Fitting solar panels for your home is one of the most effective ways to cut your electricity bill and protect yourself from rising energy prices. But the choices can feel overwhelming: how big a system, which panels, whether to add a battery, and what it all costs.
This guide answers the questions homeowners ask most. You will learn what a home solar system costs in 2026, how many panels you need, whether solar is worth it, and how to choose the right panels for your roof. When you are ready to see exact numbers for your home, you can request a fixed quote at any point.
How much do solar panels cost in the UK?
The price of a home solar system depends on its size, the panels and inverter you choose, your roof, and whether you add battery storage. As a guide, here is what UK homeowners typically pay for a fully installed system in 2026 with home battery storage.
|
System size |
Panels (approx.) |
Typical annual output |
Indicative installed price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
3 kW to 3.5 kW |
6 to 8 |
2,800 to 3,300 kWh |
£7,000 to £8,000 |
|
4 kW to 4.5 kW |
10 to 12 |
3,400 to 4,000 kWh |
£7,000 to £8,000 |
|
6 kW |
12 to 14 |
5,000 to 5,600 kWh |
£8,000 to £9,000 |
|
10 kW |
20 to 22 |
8,500 to 9,500 kWh |
£9,000 to £12,000 |
These figures are indicative market ranges for a standard pitched roof. Your own price could be lower or higher depending on access, scaffolding, and the products you pick. For an exact figure, get a quote and we will price your specific roof.
What is included in the price
A full installed price normally covers the panels, the inverter, the mounting system, the cabling and isolation, the labour, and the scaffolding.
0% VAT on solar and battery storage
There is a genuine saving to be aware of. In Great Britain, installed solar panels and battery storage are zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027, after which the rate is due to return to 5%. That means you pay no VAT on a qualifying installation booked and completed before that date. If you are weighing up the timing, this relief is worth factoring in.
How many solar panels does your home need?
The right system size comes down to two things: how much electricity you use, and how much roof space you have.
A typical UK home uses somewhere between 2,700 and 4,000 kWh of electricity a year. As a rough rule, every kW of solar you install generates around 850 to 950 kWh a year on a south-facing roof, less on east or west roofs. So a 4 kW system covers a large share of an average household's daytime demand.
A worked example
Take a three to four bedroom home using about 3,600 kWh a year. A 4 kW system with around ten 400 W to 450 W panels would produce roughly 3,400 to 4,000 kWh a year. You will not use all of that directly, because most generation happens during the day when many people are out, which is exactly where a battery helps (more on that below).
Roof space matters too. A modern 400 W to 450 W panel is about 1.7 metres by 1.1 metres, so ten panels need roughly 20 square metres of clear, well-oriented roof. If your roof is smaller or broken up by chimneys and windows, higher-efficiency panels let you fit more capacity into less space.
You can browse the full range on our solar panels collection, or start with a complete PV kit if you want the panels, inverter and mounting matched for you.
Are solar panels worth it? Payback and savings
For most UK homes, yes. The two ways solar saves you money are self-consumption and export.
Self-consumption is the electricity you generate and use yourself. Every unit you use is a unit you do not buy from the grid, so at today's prices of roughly 25p per kWh that is a direct saving. The more of your generation you use, the faster your payback.
Export is the electricity you generate but do not use. Under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), licensed energy suppliers pay you for the surplus you send back to the grid. Rates vary by supplier, so it pays to compare SEG tariffs once your system is installed.
Realistically, a well-sized home system pays for itself in around 7 to 12 years, and often faster if you have high daytime use or add a battery to capture more of your generation. After that, the electricity is effectively free for the rest of the system's life, which is typically 25 years or more.
Do you need a battery too?
A battery stores the solar energy you generate during the day so you can use it in the evening, when most households use the most power. Without a battery, that surplus is exported for a modest SEG rate; with one, you avoid buying it back at a much higher rate later.
A battery is not essential, but it increases how much of your own solar you actually use, which improves your savings and your independence from the grid. If you are on a time-of-use tariff, a battery can also charge from cheap overnight electricity. You can see the options on our battery storage collection.
How to choose the right panels
Not all panels are the same. Here is what actually matters when you choose.
Panel type: monocrystalline, bifacial and all-black
Almost all quality residential panels today are monocrystalline, which offers the best efficiency for a home roof. All-black panels have a black frame and backsheet for a cleaner look, which many homeowners prefer aesthetically. Bifacial panels generate from both the front and a small amount of reflected light on the rear, which is most useful on flat roofs and ground mounts rather than tight pitched roofs.
Efficiency, warranty and degradation
Higher efficiency means more power from the same roof area, which is valuable if space is limited. Just as important is the warranty. Look at both the product warranty (typically 12 to 25 years) and the performance warranty, which guarantees the panel still produces a high percentage of its rated output after 25 years. All panels degrade slowly over time; a good panel loses only a fraction of a percent a year.
If you want to compare exact models side by side on efficiency, dimensions and cost per watt, use our solar panel comparison page. When you are ready to choose, our home solar panels collection lists what we stock for residential roofs.
On-roof or in-roof? A note on mounting
There are two ways panels attach to your roof. On-roof panels sit on brackets a few centimetres above your existing tiles, which is the most common and usually the most cost-effective approach. In-roof (integrated) panels replace a section of tiles and sit flush with the roof for a sleeker look, which suits new builds and re-roofs.
Which is right depends on your roof and your budget. We cover the full comparison in our guide to on-roof versus in-roof solar mounting.
Getting a quote and what happens next
Every home is different, so the only way to know your exact price, output and payback is a proper assessment. When you request a quote, we look at your roof, your energy use and your goals, and give you a fixed price with no obligation.
If you would rather build your system from matched components, our complete PV kits pair the panels, inverter and mounting for you.
Frequently asked questions
How much do solar panels cost for an average UK home? For a typical 4 kW system you should expect an indicative installed price of around £6,000 to £8,000 in 2026, before any battery. Your exact price depends on your roof and the products you choose.
How many solar panels do I need? Most homes suit a 4 kW to 6 kW system, which is roughly 10 to 15 modern panels. The right size depends on your annual electricity use and available roof space.
Are solar panels worth it in the UK? For most homes, yes. A well-sized system typically pays back in around 7 to 12 years and then generates near-free electricity for decades. High daytime use and a battery shorten the payback.
Do I still get paid for exporting electricity? Yes. The Smart Export Guarantee requires licensed suppliers to pay you for surplus electricity you export. Rates vary between suppliers, so compare tariffs after installation.
Do I need planning permission? Most home solar installations are permitted development and do not need planning permission, though there are exceptions for listed buildings and conservation areas. Your installer will confirm the position for your property.
Ready to see the numbers for your home? Request a free, no-obligation quote.
