Solar Panels for Sheds, Garages & Outbuildings
Whether you want to power a garden shed off-grid or install a full system on your garage roof, here's everything you need to know about solar panels for outbuildings in 2026.
Quick Answer
Yes, you can put solar panels on a shed or garage. There are two main approaches: a small off-grid system for shed lighting and tools (£200–£800), or a grid-tied system on a garage roof that powers your house and earns SEG payments (£3,000–£8,000). Most installations count as permitted development, so no planning permission is needed.
Can you put solar panels on a shed or garage?
Yes. Solar panels work on any structure with a suitable roof, not just your house. There are two main approaches:
Small Off-Grid System
Ideal for garden sheds and outbuildings without a mains connection. Powers LED lights, phone charging, and small tools. Completely independent from the grid — uses a 12V battery and charge controller. DIY-friendly.
Grid-Tied Garage System
A full solar PV system on your garage roof, wired back to your home's consumer unit. Works exactly like panels on your house — offsets your electricity bill and earns Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments. Requires an MCS-certified installer.
Which approach is right for you depends on the size of the building, whether it has a grid connection, and what you want to power.
Shed solar vs garage solar
The key difference is scale and grid connection. Here's how the three main options compare:
| Feature | Garden Shed | Garage Roof | Outbuilding / Workshop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Setup | Off-grid | Grid-tied (like a house system) | Either — depends on grid connection |
| System Size | 100–500W | 1–4kW | 200W–4kW |
| Powers | Lights, tools, phone charging | Your whole house (offsets usage) | Workshop tools, lighting, or house |
| Typical Cost | £200–£800 | £3,000–£8,000 | £500–£8,000 |
| DIY Possible? | Yes | No — needs MCS installer | Off-grid: yes. Grid-tied: no |
| SEG Eligible? | No | Yes | Only if grid-tied with MCS |
If your garage is attached to your house or has a mains supply, a grid-tied system is usually the better investment. For a standalone shed at the bottom of the garden, off-grid is simpler and cheaper.
Off-grid shed solar setup
An off-grid shed solar system is simple and DIY-friendly. Here are the components you need:
Solar Panel(s)
One or two panels, typically 100–300W each. Mounted on the shed roof or a ground frame nearby. 12V or 24V panels for direct battery charging.
Charge Controller
Regulates charging to prevent battery damage. PWM controllers cost £15–£30. MPPT controllers (£50–£120) are more efficient, especially in low light.
12V Battery
Stores energy for use when the sun is not shining. A 100Ah leisure battery (£80–£150) or lithium LiFePO4 battery (£150–£300) provides enough for lights and charging.
Inverter (Optional)
Converts 12V DC to 240V AC for standard plug sockets. A 300–1,000W inverter (£30–£100) lets you run mains appliances. Not needed if you only use 12V LED lights and USB charging.
Typical off-grid shed kit
A common starter setup is a 200W panel + 20A MPPT charge controller + 100Ah LiFePO4 battery + 600W inverter. Total cost: around £400–£600. This powers LED lighting, a radio, phone/laptop charging, and light power tool use. Pre-made kits are available from Amazon, eBay, and specialist solar retailers.
Grid-tied garage roof solar
A grid-tied system on your garage roof works identically to panels on your house. The electricity generated flows to your home's consumer unit, offsetting your usage and earning SEG payments for any surplus exported to the grid.
How It Works
- Panels on garage roof generate DC electricity
- Inverter converts DC to AC (240V mains)
- Cable runs from garage to your home's consumer unit
- Electricity offsets your household usage first
- Surplus is exported to the grid (earns SEG)
Requirements
- MCS-certified installer (required for SEG)
- DNO notification (your installer handles this)
- Structurally sound garage roof
- Cable route from garage to house consumer unit
- Suitable roof orientation (south, east, or west facing)
If your garage is detached, the main additional cost is trenching a cable from the garage to your house. This typically adds £300–£600 depending on the distance. Your installer will assess this during the site survey.
How many panels fit on a shed or garage?
The number of panels depends on roof area. Standard residential panels are approximately 1.7m × 1.1m (1.87m²). Here are typical capacities:
| Building | Typical Roof Area | Panels | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small shed (6×4ft) | ~2m² | 1–2 small panels | 100–200W |
| Large shed (8×6ft) | ~4.5m² | 2–4 panels | 200–400W |
| Single garage | ~15m² | 4–6 panels | 1–1.5kW |
| Double garage | ~30m² | 8–12 panels | 2–3kW |
For sheds, smaller 12V panels (e.g. 100W, 120W) are more practical than full-size residential panels. For garages, standard 440W residential panels are used, the same as on a house roof.
Planning permission for shed and garage solar panels
Solar panels on sheds, garages, and outbuildings are usually permitted development in England and Wales, meaning no planning permission is required. The same rules apply as for panels on your house roof.
Permitted Development Rules
- Panels must not protrude more than 200mm from the roof surface
- Panels must not be higher than the highest part of the roof (excluding the chimney)
- Panels should not face a highway if on a wall
- Must be removed when no longer needed for energy generation
When You DO Need Permission
- Listed buildings (consent needed for any external changes)
- Conservation areas (front-facing panels may need approval)
- World Heritage Sites or AONBs (additional restrictions)
- If the outbuilding itself needed planning permission
If in doubt, check with your local planning authority. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, the rules are similar but not identical — check your local permitted development rights.
Cost breakdown: shed and garage solar panels
Costs vary significantly depending on whether you choose an off-grid or grid-tied setup. Here are typical prices for 2026:
| Setup | What You Get | Typical Cost | DIY? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic shed kit (100W) | 1 panel, PWM controller, 50Ah battery | £150–£250 | Yes |
| Mid shed kit (200–300W) | 1–2 panels, MPPT controller, 100Ah LiFePO4, inverter | £400–£800 | Yes |
| Single garage grid-tied (1–1.5kW) | 4–6 panels, microinverters, wiring to house | £3,000–£4,500 | No |
| Double garage grid-tied (2–3kW) | 8–12 panels, string inverter, wiring to house | £4,500–£8,000 | No |
| Detached garage cable trench | Underground armoured cable run to house | £300–£600 (additional) | No |
Grid-tied systems benefit from 0% VAT on solar panel installations in the UK. Off-grid kits purchased separately may attract standard 20% VAT.
What can you power with shed solar panels?
How much you can run depends on your panel size, battery capacity, and whether you have an inverter. Here's a guide to common shed and garage loads:
| Appliance | Wattage | Minimum System | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED shed lights | 5–15W | 100W panel | 12V LED strips work directly from battery |
| Phone charging | 10–20W | 100W panel | USB charger from 12V battery |
| Laptop | 30–65W | 200W panel | Needs inverter or 12V car charger |
| Radio / Bluetooth speaker | 5–20W | 100W panel | 12V or USB powered options available |
| Drill (cordless charger) | 50–100W | 200W panel | Charge tool batteries via inverter |
| Circular saw | 1,200–1,500W | Grid-tied or large off-grid | Needs 2,000W+ inverter and large battery bank |
| Mini fridge | 50–80W (continuous) | 300W panel + large battery | Runs 24/7 — needs significant storage |
| Electric heater | 1,000–2,000W | Grid-tied only | Too power-hungry for off-grid |
For off-grid systems, focus on low-wattage 12V appliances where possible. This avoids inverter losses and lets you get more from a smaller system. For heavy loads like power tools and heating, a grid-tied system is the practical choice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shed & Garage Solar Panels
Can I put solar panels on my shed without planning permission?
In most cases, yes. Solar panels on sheds, garages, and outbuildings are classed as permitted development, the same as panels on your house roof. The main exceptions are if your property is a listed building, in a conservation area, or if the panels would protrude more than 200mm from the roof surface.
How much does a solar panel for a shed cost?
A basic off-grid shed solar kit costs £200–£800 in 2026. This includes a panel, charge controller, 12V battery, and wiring. A grid-tied garage roof system costs £3,000–£8,000, similar to a small house installation.
Can I run power tools from shed solar panels?
Yes, but you will need a suitably sized inverter and battery. A circular saw draws around 1,200–1,500W, so you need at least a 2,000W inverter and enough stored energy. For heavy tool use, a grid-tied system or a larger off-grid setup with multiple batteries is more practical.
Do I need an MCS-certified installer for shed solar panels?
Only if you want a grid-tied system that feeds back to the grid and qualifies for the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Small off-grid systems for a shed can be installed as a DIY project. Grid-tied systems must be installed by an MCS-certified electrician and notified to your DNO.
Can garage solar panels power my house?
Yes. A grid-tied system on your garage roof connects to your home’s consumer unit, just like panels on your house roof. The electricity generated offsets your household usage, and any surplus is exported to the grid under the SEG.
How many solar panels can I fit on a single garage?
A typical single garage roof (around 15m²) fits 4–6 standard panels, giving you roughly 1–1.5kW of capacity. A double garage fits 8–12 panels for 2–3kW. The exact number depends on roof orientation, pitch, and any obstructions.
Is off-grid shed solar worth it?
For lighting, phone charging, and light tool use, an off-grid shed setup pays for itself quickly by avoiding the cost of running mains power to an outbuilding. A basic 300W system at around £400 can power LED lights and charge devices indefinitely with virtually no running costs.
Do shed solar panels work in winter?
Yes, though output drops significantly. In winter, a UK solar panel produces roughly 10–20% of its peak summer output. For an off-grid shed, this means you may need a larger battery to store energy from brighter days, or accept reduced usage during the darkest months.
Related Guides
Off-Grid Solar
Off-grid solar systems: costs, sizing, components, and setup guide.
Portable Solar Panels
Portable solar for camping, campervans, and caravans: types, sizing, and top picks.
Battery Storage
Solar battery costs, sizing, popular models, and payback analysis.
Solar Panel Costs
Full cost breakdown and payback periods.
Sources
- Planning Portal — Solar Panels Permitted Development — planningportal.co.uk
- Energy Saving Trust — Solar Panels — energysavingtrust.org.uk
- Ofgem — Smart Export Guarantee — ofgem.gov.uk
- MCS — Microgeneration Certification Scheme — mcscertified.com
- GOV.UK — VAT on Solar Panels — gov.uk
Last updated: March 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the UK solar energy market since 2023. He fact-checks all content against official MCS and Ofgem data and maintains relationships with MCS-certified installers across the UK.
Get Quotes for Garage & Outbuilding Solar
Get a free, no-obligation quote from MCS-certified solar panel installers in your area.