Solar Panels in Croydon, Greater London
Croydon is one of the larger towns in Greater London with a population of 390,800. With a solar yield of 965 kWh/kWp and 1,570+ sunshine hours per year, the numbers stack up well for homeowners here. A typical 4kWp system generates approximately 3,860 kWh annually, covering 102% 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.
Croydon solar at a glance
Croydon in Numbers
| Area Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | 390,800 (Census 2021) |
| Elevation | 55 metres |
| Postcode Area | CR0 |
| Location | Inland |
| Coordinates | 51.3760°N, 0.0990°W |
Population and housing data: ONS Census 2021.
Croydon council schemes, planning and neighbourhoods
Croydon Council's free Healthy Homes service helps residents find grants that can include solar panels, and in the Chatsworth Road conservation area solar panels need planning permission. Here is what applies before you get quotes.
Council scheme
Croydon Healthy Homes grant help
Croydon says homeowners and private tenants may be eligible for grants for energy improvements, which can include solar panels, sometimes with batteries, and that different schemes run at different times. Its free Croydon Healthy Homes team advises on which scheme fits and helps you apply.
Croydon domestic energy advicePlanning in Croydon
Article 4 covers solar in Chatsworth Road
An Article 4 direction in force since 21 January 2016 covers the whole Chatsworth Road conservation area and removes permitted development rights for solar PV and solar thermal panels and all roof alterations on houses, so these need planning permission there. Croydon's conservation areas directory lists 20 areas, and the borough also has Local Heritage Areas.
Local advice
Croydon Healthy Homes
The council's free energy advice service for homeowners and private renters on low incomes or vulnerable to the cold, with phone advice, home visits and help applying for grants. Freephone 0800 292 2529.
Visit Croydon Healthy HomesSolar panels in Croydon neighbourhoods
Towns just outside Croydon
Compare reviewed installers in Croydon
Google and Trustpilot ratings for MCS-certified firms working across Croydon.
Solar panels across London
Croydon is part of London. See London-wide costs, council schemes and planning rules, plus every London borough we cover.
Renewable Energy Potential in Croydon
Croydon is a large town in Greater London with a population of 390,800 (ONS Census 2021). The postcode area for Croydon is CR0. You'll need your full postcode when getting quotes from MCS-certified installers.
Costs, VAT and payback in Croydon
What a typical home in Croydon needs, what it costs fitted with 0% VAT, and what it generates at Croydon's solar yield of 965 kWh per kWp:
1–2 bed
3 kWp, 7 panels
- Output in Croydon
- 2,895 kWh/yr
- Typical cost
- £5,700–£7,000
- Payback
- 13–15 years
3 bed
4 kWp, 10 panels
- Output in Croydon
- 3,860 kWh/yr
- Typical cost
- £6,600–£8,500
- Payback
- 11–13 years
4 bed
5 kWp, 12 panels
- Output in Croydon
- 4,825 kWh/yr
- Typical cost
- £8,300–£10,200
- Payback
- 11–13 years
5+ bed / EV
7 kWp, 16 panels
- Output in Croydon
- 6,755 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 Croydon and all of Greater London.
Power Cuts in Greater London Today
Live power cut map for Croydon and the rest of Greater London, with recent power cuts and how long they usually last.
Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Panels in Croydon
How much do solar panels cost in Croydon?
A typical 10-panel (4 kWp) system costs £6,600–£8,500 fitted in Croydon, with 0% VAT. Install prices vary little across the UK, but output does: in Croydon that system generates about 3,860 kWh a year and saves around £687, paying back in roughly 11–13 years.
Is there a solar panel grant or council scheme in Croydon?
Croydon Healthy Homes grant help: Croydon says homeowners and private tenants may be eligible for grants for energy improvements, which can include solar panels, sometimes with batteries, and that different schemes run at different times. Its free Croydon Healthy Homes team advises on which scheme fits and helps you apply.
Do I need planning permission for solar panels in Croydon?
Usually not for an ordinary house. An Article 4 direction in force since 21 January 2016 covers the whole Chatsworth Road conservation area and removes permitted development rights for solar PV and solar thermal panels and all roof alterations on houses, so these need planning permission there. Croydon's conservation areas directory lists 20 areas, and the borough also has Local Heritage Areas.
Where can I get solar advice in Croydon?
Croydon Healthy Homes: The council's free energy advice service for homeowners and private renters on low incomes or vulnerable to the cold, with phone advice, home visits and help applying for grants. Freephone 0800 292 2529.
How do I find a good solar installer in Croydon?
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 Croydon reviews page ranks local firms by their Google and Trustpilot ratings.
Solar Guides & Resources
Planning solar in Croydon? 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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