Solar Panels in Nottingham
Nottingham is a city in the East Midlands with a population of 323,600. With a solar yield of 910 kWh/kWp and 1,420+ sunshine hours per year, the numbers stack up well for homeowners here. A typical 4kWp system generates approximately 3,640 kWh annually, covering 96% 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.
Nottingham solar at a glance
The Picture in Nottingham
| Area Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | 323,600 (Census 2021) |
| Elevation | 50 metres |
| Postcode Area | NG1 |
| Location | Inland |
| Coordinates | 52.9548°N, 1.1581°W |
Population and housing data: ONS Census 2021.
Nottingham council schemes, planning and neighbourhoods
Nottingham aims to be the first carbon neutral city in the UK by 2028, and the council's Warm Homes Local Grant has included solar panels and batteries. Here is what is available and where planning gets stricter.
Council scheme
Warm Homes Local Grant
Nottingham City Council's grant lists solar PV panels and batteries among its measures, for homes rated EPC D to G with a household income under £36,000 or in an eligible postcode. Nottingham Energy Partnership processes applications, so check with them whether funding is still available.
Nottingham greener housing grantsPlanning in Nottingham
33 conservation areas
Nottingham has 33 conservation areas. Article 4 directions cover some homes in Canning Circus, New Lenton, Sneinton, Strelley Village and Waterloo Promenade, which can bring panels on those homes under planning control.
Local advice
Nottingham Energy Partnership
Local organisation running home energy efficiency and climate projects, and processing Warm Homes Local Grant applications for the city.
Visit Nottingham Energy PartnershipTowns just outside Nottingham
Compare reviewed installers in Nottingham
Google and Trustpilot ratings for MCS-certified firms working across Nottingham.
Solar at a Local Level in Nottingham
Nottingham is a city in the East Midlands with a population of 323,600 (ONS Census 2021). The postcode area for Nottingham is NG1. You'll need your full postcode when getting quotes from MCS-certified installers.
Pricing solar panels in Nottingham
What a typical home in Nottingham needs, what it costs fitted with 0% VAT, and what it generates at Nottingham's solar yield of 910 kWh per kWp:
1–2 bed
3 kWp, 7 panels
- Output in Nottingham
- 2,730 kWh/yr
- Typical cost
- £5,700–£7,000
- Payback
- 13–15 years
3 bed
4 kWp, 10 panels
- Output in Nottingham
- 3,640 kWh/yr
- Typical cost
- £6,600–£8,500
- Payback
- 11–13 years
4 bed
5 kWp, 12 panels
- Output in Nottingham
- 4,550 kWh/yr
- Typical cost
- £8,300–£10,200
- Payback
- 11–13 years
5+ bed / EV
7 kWp, 16 panels
- Output in Nottingham
- 6,370 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 Nottinghamshire
MCS-certified solar panel installers covering Nottinghamshire.
Find Solar Installers in Nottinghamshire
Browse MCS-certified installers covering Nottingham and all of Nottinghamshire.
Power Cuts in Nottinghamshire Today
Live power cut map for Nottingham and the rest of Nottinghamshire, with recent power cuts and how long they usually last.
Solar Panel FAQs for Nottingham
How much do solar panels cost in Nottingham?
A typical 10-panel (4 kWp) system costs £6,600–£8,500 fitted in Nottingham, with 0% VAT. Install prices vary little across the UK, but output does: in Nottingham that system generates about 3,640 kWh a year and saves around £648, paying back in roughly 11–13 years.
Is there a solar panel grant or council scheme in Nottingham?
Warm Homes Local Grant: Nottingham City Council's grant lists solar PV panels and batteries among its measures, for homes rated EPC D to G with a household income under £36,000 or in an eligible postcode. Nottingham Energy Partnership processes applications, so check with them whether funding is still available.
Do I need planning permission for solar panels in Nottingham?
Usually not for an ordinary house. Nottingham has 33 conservation areas. Article 4 directions cover some homes in Canning Circus, New Lenton, Sneinton, Strelley Village and Waterloo Promenade, which can bring panels on those homes under planning control.
Where can I get solar advice in Nottingham?
Nottingham Energy Partnership: Local organisation running home energy efficiency and climate projects, and processing Warm Homes Local Grant applications for the city.
How do I find a good solar installer in Nottingham?
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 Nottingham reviews page ranks local firms by their Google and Trustpilot ratings.
Solar Guides & Resources
More on solar panels for Nottingham homeowners:
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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