Solar Panels in Gosport, Hampshire

A 3-4kWp system in Gosport 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 Gosport's solar yield of 990 kWh/kWp, a 4kWp system generates approximately 3,960 kWh/year, paying for itself in 6-8 years through electricity savings of £1109+/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.

Get at least 3 quotes from MCS-certified installers to compare pricing, equipment brands, and warranty terms. Check each company is registered with MCS at mcscertified.com — this certification is required for Smart Export Guarantee eligibility. Look for 25-year panel performance warranties and 10-15-year inverter warranties as a minimum. Ensure your installer includes the DNO notification (G98/G99 application) and handles all paperwork. Remember that 0% VAT applies automatically to residential installations, so you should not be charged any VAT on the total cost.

Shading from trees, chimneys, or nearby buildings can reduce output significantly — even partial shading on one panel can affect the whole string in older systems. Modern systems use power optimisers or microinverters so that shading on one panel does not drag down the performance of other panels, typically recovering 20-25% of otherwise lost generation. Your MCS-certified installer will assess shading patterns throughout the year during the site survey using specialist tools. If shading is unavoidable, optimisers add approximately £50-£80 per panel but are well worth the investment for maintaining overall system performance.

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 3,960 kWh for a 4kWp system in Gosport 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.

Most homes in Gosport benefit from a 3-6 kWp system. A 4kWp system (10 panels at ~400W each) generates 3,960 kWh/yr at Gosport's yield of 990 kWh/kWp, covering 104% 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.

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.

Solar PV panels generate electricity from sunlight using photovoltaic cells, while solar thermal panels heat water directly using the sun's warmth. For most UK homes, solar PV is the better investment: it is more versatile (powering all electrical appliances), benefits from 0% VAT, and you can sell excess electricity via the Smart Export Guarantee at 4-6p/kWh. Solar thermal only heats water and does not generate electricity or qualify for SEG income. Solar PV panels also last longer (25-30 years versus 15-20 for solar thermal) and have lower maintenance requirements.