How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in the UK?
Most UK homes spend £5,000–£11,800 on solar panels, and where you land depends almost entirely on how many panels you fit. The usual job for a three-bedroom house is 10 panels (4 kWp), which costs £6,000–£7,800 installed now that residential solar carries no VAT. It saves about £620 a year and pays for itself in 9–11 yrs, then keeps producing for another decade or more. That is in line with the Energy Saving Trust's £7,600 for a 4.5 kWp system and the government's median of £1,546–£1,595 per kW. For the wider picture on solar panels in the UK, start with our main guide.
Quick Answer
A typical 10-panel (4 kWp) system costs £6,000–£7,800 with 0% VAT. A 4-bed home needing 12 panels pays £7,200–£9,200. Adding a 5 kWh battery to the 10-panel system brings the total to £8,500–£11,800.
Prices reviewed November 2026. Based on quotes from UK MCS-certified installers.
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Instant price estimate
What would solar cost for your home?
Your home
Battery
10 panels (4 kWp)
£6,000–£7,800
Typical use
about 2,700 kWh a year
Panels alone save
about £620 a year
Panels pay back in
9–11 yrs
VAT
0%, already included
Typical installed prices from MCS-certified installers at 0% VAT. An installer confirms the real price after a roof survey.
How to read your estimate
Pick your home and whether you want a battery, and the estimate shows the system most installers would quote for it. It uses the same typical installed prices as the tables below, so it is a fair guide to what a written quote should look like.
A quote well under the range usually means smaller panels, a basic inverter or scaffolding left off the price. A quote well over it should come with a reason, such as premium panels, a three-storey house or a difficult roof.
The only way to get your exact price is a roof survey, which is free with any MCS installer. Comparing three quotes is how most homeowners land in the lower half of the range.
How much do solar panels cost by system size?
These are full supply-and-install prices from MCS-certified firms, so the figure covers the panels, inverter, mounting kit, scaffolding and electrical work. Residential jobs are zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027, and that is already in the prices below.
| System Size | Panels | Installed Cost (0% VAT) | Roof Space | Annual Output | Saving a Year | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 kWp | 7 | £5,000–£6,400 | ~14 m² | ~2,550 kWh | ~£470 | 10–12 yrs |
| 3.5 kWp | 8 | £5,500–£6,900 | ~16 m² | ~2,900 kWh | ~£530 | 10–12 yrs |
| 4 kWp | 10 | £6,000–£7,800 | ~20 m² | ~3,400 kWh | ~£620 | 9–11 yrs |
| 5 kWp | 12 | £7,200–£9,200 | ~23 m² | ~4,250 kWh | ~£780 | 9–11 yrs |
| 6 kWp | 14 | £8,400–£10,600 | ~27 m² | ~5,300 kWh | ~£970 | 8–10 yrs |
| 7 kWp | 16 | £9,500–£11,800 | ~31 m² | ~6,300 kWh | ~£1,150 | 8–10 yrs |
Savings assume you use 40% of the power at home at 26p a kWh (the current price cap) and export the rest at the 13p average. Payback is on the typical price at the best widely available export rate (15p); at the average rate add about a year. The highlighted 4 kWp row is the size most UK homes choose; see the full 4kW solar system cost breakdown, or costs for larger systems.
How do these prices compare with official figures and the big suppliers?
Our typical price, 4 kWp
£6,900
About £1,725 per kW, range £6,000–£7,800
Government median (DESNZ)
£1,546–£1,595 per kW
Installs from April 2025 to March 2026, published May 2026
Energy Saving Trust
£7,600
For a typical 4.5 kWp system
Our typical price sits a little above the government median because that median includes new-build and larger installs, which cost less per kW than fitting a single house roof. The big energy suppliers now publish their own prices, mostly for small entry systems. Here is what each one shows on its website (November 2026):
| Supplier | Published system | Price (0% VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Boxt | 4 panels | From £3,999 |
| E.ON Next | 6 panels (~2.5 kWp) | From £4,995 |
| Hive (British Gas) | 8 × 470W (3.76 kWp) | From £5,035 |
| Boxt | 8 panels | From £5,199 |
| EDF | 4 × 480W (1.92 kWp) | From £5,775 |
| E.ON Next | 12 panels (~5 kWp) | From £6,495 |
| Octopus | 2 × 455W (0.9 kWp) | From £6,663 |
| Hive (British Gas) | 8 panels + 5 kWh battery | From £6,835 |
| Octopus | 12 × 455W + 10 kWh battery | From £11,115 |
Supplier prices are “from” prices and assume a straightforward roof (typically tiles, one roof face, two storeys). Small systems cost much more per panel because scaffolding, the inverter and labour cost the same whatever the size. Sources: DESNZ Solar PV cost data, Energy Saving Trust, and each supplier's website; see our review pages for the conditions behind each price.
Solar panel cost by house size: 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes
Installers size a system from your electricity use, and bedrooms are a rough guide to that. The usage figures are Ofgem's low, medium and high typical values. If you have an electric car or a heat pump, size up a band. Our how many solar panels do I need calculator works it out from your bill.
| Home | Typical Use a Year | System | Cost (0% VAT) | With 5 kWh Battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 bed | about 1,800 kWh | 7 panels (3 kWp) | £5,000–£6,400 | £7,500–£10,400 |
| 3 bed | about 2,700 kWh | 10 panels (4 kWp) | £6,000–£7,800 | £8,500–£11,800 |
| 4 bed | about 4,100 kWh | 12 panels (5 kWp) | £7,200–£9,200 | £9,700–£13,200 |
| 5+ bed / EV | 4,100 kWh or more | 16 panels (7 kWp) | £9,500–£11,800 | £12,000–£15,800 |
Roof space matters as much as bedrooms. A mid-terrace often fits fewer panels than its usage calls for; see solar panels on a terraced house for what usually fits.
Cost per panel, per kWp and per square metre
Quotes come as one price for the whole system, but breaking it down helps when you compare quotes for different sizes. Small systems cost more per panel because the scaffolding, inverter and labour are shared across fewer panels.
| System | Typical Price | Per Panel (fitted) | Per kWp | Per m² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 panels (3 kWp) | £5,700 | ~£810 | ~£1,900 | ~£420 |
| 8 panels (3.5 kWp) | £6,200 | ~£780 | ~£1,770 | ~£400 |
| 10 panels (4 kWp) | £6,900 | ~£690 | ~£1,730 | ~£350 |
| 12 panels (5 kWp) | £8,200 | ~£680 | ~£1,640 | ~£350 |
| 14 panels (6 kWp) | £9,500 | ~£680 | ~£1,580 | ~£350 |
| 16 panels (7 kWp) | £10,650 | ~£670 | ~£1,520 | ~£340 |
Typical price is the middle of each range. Per m² assumes a standard 430 to 450 W panel of about 1.95 m².
How much do solar panels and a battery cost?
A battery stores what the panels make during the day so you can use it in the evening, which lifts the share you use yourself from about 40% to 70% or 80%. Fitting it with the panels avoids a second install day and a second set of scaffolding. Plenty of homes do fine without one.
| Package | Total Installed (0% VAT) |
|---|---|
| 10 panels (4 kWp) + 5 kWh battery | £8,500–£11,800 |
| 10 panels (4 kWp) + 10 kWh battery | £10,500–£14,300 |
| 12 panels (5 kWp) + 10 kWh battery | £11,700–£15,700 |
| 14 panels (6 kWp) + 13.5 kWh battery | £15,900–£19,100 |
Battery on its own
| Battery | Capacity | Added Cost | Saves a Year | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FoxESS, Sigenergy, Puredrive | 5 kWh | £2,500–£4,000 | £260–£390 | 8–13 yrs |
| FoxESS, Sigenergy SigenStor | 10 kWh | £4,500–£6,500 | £380–£590 | 9–14 yrs |
| Tesla Powerwall 3 | 13.5 kWh | £7,500–£8,500 | £470–£740 | 11–17 yrs |
Battery savings assume a 4 kWp system and an off-peak tariff for charging on days the panels do not fill it. A battery pays back fastest for homes that use most of their power in the evening, have an EV, or are on a tariff like Intelligent Octopus. More on solar battery storage.
What does the price include, and what costs extra?
UK quotes bundle the kit and the fitting into one price. A good quote from an MCS installer should include all of the following:
- The panels, usually Tier 1 N-type from Jinko, JA Solar, Trina or Aiko
- An inverter (a hybrid one if you might add a battery later)
- Roof mounting rails, cabling, isolators and a generation meter
- Scaffolding for a standard two-storey house
- One to two days of fitting and the electrical certificate
- The DNO notification and your MCS certificate, which you need for export payments
Extra costs to budget for
| Item | Typical Cost | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Extra scaffolding or access | £400–£1,200 | Three-storey houses, slate roofs or tricky access |
| Flat roof frames | £400–£800 | Flat roofs need tilt frames |
| Bird proofing | £150–£250 | Cheapest while the scaffolding is up |
| EPC assessment | £60–£120 | Optional, if you want an updated rating |
| Inverter replacement | ~£900 | Once, usually between years 12 and 15 |
Re-roofing anyway? Solar roof tiles can replace the tiles you would have bought. Systems with a large inverter may need G99 approval from the network operator first, which costs nothing on a home install but can add several weeks.
What is the payback period for solar panels in the UK?
A 4 kWp system usually breaks even in 9–11 yrs on the best export rate, or 10–12 yrs on the average one, once you add up the bills you avoid and the export income you earn. From there it carries on producing for the best part of two more decades. The table walks through it year by year on the cautious average rate.
“The cost of solar PV modules has fallen by over 90% since 2010, making solar energy the cheapest source of new electricity generation in history.”
| Year | Net Position | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 0 (Install) | −£6,900 | Investment |
| 1 | −£6,280 | |
| 3 | −£5,040 | |
| 5 | −£3,810 | |
| 8 | −£1,980 | |
| 10 | −£780 | |
| 12 | +£420 | Payback reached |
| 13 | +£1,010 | |
| 15 | +£1,290 | Inverter replaced (~£900) |
| 20 | +£4,200 | |
| 25 | +£7,050 | Lifetime return |
Assumes the typical £6,900 price, about £620 saved in year one (40% used at home at 26p a kWh, the rest exported at 13p), panels fading 0.4% a year and one inverter swap. It holds electricity prices flat, so any rise only shortens the payback. Over 25 years that leaves about £7,100 ahead. See the solar panel payback guide for other sizes.
How Much Do Solar Panels Save Per Month?
What you save each month swings hard with the seasons. The summer does the heavy lifting, but even the dead of winter still knocks something off the bill.
| Period | Monthly Output | Monthly Savings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer (May–Aug) | ~430–530 kWh | £80–£120 | Peak output. Long days, high sun angle. |
| Spring/Autumn (Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct) | ~230–330 kWh | £40–£65 | Better than people expect either side of summer. |
| Winter (Nov–Feb) | ~80–180 kWh | £15–£35 | Modest, but it never drops to nothing. |
| Annual Average | ~283 kWh/month | ~£50/month | About £620 a year |
For a 4 kWp system. Your own total will shift with how you use electricity, where you live, which way the roof faces and the export rate you are on.
What Affects the Price of Solar Panels?
System Size
This is the one that moves the price most. More panels cost more, but the price per kWp falls as you go bigger because the scaffolding, inverter and labour are shared across the whole job. For a lot of UK homes 4 kWp hits the sweet spot.
Equipment Brand
Premium panels like Maxeon or Aiko can run 15% to 30% more than solid mid-range names such as Jinko or JA Solar. The inverter counts too: Enphase microinverters cost more than a Huawei or Solis hybrid. Most homeowners are well served by mid-range kit; see the best solar panels.
Roof Type & Access
A standard pitched roof is the cheapest to work on. Flat roofs need tilt frames, and slate, three storeys or awkward access add scaffolding. The extra costs table above has the figures.
Battery Storage
A 5 kWh battery adds £2,500–£4,000, a 10 kWh one £4,500–£6,500, and a Tesla Powerwall 3 at 13.5 kWh £7,500–£8,500.
Installer Pricing
Two MCS firms can quote the same system 15% to 25% apart, which is why it is worth getting three quotes rather than two. Look at the kit, the warranty and the aftercare, not just the total.
Location
Where you live changes how much the panels generate far more than what they cost to fit. A system in southern England puts out maybe 10% to 15% more than the same one in Scotland, yet the install price barely moves.
How to cut the cost of solar panels
- Get three quotes. The same system can be priced 15% to 25% apart. Compare like for like: panel model, inverter, warranty and whether scaffolding is included.
- Size it to your use. Exporting surplus earns 13p to 15p a kWh, much less than the 26p you save by using it, so oversizing without a battery rarely pays.
- Fit the battery at the same time. One install day and one set of scaffolding costs less than two.
- Book outside the spring rush. Installers are busiest from March to June, so autumn and winter jobs are often easier to negotiate.
- Check grants and finance. Eligible homes can get help through UK solar grants, and solar finance spreads the cost, though interest adds to the total.
Solar panel costs in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Install prices are close to the figures above across the UK. Generation is a little lower further north, and each nation has its own help with the cost: see solar panels in Scotland, solar panel costs in Wales and Northern Ireland.
Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Panel Costs
How much do solar panels cost in the UK?
Most homes pay £5,000–£11,800 fitted, depending on how many panels go on the roof. The most common job, a 10-panel (4 kWp) system on a three-bedroom house, costs £6,000–£7,800. Those prices include the installation, scaffolding, MCS certificate and 0% VAT.
How much does it cost to install solar panels?
Installation is part of the price, not an extra. A 10-panel (4 kWp) system costs £6,000–£7,800 all in, which covers the panels, inverter, scaffolding, one to two days of fitting, the electrical certificate, the DNO notification and your MCS certificate. You need that MCS certificate to get paid for the power you export.
How much do solar panels cost for a 3 bedroom house?
A three-bedroom house using the UK typical 2,700 kWh a year usually needs about 10 panels (4 kWp), which costs £6,000–£7,800 installed. It saves around £620 a year without a battery and pays back in 9–11 yrs. Add a 5 kWh battery and the total is £8,500–£11,800.
How much do 12 solar panels cost to buy and install?
Twelve panels make a 5 kWp system, which costs £7,200–£9,200 fitted at 0% VAT. That size suits a four-bedroom home and generates about 4,250 kWh a year.
How much does it cost to install 4 solar panels?
A small system costs far more per panel, because the scaffolding, inverter and electrical work cost the same whether four panels go up or ten. Most MCS installers start at about seven panels (3 kWp, from £5,000). Of the big brands, BOXT advertises 4 panels from £3,999 and EDF from £5,775. For most homes, 10 panels is much better value.
What is the cost of solar panels per square metre?
About £350 per square metre on a typical 4 kWp system. Each 430 to 450 W panel covers roughly 1.95 m², so 10 panels need about 20 m² of roof.
What is the cost of solar panels and a battery in the UK?
A 4 kWp system with a 5 kWh battery costs £8,500–£11,800 fitted. With a 10 kWh battery it is £10,500–£14,300. A 6 kWp system with a 13.5 kWh Tesla Powerwall 3 comes to £15,900–£19,100. All include 0% VAT, which covers batteries too.
How long until solar panels pay for themselves?
A 4 kWp system usually pays back in 9–11 yrs on the best widely available export rate (15p), or 10–12 yrs on the 13p average. After that it keeps producing for another decade or more.
How much do solar panels save per year?
A 4 kWp system saves a typical home about £620 a year, roughly £50 a month averaged out. Summer months save £80 to £120 and winter months £15 to £35. The saving comes from the power you use yourself (worth about 26p a kWh at the current price cap) plus Smart Export Guarantee payments on the rest.
Do I need to pay VAT on solar panels?
No. Residential solar is zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027, as long as an installer supplies and fits it under one contract. On a 4 kWp system that saves about £1,200–£1,600.
Do solar panels cost more in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?
Install prices barely change around the UK. What changes is output: a system in southern England generates roughly 10% to 15% more than the same one in Scotland, so payback is a little longer further north. Scotland and Wales also have their own loans and grants for eligible homes.
Is there a solar panel grant in the UK?
There is no blanket cash grant, but ECO4 (extended until December 2026), the Warm Homes Plan, Nest in Wales and Warmer Homes Scotland help eligible households. Home Energy Scotland stopped funding standard solar panels in June 2024. Every residential install also gets 0% VAT, worth £1,200–£1,600 on a 4 kWp system.
What is the cheapest way to get solar panels?
Get at least three quotes from MCS-certified installers, because prices for the same system can vary by 15% to 25%. Fit the battery at the same time as the panels if you want one, since one install day and one set of scaffolding is cheaper than two. Autumn and winter bookings are often easier to negotiate than spring.
Are solar panels cheaper now than 5 years ago?
Yes. Prices are down roughly 30% to 40% over five years, helped by manufacturing scale, the shift to N-type TOPCon panels and the 0% VAT that arrived in April 2022.
Keep digging into the numbers
Price is only one part of the picture. The guides below dig into payback, grants, batteries and tariffs, which is where most of the rest of your return is won or lost.
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Sources
- MCS, Find a Certified Installer: mcscertified.com
- Ofgem, Smart Export Guarantee (SEG): ofgem.gov.uk
- Ofgem, Energy price cap: ofgem.gov.uk
- HMRC, VAT on Solar Panels: gov.uk
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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