EDF Solar Panels Review: Prices, Installer & Alternatives
EDF sells home solar panels and batteries through Contact Solar, the installer it bought in February 2024. Systems use LONGi panels and Sunsynk inverters, and buyers get access to an exclusive export tariff paying up to 18p per kWh.
EDF publishes one price: £5,775 for a 1.92kW, 4-panel system. That is a small system, so the real question is what EDF charges for the 3 to 4kW most homes need, and how that compares with local MCS installers.
Quick Answer
EDF solar panels start at £5,775 for a 1.92kW, 4-panel system installed by Contact Solar, EDF's own installer. The kit is good (LONGi panels with a 30-year warranty, Sunsynk inverter) and the 18p export tariff is above the market average. But the entry price works out at about £3,008 per kW, while a typical 3kW system from an independent installer costs £5,000–£6,400. Get an EDF quote and at least two local quotes for the same size before deciding.
Last updated November 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
What is EDF Solar?
EDF Energy is one of the UK’s largest electricity suppliers. Rather than subcontract solar work, it bought Contact Solar in February 2024 and sells installs under the EDF name. The offer covers rooftop solar panels, battery storage, and two tariffs reserved for customers who buy their system from EDF.
Installer
Contact Solar: MCS certified, TrustMark registered and a Which? Trusted Trader. EDF owns it, so the installer and the seller are the same business.
Equipment
LONGi 480W panels and Sunsynk inverters. Systems run from 4 to 16 panels. The battery is 5.32kWh; EDF does not name the battery brand.
Coverage
England and Wales and “some areas of Scotland”. The entry price excludes Greater London. Northern Ireland is not mentioned.
How buying from EDF works
- Request a quote online or call EDF
- EDF calls back for a remote survey within three working days
- You receive a fixed quote for your roof and usage
- Contact Solar installs, in as little as four weeks after the survey
- EDF handles MCS registration and the export tariff sign-up
How much do EDF solar panels cost?
EDF’s only published price is the entry system below. Its website says it compares costs for 4 to 16 panels, but it does not list prices for larger systems, so anything above 4 panels needs a quote.
| System | EDF | Independent installer (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| 1.92kW (4 × 480W) | From £5,775 | Rarely quoted this small |
| 3kW (7 panels) | Quote only | £5,000–£6,400 |
| 4kW (10 panels) | Quote only | £6,000–£7,800 |
| Battery (~5kWh) | From £3,995 (5.32kWh, incl. inverter) | £2,500–£4,000 |
EDF Black Friday offer, until 29 November
EDF is including a free 5.12kWh Sunsynk Elite battery, which it values at £1,620, with a 4kW solar system ordered by 29 November. EDF doesn’t publish the 4kW system price, so ask for the full quote and compare it with a local quote for 4kW plus a 5kWh battery. T&Cs apply.
The per-kW picture
EDF’s entry system costs about £3,008 per kW. A typical 3kW independent install works out at £1,667 to £2,133 per kW. Part of that gap is size: scaffolding, the inverter and labour cost roughly the same whether you fit 4 panels or 10, so small systems always look expensive per kW. That is why the useful comparison is an EDF quote against local quotes for the same size, not EDF’s headline price against a market average.
What the £5,775 includes
0% VAT, a standard installation in England outside Greater London, and scaffolding up to £995. Extra scaffolding, a more complex roof, add-ons and location can all push the price up. The 0% VAT rate applies to every installer, not just EDF, and runs until 31 March 2027.
EDF prices from edfenergy.com, checked October 2026. Independent prices are typical UK installed prices including 0% VAT; see our solar panel cost guide for every system size.
EDF’s solar tariffs
The tariffs are EDF’s strongest selling point. Both are only open to customers who buy solar panels or a battery from EDF.
Export Exclusive 12m v3: up to 18p/kWh
Pays up to 18p for every kWh you send to the grid, fixed for 12 months. That is above the typical Smart Export Guarantee rate, but check what it reverts to after the first year. Compare it with other suppliers in our EDF export tariff review.
Empower Fixed Exclusive 12m
A 12-month import tariff with no standing charge for the first year, a 10p/kWh overnight discount for charging a battery, and no exit fees. EDF advertises potential £0 bills for 12 months, based on its own usage assumptions. EDF does not state the unit rate on its solar page, so ask for it in writing.
Already have panels? EDF’s standard export rates are 15p for existing EDF electricity customers and 3p for everyone else. You do not have to buy from EDF to get a good export rate. Any MCS-certified system qualifies for the Smart Export Guarantee with any supplier, and several pay more than the average. See our Smart Export Guarantee guide.
Compare EDF with local MCS installers
Get quotes for the same system size from installers near you.
Get a Quote ↓EDF vs independent solar installers
Choose EDF if…
- You want a large energy company behind the installation
- You will use the 18p export tariff and the Empower import tariff
- You are happy with LONGi panels and a Sunsynk inverter
- You want one company for your energy and your solar
Choose an independent installer if…
- You want to pick your own panels, inverter or battery, such as Sigenergy or a Tesla Powerwall 3
- You live in Greater London, Northern Ireland or an area of Scotland EDF does not cover
- You want to keep your current energy supplier
- You want several quotes to make sure the price is fair
Our take
EDF’s offer is more credible than most supplier solar deals because it owns its installer and names its equipment. The weak spot is price transparency: one published price, for a system smaller than most homes need. Ask EDF for a quote on a 3 to 4kW system, then get at least two quotes from local MCS-certified installers for the same size. It is also worth reading our Octopus, British Gas and E.ON solar reviews if you are comparing supplier offers.
EDF Solar Panels FAQ
How much do EDF solar panels cost?
EDF's published entry price is £5,775 for a 1.92kW system with 4 LONGi 480W panels and a Sunsynk inverter, including 0% VAT and up to £995 of scaffolding. It excludes Greater London and battery storage. EDF does not publish prices for larger systems, so you need a quote for anything bigger.
Who installs EDF solar panels?
Contact Solar, a solar installer EDF bought in February 2024. Contact Solar is MCS certified, TrustMark registered and a Which? Trusted Trader.
Are EDF solar panels any good?
The equipment is solid: LONGi panels with a 30-year warranty and a Sunsynk inverter. On price, EDF's entry system works out at about £3,008 per kW, against roughly £1,667 to £2,133 per kW for a typical 3kW system from an independent installer. Small systems always cost more per kW, so compare like-for-like quotes for the size you actually need.
What are the current EDF solar rates?
EDF's Export Exclusive 12m v3 tariff pays up to 18p per kWh to customers who buy new solar panels or a battery from EDF. Its Empower Fixed Exclusive 12m import tariff has no standing charge for the first year and a 10p/kWh overnight discount for battery charging. If EDF did not install your panels, its standard export rates are lower: 15p for existing EDF electricity customers and 3p for everyone else.
Does EDF install solar panels in Scotland or London?
EDF says it installs across England and Wales and some areas of Scotland. Its entry price excludes Greater London, where installation costs more. Northern Ireland is not mentioned.
Can I add a battery to EDF solar panels?
Yes. EDF's battery starts at £3,995 including an inverter, for 5.32kWh of storage with a 10-year warranty. Fitting it at the same time as the panels keeps it at 0% VAT.
Do I need to be an EDF customer to buy EDF solar panels?
No. You can buy the system without switching supplier, but the Export Exclusive tariff and the Empower Fixed Exclusive import tariff require you to buy solar or a battery from EDF and take your electricity from them.
What is the EDF solar panels contact number?
EDF's solar sales line is 0333 091 4100. You can also request a callback on the EDF website, after which EDF arranges a remote survey.
How do I register my solar panels with EDF?
If you already have solar panels, you can apply for an EDF Smart Export Guarantee tariff with your MCS certificate. EDF pays 15p per kWh if you buy your electricity from EDF and 3p if you do not; the 18p rate is only for systems EDF installed.
Does EDF offer solar panel grants?
EDF does not run its own solar grant. Its installs get the 0% VAT rate that applies to every installer until 31 March 2027, and EDF refers customers to Snugg's Carbon Cashback scheme, which pays up to £2,000 over 10 years for eligible installs. EDF is only a referral partner, so those payments depend on Snugg's terms.
How long does EDF solar installation take?
EDF says it will call back for a remote survey within three working days, and installation can follow in as little as four weeks after the survey.
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Sources
- EDF: Solar panels
- MCS: Microgeneration Certification Scheme
- Ofgem: Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
- HMRC: 0% VAT on Energy-Saving Materials
Last updated: November 2026
John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the UK solar energy market since 2023. He researches every battery and inverter brand against manufacturer datasheets, MCS and Ofgem data, and feedback from the MCS-certified installers in our directory before publishing.
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