries and generate economic security for the UK.

Dave Elvin, from Island Green Solar, added: “All year round solar energy is an essential and vital part of the UK’s energy mix – even during the winter, when sunny weather might not be the first thing one thinks about in the United Kingdom.

“We know that to hit the country’s Net Zero and climate change targets, boosting our solar and renewable energy capacity isn’t a “nice to have” – it’s essential.

“At risk of getting left behind, we must move quickly to help ensure energy security and combat climate change, now and for tomorrow.”