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How much can I save with solar panels?

Yearly value, south-facing roof (our calculation)£523 to £603

On our calculation, a 4 kWp system without a battery is worth around £523 to £603 a year on a south-facing roof and £435 to £495 on an east-facing roof, if you buy your electricity from the supplier that pays you 12p per kWh for exports. At an export rate open to anyone (about 4p), a south-facing roof is worth around £299 to £333. That's bill savings plus Smart Export Guarantee payments, for a household using 2,500 kWh a year at the October to December 2026 price cap.

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Common questions about solar panels

Answers to the most common questions.

How much does a solar panel system cost to install?

A typical domestic installation costs around £7,600 for a 4.5 kWp system, according to the Energy Saving Trust (2026). Your price depends on system size, roof type, inverter choice, and location. Until 31 March 2027, residential solar installation is zero-rated for VAT at 0%, which reduces the upfront cost compared with the standard rate. Always ask for the total price including scaffolding and any grid connection fees so you can compare quotes fairly.

How long before a solar panel system pays for itself?

On our calculation, payback is about 11 to 16 years on a south-facing roof if you also buy your electricity from the supplier that pays 12p per kWh for exports, and about 20 to 28 years at an open export rate of about 4p. If your roof faces east or has significant shading, payback takes longer. The share of generated electricity you use directly during the day, rather than exporting, also affects the result, so any payback estimate should state the assumptions it rests on.

What is the Smart Export Guarantee and how do I get it?

The Smart Export Guarantee requires electricity suppliers with at least 150,000 domestic customers to offer a tariff that pays you for surplus power you export to the grid. The rate is set by each supplier individually, must always be above zero, and varies widely, so comparing tariffs pays. To qualify, your installation must be certified under MCS or an equivalent scheme. Your installer registers the system after installation, and you then apply to a supplier of your choice for an SEG tariff.

Do I need planning permission to fit solar panels?

Most residential solar panel installations in England fall within permitted development rights, meaning no formal planning application is needed. Exceptions include listed buildings, properties in conservation areas, and some local authority Article 4 directions that remove permitted development rights. Your installer should confirm the planning position for your specific property before work starts, and in some cases a pre-installation check with your local planning authority is advisable.

What warranties should I expect on a solar panel system?

Panel product warranties vary by manufacturer, so check the term on each quote; most inverters have a warranty of at least five years, which can often be extended, according to the Energy Saving Trust. These are manufacturer warranties covering defects and performance degradation. A workmanship warranty covers the quality of the installation itself and is separate from the product warranty, so check both when comparing quotes. Ask each installer to confirm the warranty terms in writing before you sign.

Solar panel quotes for your home

Many homeowners take the first quote they receive, with nothing to compare it against. A solar panel system is a significant investment: the Energy Saving Trust puts a typical 4.5 kWp home system at around £7,600 (2026), and the right installer, roof angle, and consumption profile all shape whether the numbers work for your home.

This page helps you request quotes from several MCS-certified installers, compare the offers you receive on real figures, and make a confident choice. On our calculation, payback runs about 11 to 16 years on a south-facing roof if you also buy your electricity from the supplier that pays 12p per kWh for exports, and about 20 to 28 years at an open export rate of about 4p, so getting this decision right matters from the start.

In short

Pay 0% VAT on your installation, zero-rated until 31 March 2027
Earn export payments through the Smart Export Guarantee once your system is MCS-certified
Compare quotes from several vetted installers before you commit to any one
Check realistic payback against your roof orientation and how much power you use at home

Four types of solar panel system: which fits your home?

Below is a comparison of what each type is like.

Standard grid-tied system

Panels feed power into your home and export any surplus to the grid under the Smart Export Guarantee. There is no battery involved. SEG payments require an installation certified under MCS or an equivalent scheme. The rate is set by your supplier and must always be above zero, but it varies.

Pros

Lowest upfront cost of the four options
Simplest install with fewer parts
Qualifies for SEG export payments straight away

Cons

You buy from the grid at full price in evenings and overnight
No cover if grid power goes down
Export earnings depend on the SEG tariff your supplier sets, and these vary widely

Solar with battery storage

A battery stores surplus power made during the day. You use that stored power in the evening, so you buy less from the grid at peak hours. Adding a battery increases the total system cost. Payback takes longer than with panels alone.

Pros

Cuts evening grid imports and raises the share of solar you use yourself
Smooths out day-to-day swings in output
Can provide backup power in a grid outage, depending on the battery model

Cons

Adds to the total cost
Battery warranty periods are often shorter than panel warranties
Payback period is longer than a panel-only system

South-facing optimised array

Panels facing due south capture the most annual yield in the UK. This setup is the basis for the higher benefit figures: on our calculation, a 4 kWp system without a battery is worth around £523 to £603 a year in bill savings plus SEG payments if you also buy your electricity from the supplier that pays 12p per kWh for exports, or £299 to £333 at an open export rate of about 4p (household using 2,500 kWh a year). A roof survey is needed to confirm your roof qualifies before you commit.

Pros

Delivers the highest annual output for a given panel count
The strongest annual benefit: around £523 to £603 a year on our calculation with a 12p export rate from your own supplier, or £299 to £333 at an open rate of about 4p
Makes payback projections more stable and easy to check

Cons

Not every home has a usable south-facing roof section
Shade from chimneys or nearby buildings can cut the gain
Needs a roof survey to confirm suitability before you sign anything

East- or west-facing split array

Panels split across east- and west-facing pitches spread output across more of the day. Total annual yield is lower than a south-facing roof at the same pitch. On our calculation, a 4 kWp system without a battery on an east-facing roof is worth around £435 to £495 a year, against £523 to £603 south-facing, if you also buy your electricity from the supplier that pays 12p per kWh for exports; at an open export rate of about 4p, a south-facing roof is worth around £299 to £333 (household using 2,500 kWh a year). If your roof has no south-facing section, this setup lets you use roof space that would otherwise sit idle.

Pros

Spreads output across morning and afternoon, which fits typical home usage better
Uses roof space a south-only setup would leave empty
Pairs well with battery storage to capture both morning and afternoon peaks

Cons

Annual output and benefit figures are lower than a south-facing setup
Wiring is more complex when panels sit on two separate pitches
Installer experience with split arrays matters, so check credentials when you compare quotes

How to choose the right installer

Start with certification: every installer working on a residential system should hold MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) accreditation. An installation certified under MCS or an equivalent scheme is what the Smart Export Guarantee requires, and it signals the installer meets recognised quality standards.

Next, match the installer to your roof. A serious installer will want to know your roof's orientation, pitch, age, and any shading before quoting. If a quote arrives without those questions being asked, treat it with caution. Roof age matters too: the Energy Saving Trust says panels should last 25 years or more, so a roof that will need replacing within a decade is worth attending to first.

Finally, compare at least three quotes on the same basis: system size in kWp, panel brand, inverter model, warranty terms, and the assumptions behind any payback estimate. It is the only way to know whether a price is fair for your specific home.

Why request your quotes here

Fill out one short form about your home, your roof, and your energy use. Several MCS-certified installers then contact you directly with offers sized to your situation, so you compare real figures, not a website's headline estimate.

Every installer is quality-checked before they reach you. Costs, products, and warranty terms come through clearly so you can weigh each offer on its own merits. The service is free to use and carries no obligation to proceed.

Request your quotes now and see what the right solar panel system costs for your home.

What moves the price of a solar panel system

System size (kWp)

The more panels you need to cover your consumption, the higher the installed cost. A household with high daytime electricity use will typically need a larger array, and each extra kilowatt-peak adds to both the panel cost and the installation labour.

Roof type and access

A straightforward pitched tile roof costs less to work on than a flat roof, a slate roof, or one that requires specialist access equipment. Unusual roof structures add time and materials, and some may need structural assessment before installation can begin.

Inverter choice

String inverters are the standard option and tend to cost less; microinverters or optimisers add cost but can improve output on roofs with partial shading. Inverter warranties run roughly 5 to 15 years, so the replacement cost over the system's life is worth factoring in when comparing quotes.

Battery storage

Adding a battery to store surplus daytime generation extends what the system does but also adds a meaningful sum to the total. Whether that cost is justified depends on how much of your solar power you currently use during daylight hours and how much you import from the grid overnight.

Location and scaffolding

Labour rates vary across the UK, and some installations require scaffolding that is hired separately and adds to the overall price. Remote properties or roofs with restricted access can also extend the installation day, which is reflected in the final quote.

Typical system cost at a glance

Item	Value
Typical payback period	about 11–16 years south-facing and 13–19 east-facing if you buy your electricity from the supplier paying 12p for exports; about 20–28 years south-facing at an open rate of about 4p (our calculation)
Typical panel/product warranty	panels: terms vary by manufacturer; inverters: at least 5 years, often extendable (Energy Saving Trust)
VAT on residential solar installation	0% (zero-rated to 31 Mar 2027)
Typical installed system cost (domestic)	£7,600 approx. for a typical 4.5 kWp home system (Energy Saving Trust, 2026)
Annual benefit incl. Smart Export Guarantee	£523–£603 a year south-facing and £435–£495 east-facing if you buy your electricity from the supplier paying 12p for exports; £299–£333 south-facing at an open rate of about 4p (our calculation, 4 kWp, no battery)

Facts verified as of 2026-10-02.

From survey to solar panels generating power

Once you have chosen an installer, the first step is a detailed site survey. The installer visits your home to assess the roof structure, measure dimensions, check for shading at different times of day, and confirm the proposed system design.

After the survey, the installer submits any necessary planning or permitted-development notifications. Most domestic installations in England fall within permitted development rights, but conservation areas, listed buildings, and some local authority rules require a formal application before work starts.

Installation typically takes one to two days for a standard domestic system. Once the panels and inverter are in place, the installer registers the system under MCS, which is the certification your electricity supplier needs before they can set up your Smart Export Guarantee tariff. Grid connection paperwork goes to your Distribution Network Operator, and once you have the MCS certificate you can apply to a supplier for an export tariff.

Six things to check before you sign

Confirm the installer holds a current MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) accreditation. Smart Export Guarantee payments need an installation certified under MCS or an equivalent scheme.
Ask for the full system spec: panel brand, kWp rating, inverter model, and warranty period.
Check the quote lists both warranties separately: panels (length varies by manufacturer) and inverter (typically 5 to 15 years), plus the workmanship warranty.
Verify whether your property needs planning permission. This is especially important for conservation areas or listed buildings.
Ask the installer to show the assumptions behind any payback or savings figure: roof direction, how much output you use directly, and the SEG tariff used.
Confirm the total price includes VAT, scaffolding, and any DNO fees. That way you compare quotes on the same basis.

Mistakes worth avoiding

Choosing on price aloneA lower quote that uses off-brand panels or skips the site survey can cost more over the system's lifetime. Panels should last 25 years or more (Energy Saving Trust), and an inverter failure at year seven is a significant unplanned cost. Compare the full specification and warranty terms, not just the headline figure.
Ignoring roof orientation in the payback estimateAn annual benefit quoted without stating the roof's orientation can be misleading. A south-facing roof at ideal pitch and a shaded east-facing roof sit at opposite ends of the output range, and the payback period differs accordingly. Always ask which orientation and shading assumptions sit behind the numbers.
Overlooking the Smart Export Guarantee tariff comparisonThe SEG rate is set by individual suppliers and varies significantly from one to the next. Accepting the first export tariff offered without shopping around means leaving money on the table every year for the life of the system. Once your MCS certificate is issued, you are free to choose any eligible supplier's SEG tariff.

Solar panel terms explained

kWp (kilowatt-peak): The rated output of a solar panel or array under standard test conditions: full sunlight at 25°C. Real-world output is typically lower. UK sunlight and temperature vary across the year, so actual generation will differ from the rated figure. System size in kWp is the main driver of both the install cost and the annual output estimate.
Inverter: The device that converts the direct-current electricity your panels produce into the alternating current your home uses. Inverters have a shorter expected life than the panels. Warranties typically run 5 to 15 years. Replacement cost is worth noting in any long-run payback calculation.
MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme): The UK scheme that accredits both installers and products for small-scale renewable energy systems. Certification under MCS or an equivalent scheme is what a supplier needs before it can register you for Smart Export Guarantee payments. It also underpins product and workmanship warranty claims.
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG): The scheme under which electricity suppliers with at least 150,000 domestic customers must offer a tariff for surplus power you export to the grid. Rates are set by each supplier, must always be above zero, and vary widely. SEG payments require an installation certified under MCS or an equivalent scheme. Comparing tariffs after your system is live is worth doing.

Sources

Prices and rates reviewed 2 October 2026