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How much can I save with solar panels?
Typical benefit per year£410 to £675
A typical home solar system is worth around £410 to £470 a year on an east-facing or partly shaded roof, rising to around £605 to £675 a year on an ideal south-facing roof with no shading. Those figures combine electricity bill savings and Smart Export Guarantee payments, at June 2025 prices.
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Get quotesYour solar panel questions answered
Answers to the most common questions.
How much does a home solar panel system typically cost?
A typical domestic installation costs between £5,000 and £10,000, depending on system size, roof type, and equipment specification. Adding battery storage increases that range. Getting itemised quotes from more than one installer is the most reliable way to understand what your specific home will cost.
What is the Smart Export Guarantee and how much does it pay?
The Smart Export Guarantee requires electricity suppliers with at least 150,000 domestic customers to pay you for surplus electricity you export to the grid. The rate is above zero but varies by supplier. Your installation must be MCS-certified to qualify. Because rates differ, comparing available SEG tariffs once your system is commissioned is worthwhile.
How long does it take to pay back a solar panel system?
The Energy Saving Trust puts a typical payback period at 9–12 years on an ideal south-facing roof, and longer if your roof is east-facing or shaded. Payback depends on system size, how much of your generation you use directly, your electricity tariff, and any SEG export income.
Do I pay VAT on a solar panel installation?
Residential solar installation is currently zero-rated for VAT at 0%, a rate that runs to 31 March 2027. Confirm that the zero-rate applies to your specific installation and that it is shown on the quote, the rate returns to the reduced rate after that date.
Do I need planning permission for solar panels?
Most roof-mounted solar panels in England fall under permitted development rights and do not need a formal planning application. Exceptions include listed buildings, properties in conservation areas, and installations that project significantly beyond the roof plane. If you are unsure, check with your local planning authority before proceeding.
What certifications and warranties should I ask for?
Ask for MCS certification for both the installer and the equipment, it is a condition for SEG access. Confirm the product warranty for panels (typically 20–25 years) and for the inverter (typically 5–15 years, per Energy Saving Trust and Which? data), and check the workmanship warranty from the installer separately. Get all warranty documents before signing.
A typical domestic solar installation costs between £5,000 and £10,000, and what you pay at the top of that range can mean years of difference in when it pays back. Choosing an installer without comparing offers first is one of the most common ways homeowners overspend.
This page sets out what drives cost and payback, what the Smart Export Guarantee actually pays, and how to assess a quote properly. Fill out one short form, and MCS-certified local installers will contact you directly with quotes sized for your roof and consumption. You compare the offers you receive and decide. Free, no obligation.
In short
- Pay 0% VAT on installation, zero-rated until 31 March 2027
- Annual benefit can reach £605–£675 with a south-facing roof (bill savings plus SEG, June 2025 prices, stated assumptions)
- Panels typically carry a 20–25 year product warranty; check inverter cover separately
- MCS certification is required to access Smart Export Guarantee payments from your supplier
Three types of solar panel system: which fits your home?
Below is a comparison of what each type is like.
Standard grid-tied system
Solar panels feed your home directly. Any surplus goes to the grid under the Smart Export Guarantee. No battery is needed. This is the common choice for homes with moderate daytime use.
Pros
- Lower upfront cost than a system with storage
- Straightforward to install; the technology is well proven
- SEG payments offset any surplus you export
Cons
- No power when the grid goes down
- Benefit is lower if most of your use falls in the evening
- Payback depends on how much of the generation you use directly
Solar with battery storage
A battery stores surplus power for use in the evening or on dull days. It raises the share of your own electricity you actually consume. Adding storage increases the total cost. Battery prices typically add £2,000–£5,000 or more to the installed price. Lifespan and warranty terms vary across models, so compare them carefully before you decide.
Pros
- Cuts reliance on grid power at peak-rate times
- Useful if your home uses most power in the morning and evening
- Can give limited backup in a power cut, depending on the system
Cons
- Adds £2,000–£5,000 or more to the total installed cost
- Battery lifespan and warranty terms vary; compare them carefully
- Payback is longer; the result depends on your usage profile
Roof-integrated (in-roof) panels
These panels sit flush with the roof surface. They replace part of the tile covering rather than sitting on a frame above it. They suit homes where appearance matters or where the roof is being replaced anyway. Installation is more involved than a standard on-roof frame. Not every roof type or pitch is suitable, so a survey by your installer is essential before you commit.
Pros
- Cleaner look; often preferred in conservation areas
- Can be cost-effective when the roof needs replacing at the same time
- May meet local aesthetic planning rules more easily
Cons
- Higher installation cost than an on-roof frame system
- Access for repairs or panel replacement is more complex
- Not all roof types or pitches are suitable; an installer survey is essential
How to choose the right installer
Start with certification: any installer who cannot show MCS certification cannot connect you to the Smart Export Guarantee, and their work falls outside the consumer protections the scheme provides. That alone narrows the field usefully.
Next, match the installer to your roof. A good installer will assess orientation, pitch, shading from trees or neighbouring buildings, and roof age before quoting. A roof that needs replacing within five years should be dealt with before panels go on.
Ask each installer what their quote includes: panels, inverter, mounting, labour, commissioning, and the grid-connection paperwork. Consumer bodies including Which? and MoneySavingExpert recommend getting at least three quotes. Compare them on the same system spec, not just the headline price, and check the warranty terms for both panels and workmanship separately.
Why request your quotes here
When you fill in one short form, several qualified, MCS-certified local installers will contact you directly with quotes tailored to your home and roof. You are not committed to anything, the offers arrive, you compare the figures, and you decide.
Installation costs and warranty terms are presented clearly so you can assess each quote on real numbers. The service costs you nothing to use.
Get your quotes now and see what local installers offer for your specific roof before you commit.
What determines the cost of your system
System size and panel count
A larger system generates more electricity but costs more upfront. Most homes install between 3 kWp and 6 kWp. The right size depends on your annual consumption and how much of your generation you will use directly during the day, a larger system than your daytime load can support earns less per panel.
Roof orientation and pitch
A south-facing roof at 30–40 degrees gives the highest annual yield. East- or west-facing roofs generate roughly 15–20% less, which affects both the annual benefit and the payback period. A flat roof can work with angled mounting frames, but that adds to the install cost.
Battery storage and additional equipment
Adding a battery extends usability into the evening but raises the installed cost considerably. The inverter specification, smart metering, and any structural work on older roofs also move the total price. Get each line itemised in the quote so you know exactly what you are paying for.
Installer, warranty, and certification
MCS-certified installation is a condition for receiving Smart Export Guarantee payments, so it is not optional. Workmanship warranty terms vary by installer, longer cover costs more upfront but reduces your risk over the panel lifetime. Panels typically carry a 20–25 year product warranty; inverters typically 5–15 years, per Energy Saving Trust and Which? data.
System cost at a glance
Item | Value |
|---|---|
Typical payback period | 9–12 years (ideal roof; longer if east-facing or shaded) |
Typical panel/product warranty | panels typically 20–25 years; inverters ~5–15 years |
VAT on residential solar installation | 0% (zero-rated to 31 Mar 2027) |
Typical installed system cost (domestic) | £5,000–£10,000 |
Annual benefit incl. Smart Export Guarantee (up to) | £605–£675 a year with an ideal south-facing roof; £410–£470 east-facing or shaded (bill savings plus SEG export payments, June 2025 prices) |
Facts verified as of 2026-06-30.
From survey to switch-on: what happens next
Once you have chosen an installer, they visit to survey your roof, electrics, and meter setup. From that, they produce a final design and confirm the spec in writing before work begins.
Installation typically takes one to two days. The installer connects the system to your consumer unit, fits a generation meter, and registers it under MCS. That registration is what qualifies your home for Smart Export Guarantee payments from your electricity supplier.
After commissioning, the installer walks you through the monitoring and hands over all documents, including warranty certificates for panels and inverter. You then apply to your supplier for an SEG tariff. Rates are supplier-set and vary, so comparing tariffs at that stage pays.
What to check before you sign
- Confirm the installer holds a current MCS certificate, verify it on the MCS database before signing
- Ask for a written quote that lists panels, inverter, mounting, labour, and grid-connection separately
- Check the workmanship warranty period and what it covers, distinct from the panel and inverter product warranties
- Confirm the zero-rated 0% VAT applies to your installation and is shown on the quote (zero-rated to 31 Mar 2027)
- Ask the installer to confirm the system specification and your projected self-consumption share in writing
Mistakes to avoid when going solar
- Choosing on upfront price aloneA lower headline quote may carry a shorter workmanship warranty, a cheaper inverter with a five-year guarantee, or panels from a brand with limited UK service support. Compare the full specification line by line. A system with a 25-year panel warranty and a 15-year inverter warranty is a different purchase from one with five years on both.
- Not checking roof suitability firstPanels on a roof that needs replacing in three years will need to come down at extra cost. A shaded east-facing roof will not deliver the same annual benefit as an ideal south-facing one, and the payback period extends accordingly, the Energy Saving Trust puts a typical payback at 9–12 years on an ideal roof, longer if east-facing or shaded. Ask the installer to survey the roof before they quote.
- Underestimating the Smart Export Guarantee processSEG payments do not start automatically after installation. You apply to your electricity supplier separately, and the tariff rate is set by the supplier, not fixed. Rates vary across suppliers, so it is worth comparing available tariffs once your system is registered under MCS. Skipping this step means leaving export income unclaimed.
Solar terms you will see in quotes
- kWp (kilowatt peak)
- The rated maximum output of a solar panel or system under standard test conditions, bright sunshine, 25°C panel temperature, no shading. Real-world output is typically lower and varies by season, orientation, and weather. System size is quoted in kWp.
- Inverter
- The device that converts direct current (DC) from the panels into the alternating current (AC) your home uses. Inverter lifespan and warranty terms are shorter than for panels, typically 5–15 years, so check what replacement or extended cover the installer offers.
- MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme)
- The UK certification scheme for small-scale renewable installations. MCS certification for both the installer and the equipment is a condition for accessing Smart Export Guarantee payments and certain consumer protections. Verify an installer's MCS status before signing.
- Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
- A scheme under which electricity suppliers with at least 150,000 domestic customers must offer a tariff for surplus electricity exported to the grid. The rate is above zero but is set by each supplier. The installation must be MCS-certified to qualify.
- Self-consumption
- The proportion of your solar generation that your home uses directly, rather than exporting. Higher self-consumption improves payback because you displace electricity you would otherwise buy. Adding a battery or shifting usage to daytime increases the self-consumption share.
Prices and rates reviewed 30 June 2026
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