TL;DR
A typical home solar system costs £10,000–£20,000 depending on size and battery. There's 0% VAT until March 2027, and most systems pay for themselves in about 7 years. Don't just pick the cheapest quote — MCS certification matters for warranties and export payments.
Most UK homeowners pay between £10,000 and £20,000 for a full solar panel system — panels, inverter, mounting kit, cabling, scaffolding, and installation. Where you land in that range depends on a few things.
What shifts the price?
- How many panels you need. A 3-bed semi might need 10–12 panels. A big detached? Could be 16+.
- Panel quality. Higher-efficiency N-type panels cost more upfront but squeeze more electricity out of every square metre for 25+ years. Worth it.
- Your roof. Simple south-facing roof? Quick job. Dormers, skylights, multiple aspects? Takes longer, costs more.
- Battery storage. Adding a battery bumps up the price but means you actually use the power you generate instead of selling it back to the grid for pennies.
0% VAT — but not forever
Solar installations currently carry 0% VAT. On a £15,000 system, that saves you £3,000 versus the standard rate. This runs until March 2027, and nobody's promised an extension.
The 7-year payback
Most systems pay for themselves in about 7 years. After that? Near-free electricity for another 18+ years. The average household cuts their electricity bill by 60–80%, and every time energy prices rise, your savings get bigger. We break this down further in are solar panels worth it?.
You can also earn a bit back through the Smart Export Guarantee by selling surplus power to the grid. It won't fund a holiday, but it helps.
Don't just pick the cheapest quote
Solar is a 25-year commitment. Bargain-basement installations have a habit of causing expensive headaches down the line. Look for:
- MCS certification — without it, you can't access the Smart Export Guarantee and some warranties won't apply. We're MCS Certified, NAPIT Approved, TrustMark Registered, and HIES members.
- Solid warranties — we offer 25-year manufacturer warranties on panels plus a 2-year workmanship guarantee.
- Quality kit — cheap panels degrade faster. We use LONGi, JA Solar, and AIKO panels, paired with Tesla, Growatt, and SolaX inverters and batteries.
The cheapest installer on page one of Google won't necessarily be around in five years to honour their warranty. Choose carefully.
What would it cost for your home?
Every roof is different. If you want an actual number rather than a range, try our calculator for an instant estimate or get in touch for a free quote — we'll design a system around your property and show you the expected payback.
