Research by financial provider Ocean found a third of people were looking to install solar panels on their homes. This figure has increased tenfold in the last year.

Rising gas and electricity prices responsible for the sharp increase with half of those questioned looking to escape high energy bills.

Some 14% of people have already installed solar panels somewhere on their property.

London homeowners were most likely to install solar panels on their homes, with one in four having already done so. Scots were the next most likely, even though the predicted savings are lower than the rest of the UK.

A report by the Energy Saving Trust said a family of four in a three-bedroomed property could save between £500 and £800 a year on their energy bills.

Solar panels will also add value to a home, but the upfront cost can be as much as £8,000. Around 40% said this was too expensive.

Ocean said many homeowners were put off because they believed planning permission was required to install panels. However, in most instances this is not the case.

Gareth Shilton, a spokesperson for Ocean Finance, said: “It’s interesting to see the rise in the number of homeowners who plan to install solar panels. Britain has some of the least energy-efficient housing in Europe and this leaves homeowners struggling with high energy bills.

“The fact that 10 times as many homeowners are warming to solar technology is likely to be a response to rising energy costs and the search for ways to cut bills.

“While the up-front costs can be quite high, installing solar panels not only saves you money over the long-term on your energy bills, it can also increase the energy rating of your home and therefore, add value to your property.”