How much do solar panels cost in the UK?

Solar panels are a big one-off cost, so it helps to know what is normal before you ask for quotes. This guide uses government install data, shows what pushes a price up or down, and explains how savings really work. We are an independent guide, not an installer, so we do not sell systems or set prices.

What a home system costs

The best public price data comes from DESNZ, the government energy department. It analyses installs registered with MCS, the UK quality mark for small-scale renewables. DESNZ’s 2025/26 cost data covers April 2025 to March 2026. It was released on 28 May 2026.

For 0-4 kW systems, the median cost was £1,780.25 per kW of declared net capacity. That is the output figure the installer registers for the system. The data includes VAT where it applied, while it leaves out batteries.

A quick sum shows what that means. At that median, a 4 kW system comes to roughly £7,100. That is our arithmetic, not a DESNZ headline price, and real homes land well above or below it.

The same data on a total installed capacity basis gives a lower median of £1,595.06 per kW. This is because total capacity is usually higher than declared net capacity. Check which basis any source uses before you compare numbers.

For a second view, Which? says a typical 4.5kWp system costs around £7,600. It bases that on Energy Saving Trust estimates. We could not open the Energy Saving Trust pages ourselves, so we do not quote its figures directly.

The trend is down. DESNZ reports that the median for 0-4 kW installs fell 9% after inflation compared with 2024/25. The year before, the median was £1,884.24 per kW. A record 265,682 installs went into the 2025/26 analysis.

What changes the price

Two homes with the same size of system can get very different quotes, because every roof and every house is different. These are the main reasons.

• System size. More panels cost more in total. Ask each installer for the price per kW, because a small system still carries fixed costs such as scaffolding and grid paperwork.
• Roof type and access. A simple pitched roof with easy access is cheaper to fit than a complex or steep one. Slate, flat roofs and several roof faces can add labour.
• Scaffolding. Most installs need it for safety. A tall or awkward house costs more to scaffold.
• Panel and inverter choice. Higher-grade panels and inverters cost more. Some come with longer warranties.
• Battery. Adding storage raises the bill a lot, and the DESNZ figures above leave it out. Our guide on whether solar batteries are worth it and our solar battery storage service page cover when it can make sense.
• Electrical work. An old consumer unit, a long cable run or a second phase can add cost. Check what the quote includes.
• Roof checks. The MCS solar standard says the installer must make sure a competent person has checked that your roof can take the extra load. Ask whether this is in the price.

VAT, running costs and what you keep paying

HMRC applies a 0% VAT rate to installing solar panels and batteries from 1 May 2023 to 31 March 2027. From 1 April 2027 the rate reverts to 5% under current rules. Our guide to VAT on solar panels explains what qualifies.

Running costs are low, because panels have no moving parts. You may pay for occasional cleaning, a safety check, and eventually a new inverter. Ask whether monitoring is included.

However, ask each installer for the warranty terms in writing. Panels, inverters and workmanship often have different cover periods. A longer warranty only helps if the company is still trading.

How savings work

Solar saves you money in two ways. First, every unit you make and use at home is a unit you do not buy. Second, units you send to the grid can earn payments under the Smart Export Guarantee, or SEG.

Take the first part. Since prices change, use a current figure: Ofgem’s price cap for October to December 2026 averages 26.32p per kWh for electricity. So 1,000 kWh used at home avoids about £263 at that rate. Your own tariff will differ, and the cap is a regional average.

Output depends on where you live. For example, using the PVGIS tool, a south-facing roof at 35 degrees in London gives about 1,020 kWh per kWp a year. Read more in our page on solar panels in London. Further north, solar panels in Sheffield give a little less.

Timing matters most. Panels make power in the day, yet many homes use more in the evening. Running appliances in daylight, or adding a battery, raises the share you use yourself.

The second part is export. Under the Smart Export Guarantee, suppliers must offer a tariff, but they set the terms. Ofgem says rates must always be above zero.

You must show your installation and installer are MCS certified to claim. Our Smart Export Guarantee explainer shows how to compare tariffs.

What about the headline savings you read about? GOV.UK says a typical existing UK home could save around £530 a year from rooftop solar. That is a government estimate, and the page does not show its assumptions. Treat it as a ballpark, not a promise.

No guaranteed payback

No honest source can promise your payback time. It depends on your price, your daytime use and your export tariff. Energy prices matter too. A system that suits a family at home all day may suit a couple out at work less.

So be wary of any quote that states a firm payback period or a fixed yearly saving. A good installer shows its working, because the numbers rest on your real bills, your roof and a stated yield.

How to compare quotes like for like

Get at least two or three written quotes. Then check that each one covers the same things.

• System size in kWp, the number and make of panels, and the inverter.
• Expected yearly output, with the roof direction, angle and shading it assumed.
• What is included: scaffolding, roof checks, electrical work, grid notification and the MCS certificate.
• Battery details, if any, with usable capacity in kWh and power in kW.
• VAT treatment, shown clearly as 0% while the relief runs.
• Warranties for panels, inverter, battery and workmanship, plus deposit protection.
• Payment terms. Avoid large upfront payments, and ask how your deposit is protected.

Divide each total by the system size to get a price per kW. That gives you a fairer comparison than the headline total. Compare it with the DESNZ median above, but remember that batteries and extras push it up.

Also check that the installer is MCS certified, using the search on the MCS website. Our list of questions to ask an installer helps you press for detail. Prices vary by area, so your own quotes are the real test.

Check what help exists

Some households can get help with the cost. England has a low-income scheme that covers solar for eligible homes. However, support differs in Scotland and Wales. See our solar panel grants guide for what is available now.

Ready for real prices?

A national average can only take you so far, since it cannot see your roof. A vetted installer will survey it and give a written quote. Our solar panel installation service explains how our referral works. When you are ready, you can ask for quotes from MCS-certified installers and compare them with the checklist above.