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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 quotesSolar and battery: your questions answered
Answers to the most common questions.
How long does a solar and battery system take to pay back?
The typical payback period is 9 to 12 years on an ideal south-facing roof, and longer if your roof faces east or is shaded (Energy Saving Trust, July 2026 fuel prices). That figure depends on your system size, how much of the solar power you use directly, your electricity tariff and the SEG rate you receive for exports. An installer quoting a payback period shorter than this without stating those assumptions should be asked to show the workings.
Does adding a battery improve the payback?
A battery raises your self-consumption, the share of solar electricity you use yourself rather than export. That reduces your grid bill more than exporting at the SEG rate would. However, batteries add to the upfront cost and carry their own warranty terms, typically shorter than panel warranties. Whether a battery improves payback in your case depends on when your household uses most power. An installer should model both scenarios before recommending one.
Will I need planning permission to install solar panels?
Most domestic roof-mounted solar installations in England fall under permitted development rights and do not require a full planning application. Exceptions include listed buildings and properties in conservation areas, where local authority consent may be required. Your installer is responsible for confirming which rules apply to your property and for submitting any required notifications before work begins. Always get this confirmed in writing.
What is the Smart Export Guarantee and how do I access it?
The Smart Export Guarantee requires electricity suppliers with at least 150,000 domestic customers to pay you for surplus solar electricity exported to the grid. The rate is set by each supplier and must be above zero, but rates vary significantly between suppliers, so comparing tariffs is worthwhile. To access SEG, your installation must be certified under MCS or an equivalent scheme. Once certified, you apply directly to your chosen supplier.
Is the 0% VAT on solar installation still available?
Yes. VAT on residential solar installation is currently zero-rated at 0%, confirmed until 31 March 2027. On a typical installed system cost of £5,000 to £10,000, this makes a material difference to the total you pay. After that date the reduced rate applies. The VAT rate applied should be visible in your installer's quote. Check that it reflects the zero rate if your installation is scheduled before the deadline.
A solar and battery system costs anywhere from £5,000 to £10,000 installed, and the right installer can make the difference between a payback of nine years and twelve. Before you commit to any quote, it pays to hear from more than one.
This page helps you do exactly that. Fill out one short form about your home, your roof and your energy use, and qualified local installers get in touch with quotes sized to your situation. You review the offers you receive and decide, no pressure, no obligation.
In short
- Pay 0% VAT on installation, zero-rated until 31 March 2027
- Receive personal quotes from MCS-certified local installers for your home
- Compare offers with payback figures and stated assumptions before committing
- Ensure your installation qualifies for Smart Export Guarantee payments by choosing MCS-certified work
Four types of solar and battery system
Below is a comparison of what each type is like.
Solar-only system
Panels on the roof feed power into your home during daylight hours. You reduce what you draw from the grid. A battery can be added later if your needs change.
Pros
- Lower upfront cost than a combined system
- Simpler install, faster to complete
Cons
- Surplus energy is exported at the SEG rate rather than stored for evening use
- Less benefit if your household uses most power after dark
Solar with home battery
A battery stores surplus power for use in the evening or on cloudy days. This raises the share of your own solar energy you actually consume. More of the electricity you use costs nothing.
Pros
- Higher self-use means more of your electricity costs nothing
- Stored power covers evening use without drawing from the grid at peak rates
Cons
- Higher upfront cost adds to the total install price
- Battery warranties typically run shorter than panel warranties, check the terms carefully
AC-coupled retrofit battery
A standalone battery unit connects to an existing solar array through a separate inverter. It lets homeowners upgrade without replacing their current setup.
Pros
- Keeps an already working solar install in place
- Works with most existing panel setups
Cons
- A second inverter adds cost and a point to maintain
- The extra step of converting power can reduce storage benefit
DC-coupled integrated system
Panels, battery and a single hybrid inverter are wired together from the start. Power flows from generation through to storage in one joined path.
Pros
- One inverter typically runs at higher round-trip efficiency than an AC-coupled setup
- Fewer parts make for a cleaner install
Cons
- The whole system must be planned and installed at once, less flexible if needs change later
- Hybrid inverters sit at the higher end of inverter costs
Off-grid solar and battery
A large battery bank sized to cover several days without sun. Designed for homes where a grid link is not practical, or where full energy independence is the goal.
Pros
- No exposure to grid tariff changes or standing charges
- No export metering or SEG arrangements needed
Cons
- The system must be sized for worst-case winter output, cost is significantly higher
- Not eligible for SEG payments as there is no export to the grid
How to choose the right installer
Start with certification. Any installer you consider should hold MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) accreditation, this is the scheme your installation must be certified under to qualify for Smart Export Guarantee payments. Ask to see the certificate, not just a claim.
Next, match the installer to your roof. A south-facing, unshaded roof at a pitch of 30 to 40 degrees will get a different recommendation from a competent installer than a part-shaded east-west split. Ask each installer how they have accounted for your specific orientation and any shading in their output estimate.
Then weigh the warranty terms. Panels typically carry a 20 to 25 year product warranty; inverters run shorter, roughly 5 to 15 years. A battery system adds its own warranty, which may differ again. Make sure each quote breaks these out separately so you can compare like for like.
Finally, check what the quote actually contains. A thorough quote will state the system size in kWp, the expected annual generation, the assumed electricity tariff and export rate, the full installed price, and the workmanship guarantee period. If a quote omits any of these, ask for them in writing before you proceed.
Why request quotes through here
Fill out one form and MCS-certified local installers get in touch directly with quotes built around your roof, your consumption and your budget. You compare the offers you receive on transparent figures, cost, payback, warranty terms, rather than headline numbers.
The service is free and no-obligation. Get your quotes and make a decision on your own terms.
Request your quotes now and let the installers compete for your business.
What drives the cost of solar and battery
System size in kWp
The more kilowatt-peak capacity you install, the higher the hardware and labour cost. A home with high daytime consumption benefits from a larger array, but oversizing beyond what your roof and usage justify adds cost without proportionate gain. Your installer should size the system to your annual consumption profile, not to a standard package.
Battery capacity and chemistry
Adding a battery is the single largest cost variable after the panels themselves. Capacity is measured in kilowatt-hours, and the price per kWh varies by battery chemistry and brand. Lithium iron phosphate units typically carry longer cycle warranties than older lithium-ion chemistries, which affects the long-term value calculation, ask each installer to state the cycle warranty alongside the price.
Roof type, pitch and access
A straightforward pitched tile roof costs less to install on than a flat roof, a slate roof or a building requiring specialist access equipment. The mounting system changes, and scaffolding requirements vary significantly. Installers should inspect or survey your roof before quoting, be cautious of any firm that prices without doing so.
Inverter type and quality
String inverters are the most common and the most affordable; microinverters or power optimisers are fitted per panel and cost more, but they limit shading losses and make per-panel monitoring possible. A hybrid inverter for a combined solar-and-battery system sits above a standard string inverter in price. Each configuration has a different maintenance profile and warranty term.
VAT rate and timing
Residential solar installation is currently zero-rated for VAT at 0%, a rate confirmed until 31 March 2027. On a system costing £5,000 to £10,000, that is a meaningful difference compared with the standard rate. After March 2027 the reduced rate applies, so the timing of your installation affects the total you pay, factor this into your payback calculation.
Indicative system cost ranges
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.
How the installation process works
Once you have chosen an installer, they carry out a detailed site survey, measuring your roof, checking the structure and confirming the electrical installation is suitable. This typically takes an hour or two.
The installer submits any required planning or building control notifications on your behalf. Most domestic roof-mounted systems fall under permitted development, but listed buildings and conservation areas may require a formal application, your installer confirms this before work starts.
Installation itself usually takes one to two days for a standard roof-mounted system. The installer registers the system with the grid through your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) and applies for MCS certification on completion.
With MCS certification in hand, you can apply to your electricity supplier for a Smart Export Guarantee tariff. SEG rates are supplier-set and vary, so comparing tariffs across suppliers at this stage can improve the return on your system.
Six things to check before you sign
- Confirm the installer holds a current MCS certificate. Check the MCS installer database directly to verify it.
- Ask for a full itemised quote: system size in kWp, hardware brands, inverter type and all warranty terms in writing.
- Check that the payback estimate names the assumed electricity tariff, export rate and your annual consumption.
- Ask whether your roof needs repair before panels go on. Fitting a new roof under an existing array is a costly job.
- Find out if your install needs permitted development notice or full planning consent before work starts.
- Confirm that 0% VAT applies to your quote. This zero rate is confirmed until 31 March 2027.
Mistakes to avoid when going solar
- Choosing on upfront price aloneThe cheapest quote may use lower-grade panels or a short workmanship warranty. Panels typically carry a 20 to 25 year product warranty, but that is a manufacturer commitment, the installation warranty is separate and installer-set. A system that fails in year three with only a one-year workmanship guarantee leaves you exposed. Compare quotes on total cost of ownership, not headline price.
- Treating the SEG as a grantThe Smart Export Guarantee is an export payment, not a subsidy. You receive it only for surplus electricity you send back to the grid, and only once your installation is MCS-certified. The rate is set by each supplier and varies, so the annual benefit depends on how much you export and which SEG tariff you choose. Systems that maximise self-consumption export less, and earn less from SEG.
- Skipping roof assessmentFitting panels to a roof that needs replacing within five years means dismantling and reinstalling the array, at further cost. An honest installer will flag roof condition before quoting. If yours does not, ask directly. The cost of roof work before installation should be factored into your payback calculation from the start.
- Accepting a single quoteConsumer organisations including Which? and MoneySavingExpert recommend getting at least three quotes before committing to a solar installation. A single quote gives you no reference point for price, system specification or warranty terms. Installers who know they are competing tend to quote more carefully, getting multiple offers is the most straightforward way to protect yourself.
Key terms you will see in quotes
- kWp (kilowatt-peak)
- The rated output of a solar panel or array under standard test conditions, full sun, 25°C, no shading. Real-world output is lower: expect roughly 850 to 1,100 kWh per kWp per year in the UK, depending on roof orientation and location. System size in kWp is the main driver of both cost and generation.
- Inverter
- The device that converts the direct current (DC) electricity generated by your panels into the alternating current (AC) your home uses. Inverters come as string (one unit for the array), microinverters (one per panel) or hybrid (handles both panels and battery). Warranty terms run shorter than panel warranties, typically 5 to 15 years, so factor replacement cost into your long-term sums.
- MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme)
- The UK certification framework for small-scale renewable energy installations. An MCS-certified installation is a requirement for access to the Smart Export Guarantee, and it is the quality benchmark that separates accredited installers from unaccredited ones. Always check the installer's certificate on the MCS database before signing any contract.
- Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
- A scheme requiring electricity suppliers with at least 150,000 domestic customers to offer a tariff that pays you for surplus solar electricity exported to the grid. The rate is supplier-set, must always be above zero, and varies significantly between suppliers. Comparing SEG tariffs after installation is a straightforward step that affects your annual return.
Prices and rates reviewed 30 June 2026
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