Solar Panels in Richmond, Greater London
Richmond is one of the larger towns in Greater London with a population of 198,019. With a solar yield of 960 kWh/kWp and 1,570+ sunshine hours per year, the numbers stack up well for homeowners here. A typical 4kWp system generates approximately 3,840 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.
Richmond solar at a glance
Richmond at a Glance
| Area Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | 198,019 (Census 2021) |
| Elevation | 10 metres |
| Postcode Area | TW9 |
| Location | Inland |
| Coordinates | 51.4610°N, 0.3030°W |
Population and housing data: ONS Census 2021.
Richmond council schemes, planning and neighbourhoods
Richmond Council has negotiated a £600 discount on solar panels and batteries for every resident, and the borough has 85 conservation areas, including Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, a World Heritage Site. Here is what applies before you get quotes.
Council scheme
£600 solar discount via MakeMyHouseGreen
Richmond Council has partnered with MakeMyHouseGreen and negotiated an automatic £600 discount on solar panels and batteries for all residents, with no income test. The council's Coldbusters grant covers heating and insulation rather than solar.
Richmond solar discountPlanning in Richmond
85 conservation areas
There are 85 conservation areas in Richmond upon Thames, from Hampton and Richmond town centre to Richmond Park and Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, a World Heritage Site. Many streets also have Article 4(2) directions, and if your home is covered you must apply for planning permission for the changes listed.
Local advice
CREW Energy
A free energy advice charity covering Richmond, with home visits, energy cafes and phone advice on 0800 086 2706.
Visit CREW EnergySolar panels in Richmond neighbourhoods
Towns just outside Richmond
Compare reviewed installers in Richmond
Google and Trustpilot ratings for MCS-certified firms working across Richmond.
Solar panels across London
Richmond is part of London. See London-wide costs, council schemes and planning rules, plus every London borough we cover.
Richmond's Solar Energy Picture
Richmond is a large town in Greater London with a population of 198,019 (ONS Census 2021). The postcode area for Richmond is TW9. You'll need your full postcode when getting quotes from MCS-certified installers.
What savings can Richmond homeowners expect?
What a typical home in Richmond needs, what it costs fitted with 0% VAT, and what it generates at Richmond's solar yield of 960 kWh per kWp:
1–2 bed
3 kWp, 7 panels
- Output in Richmond
- 2,880 kWh/yr
- Typical cost
- £5,700–£7,000
- Payback
- 13–15 years
3 bed
4 kWp, 10 panels
- Output in Richmond
- 3,840 kWh/yr
- Typical cost
- £6,600–£8,500
- Payback
- 11–13 years
4 bed
5 kWp, 12 panels
- Output in Richmond
- 4,800 kWh/yr
- Typical cost
- £8,300–£10,200
- Payback
- 11–13 years
5+ bed / EV
7 kWp, 16 panels
- Output in Richmond
- 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 Richmond and all of Greater London.
Power Cuts in Greater London Today
Live power cut map for Richmond and the rest of Greater London, with recent power cuts and how long they usually last.
Common Questions About Going Solar in Richmond
How much do solar panels cost in Richmond?
A typical 10-panel (4 kWp) system costs £6,600–£8,500 fitted in Richmond, with 0% VAT. Install prices vary little across the UK, but output does: in Richmond 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 Richmond?
£600 solar discount via MakeMyHouseGreen: Richmond Council has partnered with MakeMyHouseGreen and negotiated an automatic £600 discount on solar panels and batteries for all residents, with no income test. The council's Coldbusters grant covers heating and insulation rather than solar.
Do I need planning permission for solar panels in Richmond?
Usually not for an ordinary house. There are 85 conservation areas in Richmond upon Thames, from Hampton and Richmond town centre to Richmond Park and Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, a World Heritage Site. Many streets also have Article 4(2) directions, and if your home is covered you must apply for planning permission for the changes listed.
Where can I get solar advice in Richmond?
CREW Energy: A free energy advice charity covering Richmond, with home visits, energy cafes and phone advice on 0800 086 2706.
How do I find a good solar installer in Richmond?
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 Richmond reviews page ranks local firms by their Google and Trustpilot ratings.
Solar Guides & Resources
Useful reading before you get quotes in Richmond:
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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