Solar Panel Costs UK 2026: Prices, Savings & Calculator

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in 2026?

The single biggest factor in your total cost is system size, measured in kilowatts peak (kWp). Pick a size and battery option below for an instant estimate. All figures include panels, inverter, mounting, scaffolding, labour and MCS certification at 0% VAT. For help working out what you need, see our guide to how many solar panels you need.

Generation figures assume a south-facing roof with minimal shading in central England. South-west homes generate ~10% more; Scotland ~10–15% less. East or west-facing roofs generate about 15% less than south-facing.

How prices have changed: Solar panels have dropped 90% in cost since 2010. Even in the last two years, average installed prices fell 17% (from ~£7,200 to ~£6,000 for a 4 kW system). The trend is still downward, but the savings from installing now (years of free electricity) far outweigh waiting for another small price drop.

What's Included in the Price?

A proper solar quote should include all of the following. If a quote seems unusually cheap, check what's been left out:

• Solar panels: £2,000 – £3,500 for a 4 kW system (40–50% of total). Mid-range brands like Longi or Canadian Solar. Premium brands like SunPower Maxeon cost more but offer higher efficiency. See our best solar panels guide.
• Inverter: £500 – £1,200 for a string inverter. Microinverters (Enphase) or optimisers (SolarEdge) add £500 – £1,500 but perform better with partial shading.
• Mounting and racking: £300 – £600 for standard tiled roofs. Flat roofs, slate, or in-roof systems cost more.
• Scaffolding: £400 – £800. Usually included in the quote, so confirm this.
• Labour: £800 – £1,500 for a standard 1–2 day installation. Higher in London and the South East.
• MCS certification: Included by reputable installers. Essential for SEG payments, so never skip this.
• Electrical work: £200 – £500 for connecting to your consumer unit. Older properties may need more.

What Drives Price Differences?

Prices can vary 20–30% between installers for the same job. The main reasons:

• Panel brand: Budget panels (Trina, JA Solar) vs premium (SunPower, REC). The difference is £500 – £1,500 on a 4 kW system, but premium panels have better warranties and lower degradation.
• Inverter choice: String inverter vs microinverters. £500 – £1,500 difference. Microinverters are worth it if you have shading.
• Your location: London and the South East are 15–25% more expensive than the North or Wales for labour.
• Roof complexity: Standard pitched tile roof is cheapest. Flat roofs, slate, multiple roof faces, or dormer windows all add cost.
• Installer size: National companies with big marketing budgets charge more than local MCS-certified installers. Both can be good, so check reviews regardless.

0% VAT: The Hidden Saving

Since April 2022, solar panel installations have been charged at 0% VAT instead of the standard 20%. This was made permanent in 2024. On a £7,000 system, that's a saving of £1,400 compared to the old rate, already included in every price on this page.

The 0% rate applies to panels, batteries, inverters, and associated installation work. It does not apply to purely electrical work billed separately, so watch for installers who split quotes, as the "electrical upgrade" portion may still attract 20% VAT.

Solar Panels With Battery: Is It Worth the Extra?

Without a battery, you'll only use about 45% of the electricity your panels generate. The rest gets exported to the grid for a modest SEG payment. A battery stores surplus for evening use, pushing self-consumption to 70–85%.

The 5 kWh battery is the sweet spot for most homes, as it captures most of the surplus without the diminishing returns of the larger battery. A 10 kWh battery makes more sense if you have a heat pump, EV charger, or particularly high evening usage. For a full analysis, see our solar battery storage guide.

Smart Export Guarantee: Get Paid for Surplus

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) requires energy suppliers to pay you for electricity you export to the grid. Rates vary by supplier and change frequently. Here are the best rates as of early 2026:

The difference matters: Octopus pays roughly 4x what EDF does. For a 4 kW system exporting 1,800 kWh/year, that's the difference between £55/year (EDF) and £216/year (Octopus Outgoing). Pick your export tariff carefully. It's free to switch and can add hundreds to your annual return.

Worked Example: 25-Year Return

Here's the full maths for the most common setup: a 4 kW system on a 3-bed semi in the Midlands, no battery:

With a heat pump or EV charger boosting self-consumption to 70%, annual benefit rises to ~£710, payback drops to ~8.5 years, and 25-year profit lands around £11,000. Use our solar ROI calculator to model your specific scenario.

Maintenance and Ongoing Costs

Solar panels are close to maintenance-free, but they're not zero-maintenance. Here's what to budget:

• Panel cleaning: £100–£150 every 1–2 years (professional), or £34 one-off for a DIY cleaning kit. Panels lose 5–15% output when dirty. If your roof is steep and gets plenty of rain, you may only need annual cleaning.
• Inverter replacement: String inverters last 10–15 years. Budget £500 – £1,200 for a replacement around year 12. Microinverters (Enphase) typically last 20+ years and are warranted for 25, so you may never need to replace them.
• Bird proofing: £95 DIY mesh kit or £200–£400 professional install. Worth doing proactively; see our solar panel cleaning guide for the full pigeon-proofing section.
• Insurance: Most home insurance policies cover solar panels automatically. Check your policy. If they're not covered, adding them typically costs £20 – £40/year extra.
• Monitoring: Most modern inverters include free app-based monitoring. If yours doesn't, standalone monitors cost £50 – £150 one-off.

Total ongoing costs are roughly £100 – £200/year averaged over the system's life, a fraction of the annual savings.

Does Solar Increase Your Property Value?

Yes. Research from the estate agency sector suggests solar panels add 4–6% to a property's value, roughly £10,000 – £20,000 on an average UK home. A study by Rightmove found that buyers are willing to pay more for homes with lower energy bills, and an EPC improvement from D to B (which solar often achieves) makes a measurable difference.

The caveat: panels need to be well-installed and in good condition. A poorly installed system with no MCS certification can actually deter buyers. Make sure you keep all warranty documents and MCS certificates, as they transfer to the new owner.

Questions to Ask Your Installer

Before signing a contract, get clear answers to these:

• Are you MCS-certified? Can I see your certificate number? (Non-negotiable: you need this for SEG.)
• What panels and inverter are you proposing, and what are the product and performance warranties?
• Does the quote include everything? Scaffolding, electrical connection, building notification, MCS registration?
• What annual generation do you estimate for my specific roof, and what assumptions are you using?
• Do you carry public liability insurance? (Ask for proof.)
• What monitoring system is included? Can I see real-time generation on an app?
• What happens if something goes wrong? What's your warranty process and typical response time?

For more on available financial support, see our solar panel grants guide. Once installed, see our cleaning and maintenance guide and solar accessories guide for bird proofing, cleaning kits, and monitoring.