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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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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?
The typical payback period is 9 to 12 years on an ideal south-facing roof, according to the Energy Saving Trust (based on July 2026 fuel prices). 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, and some panels have a 25-year warranty (Which?); inverters are typically warranted for 5 to 15 years. 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. Payback typically runs 9 to 12 years on an ideal roof, 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: £605 to £675 a year in bill savings plus SEG payments (June 2025 prices, ideal roof). A roof survey is needed to confirm your roof qualifies before you commit.
Pros
- Delivers the highest annual output for a given panel count
- Supports the stronger annual benefit range of £605 to £675 a year
- 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, and for comparison Which? puts an east-facing roof with modest shading at around £410 to £470 a year (bill savings plus SEG, June 2025 prices). 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. Consumer bodies such as Which? recommend this step, and 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 | 9–12 years (ideal roof; longer if east-facing or shaded) |
Typical panel/product warranty | panels: terms vary, some 25 years (Which?); inverters ~5–15 years |
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 | £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 2026-10-02.
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.
Prices and rates reviewed 2 October 2026