Solar Panels in Farnborough, Hampshire

A 3-4kWp system in Farnborough typically costs £5,000-£8,000 with 0% VAT included — the zero-rate VAT alone saves around £1,000 compared to the standard 20% rate. Based on Farnborough's solar yield of 982 kWh/kWp, a 4kWp system generates approximately 3,928 kWh/year, paying for itself in 6-8 years through electricity savings of £1100+/yr and Smart Export Guarantee income of 4-6p/kWh. Adding a home battery (5-10 kWh) costs an additional £3,000-£6,000 and also benefits from 0% VAT. We recommend getting at least three quotes from MCS-certified installers to compare pricing and equipment.

South-facing roofs at a 30-40° pitch produce the most electricity (100% of potential yield). South-east and south-west roofs produce around 95% of optimal output. East or west-facing roofs still produce 80-85%, and many installers recommend splitting panels across east and west faces to spread generation throughout the day, which can improve self-consumption. North-facing roofs are generally not recommended for solar panels in the UK as they receive significantly less direct sunlight. Your MCS-certified installer will assess your roof orientation during the site survey.

Yes. With a solar yield of 982 kWh/kWp and estimated savings of £1100+ per year at current electricity rates of 28p/kWh, 0% VAT saving approximately £1,000 on installation, and export income of 4-6p/kWh through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), a solar system in Farnborough pays for itself in 6-8 years. Hampshire ranks #8 of 102 UK counties for solar yield, putting Farnborough in an excellent position for solar energy. After payback, you benefit from 17-22 years of near-free electricity as panels last 25-30 years. Total lifetime savings typically reach £15,000-£25,000 depending on your electricity usage and self-consumption rate.

A smart meter is required to sell surplus electricity back to the grid under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) and earn 4-6p/kWh for your exports. Your energy supplier will install a smart meter for free if you do not already have one — contact them before or shortly after your solar installation. You do not strictly need a smart meter for the solar panels themselves to work, but without one you cannot receive SEG payments. Your MCS-certified installer submits the G98/G99 application to your Distribution Network Operator after installation to register your system for grid export.

Solar panels stay with the property as a permanent fixture and transfer to the new owner upon sale. They add value to your home — up to 4% according to UK property research — and improve the EPC rating, making the property more attractive to energy-conscious buyers. Your installer can transfer monitoring app accounts and warranty documentation to the new owner. The Smart Export Guarantee registration also transfers with the property. With a 25-30 year lifespan, the next owner inherits many years of remaining electricity savings.

Most homes in Farnborough benefit from a 3-6 kWp system. A 4kWp system (10 panels at ~400W each) generates 3,928 kWh/yr at Farnborough's yield of 982 kWh/kWp, covering 103% of average household electricity use. The system requires approximately 18-20 m² of unshaded roof space. If you have an electric vehicle or heat pump, a larger 5-6 kWp system (12-15 panels) may be more appropriate to offset the additional demand. Your MCS-certified installer will assess your roof space, orientation, shading, and electricity consumption to recommend the optimal size during a site survey.

Yes, solar panels generate electricity all year round, including during winter months. While output is lower from November to February, Hampshire still receives usable daylight hours even in December, and panels work from diffused light on cloudy days. With 1,660 sunshine hours per year, the annual generation figure of 3,928 kWh for a 4kWp system in Farnborough already accounts for this seasonal variation. Cooler winter temperatures actually improve panel efficiency compared to hot summer days. Adding a battery allows you to store daytime generation for evening use when winter daylight hours are shorter.