Solar Panels in Barnet, Greater London
Barnet is one of the larger towns in Greater London with a population of 389,300. With a solar yield of 957 kWh/kWp and 1,570+ sunshine hours per year, the numbers stack up well for homeowners here. A typical 4kWp system generates approximately 3,828 kWh annually, covering 101% of average household electricity use. With 0% VAT on installation, the typical cost is £6,600 to £8,500 for a 4kWp system, with payback in 11 to 13 years.
Barnet solar at a glance
Barnet in Numbers
| Area Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | 389,300 (Census 2021) |
| Elevation | 85 metres |
| Postcode Area | EN5 |
| Location | Inland |
| Coordinates | 51.6530°N, 0.1990°W |
Population and housing data: ONS Census 2021.
Barnet council schemes, planning and neighbourhoods
Barnet has no solar scheme of its own, so homeowners use the GLA's Warm Homes: Local Grant, and in Hampstead Garden Suburb an Article 4 direction means solar panels need planning permission. Here is what applies before you get quotes.
Council scheme
Warm Homes: Local Grant (GLA)
The GLA runs this government grant for 31 London councils, with free or subsidised upgrades that can include solar panels and batteries where an assessor finds them suitable. It is for privately owned or rented homes rated EPC D to G, with household savings under £25,000 and usually a household income of £36,000 or less, an eligible postcode or certain benefits. Applications queue within each borough on a first come, first served basis, and demand is high.
London Warm Homes: Local GrantPlanning in Barnet
10 conservation areas with Article 4
Barnet says 10 of its conservation areas are covered by Article 4 directions. In Hampstead Garden Suburb, the direction removes permitted development rights for installing solar PV or solar thermal panels on houses and flats, stand-alone solar in gardens and any other roof alterations, so these need planning permission there.
Solar panels in Barnet neighbourhoods
Towns just outside Barnet
Compare reviewed installers in Barnet
Google and Trustpilot ratings for MCS-certified firms working across Barnet.
Solar panels across London
Barnet is part of London. See London-wide costs, council schemes and planning rules, plus every London borough we cover.
Barnet and Renewable Energy
Barnet is a large town in Greater London with a population of 389,300 (ONS Census 2021). The postcode area for Barnet is EN5. You'll need your full postcode when getting quotes from MCS-certified installers.
How much do solar panels cost in Barnet?
What a typical home in Barnet needs, what it costs fitted with 0% VAT, and what it generates at Barnet's solar yield of 957 kWh per kWp:
1–2 bed
3 kWp, 7 panels
- Output in Barnet
- 2,871 kWh/yr
- Typical cost
- £5,700–£7,000
- Payback
- 13–15 years
3 bed
4 kWp, 10 panels
- Output in Barnet
- 3,828 kWh/yr
- Typical cost
- £6,600–£8,500
- Payback
- 11–13 years
4 bed
5 kWp, 12 panels
- Output in Barnet
- 4,785 kWh/yr
- Typical cost
- £8,300–£10,200
- Payback
- 11–13 years
5+ bed / EV
7 kWp, 16 panels
- Output in Barnet
- 6,699 kWh/yr
- Typical cost
- £11,000–£13,000
- Payback
- 9–11 years
Typical yearly use: 1–2 bed about 1,800 kWh, 3 bed about 2,700 kWh, 4 bed about 4,100 kWh, 5+ bed / EV 4,100 kWh or more. Payback assumes an average export rate; the best tariffs shorten it.
Solar Installers in Greater London
MCS-certified solar panel installers covering Greater London.
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Browse MCS-certified installers covering Barnet and all of Greater London.
Power Cuts in Greater London Today
Live power cut map for Barnet and the rest of Greater London, with recent power cuts and how long they usually last.
Solar panels in Barnet: common questions
How much do solar panels cost in Barnet?
A typical 10-panel (4 kWp) system costs £6,600–£8,500 fitted in Barnet, with 0% VAT. Install prices vary little across the UK, but output does: in Barnet that system generates about 3,828 kWh a year and saves around £681, paying back in roughly 11–13 years.
Is there a solar panel grant or council scheme in Barnet?
Warm Homes: Local Grant (GLA): The GLA runs this government grant for 31 London councils, with free or subsidised upgrades that can include solar panels and batteries where an assessor finds them suitable. It is for privately owned or rented homes rated EPC D to G, with household savings under £25,000 and usually a household income of £36,000 or less, an eligible postcode or certain benefits. Applications queue within each borough on a first come, first served basis, and demand is high.
Do I need planning permission for solar panels in Barnet?
Usually not for an ordinary house. Barnet says 10 of its conservation areas are covered by Article 4 directions. In Hampstead Garden Suburb, the direction removes permitted development rights for installing solar PV or solar thermal panels on houses and flats, stand-alone solar in gardens and any other roof alterations, so these need planning permission there.
How do I find a good solar installer in Barnet?
Use an MCS-certified installer, so you qualify for 0% VAT and Smart Export Guarantee payments, and compare at least three quotes for the same panels, inverter and warranty. Our Barnet reviews page ranks local firms by their Google and Trustpilot ratings.
Solar Guides & Resources
Planning solar in Barnet? These guides cover the detail:
Sources
- MCS, Microgeneration Certification Scheme
- MCS, Find a Certified Installer
- Ofgem, Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
- PVGIS, EU Joint Research Centre (solar irradiance data)
- ONS, Census 2021
- Met Office, Climate Data
Last updated: November 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
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