Solar Panels in London
London, has a solar yield of 960 kWh/kWp (ideal conditions for solar energy). A 4kWp system generates approximately 3,840 kWh annually, covering 101% of average household electricity use and saving an estimated £684+ per year. With 0% VAT on installation, a typical 4kWp system costs £6,600 to £8,500, with payback in 11 to 13 years.
London solar at a glance
London: Area and Location Data
| Area Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 25 metres |
| Postcode Area | EC2Y |
| Coordinates | 51.5156°N, 0.0920°W |
Population and housing data: ONS Census 2021.
London council schemes, planning and neighbourhoods
The GLA runs the Warm Homes: Local Grant for 31 London councils and it can fund solar panels, while the Mayor's Solar Together London group-buying scheme has finished after five rounds. Planning rules for solar are set borough by borough. Here is what applies before you get quotes, plus a guide for each borough.
Council scheme
Warm Homes: Local Grant (Warmer Homes London)
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. Solar Together London, the Mayor's group-buying scheme run by iChoosr, ran five phases from 2018, with the last registration in 2022, and has no current round.
London Warm Homes: Local GrantPlanning in London
Almost a fifth of London is conservation area
GLA research found almost one fifth of London is designated as conservation area, rising to half in some inner London boroughs, and in 2022 nine of the 33 London planning authorities had Article 4 directions specifically restricting solar PV in conservation areas. Listed buildings always need consent, so check your borough's rules below before you book an installer.
Local advice
GOV.UK energy advice line
Free tailored advice on home improvements on 0800 098 7950, which is also the Warm Homes: Local Grant application helpline. The Energy Advice London service closed on 31 May 2024.
Visit GOV.UK energy advice lineSolar panels by London borough and area
Compare reviewed installers in London
Google and Trustpilot ratings for MCS-certified firms working across London.
Solar at a Local Level in London
London is made up of 32 boroughs and the City of London, each with its own planning rules. The postcode area for London is EC2Y. You'll need your full postcode when getting quotes from MCS-certified installers.
Pricing solar panels in London
What a typical home in London needs, what it costs fitted with 0% VAT, and what it generates at London's solar yield of 960 kWh per kWp:
1–2 bed
3 kWp, 7 panels
- Output in London
- 2,880 kWh/yr
- Typical cost
- £5,700–£7,000
- Payback
- 13–15 years
3 bed
4 kWp, 10 panels
- Output in London
- 3,840 kWh/yr
- Typical cost
- £6,600–£8,500
- Payback
- 11–13 years
4 bed
5 kWp, 12 panels
- Output in London
- 4,800 kWh/yr
- Typical cost
- £8,300–£10,200
- Payback
- 11–13 years
5+ bed / EV
7 kWp, 16 panels
- Output in London
- 6,720 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.
Find Solar Installers in Greater London
Browse MCS-certified installers covering London and all of Greater London.
Power Cuts in Greater London Today
Live power cut map for London and the rest of Greater London, with recent power cuts and how long they usually last.
Solar Panel FAQs for London
How much do solar panels cost in London?
A typical 10-panel (4 kWp) system costs £6,600–£8,500 fitted in London, with 0% VAT. Install prices vary little across the UK, but output does: in London that system generates about 3,840 kWh a year and saves around £684, paying back in roughly 11–13 years.
Is there a solar panel grant or council scheme in London?
Warm Homes: Local Grant (Warmer Homes London): 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. Solar Together London, the Mayor's group-buying scheme run by iChoosr, ran five phases from 2018, with the last registration in 2022, and has no current round.
Do I need planning permission for solar panels in London?
Usually not for an ordinary house. GLA research found almost one fifth of London is designated as conservation area, rising to half in some inner London boroughs, and in 2022 nine of the 33 London planning authorities had Article 4 directions specifically restricting solar PV in conservation areas. Listed buildings always need consent, so check your borough's rules below before you book an installer.
Where can I get solar advice in London?
GOV.UK energy advice line: Free tailored advice on home improvements on 0800 098 7950, which is also the Warm Homes: Local Grant application helpline. The Energy Advice London service closed on 31 May 2024.
How do I find a good solar installer in London?
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 London reviews page ranks local firms by their Google and Trustpilot ratings.
Solar Guides & Resources
Useful reading before you get quotes in London:
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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