Are you wondering how much a new solar panel installation may cost in the UK? Use our calculator below to get an estimate.
The solar panel cost calculator below will help you determine how much energy you can save, as well as the financial rewards you could potentially earn by installing a solar panel array on your property.
Please bear in mind that the calculator will provide estimates based on the information you have provided.
This can help you determine if installing a solar panel system on your home is worth it.
Please note that the calculator’s final outputs are not a guarantee that you will see these exact outcomes and the results should only be used as an estimation.
This solar cost calculator estimates potential payments you could receive in accordance with the Smart Export Guarantee.
Solar Panel Costs Calculator:
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How Much Do Solar Panels Cost? Overview:
In reality, the cost of solar panels depends on a variety of factors, including the following:
- The type of solar panels you install.
- The brand of the solar panels.
- The total number of solar panels you are installing.
Solar PV Array Costs Breakdown:
Please bear in mind that a complete solar panel installation does not simply include the costs of the solar panels themselves, but also includes the following:
- Solar panel brackets.
- Solar panel inverter.
- Solar panel brackets.
- Installation i.e. labour costs of the installer.
- Cost of the solar battery storage system (although this is optional).
Short answer: the average UK cost of a new domestic solar install is somewhere between £5,000 and £10,000.
How much is a single solar panel in the UK?
The average cost of a solar panel in the UK based on a 350-watt panel is currently between £500 and £800.
However, please bear in mind that this is the price for a single solar panel and does not include the professional installation or any other extras e.g. pigeon proofing.
With that said, let’s explore some common solar installation scenarios…
How much are solar batteries?
If you want to add a solar battery i.e. solar battery storage onto your installation this will cost extra.
On average a new solar battery will cost between £3,000 and £10,000 depending on the size, type and brand of the battery.
For example, one of the most popular solar battery brands is GivEnergy that offers there batteries at around £5,000 for a battery that will provide capacity for the average three-bedroom house.
Remember a solar battery offers you some major advantages, it allows you to store the energy your solar panel system uses so that you can utilise the energy in the evening and during non-sunlight hours.
Solar Panel Installation Calculation Scenarios:
Of course, the exact quote you will receive depends on your unique circumstances, however, here are some common domestic scenarios:
3.5 kWp Solar System Costs (Most Common Domestic Install Size)
A 3.5 kWp solar system is one of the most common solar PV arrays installed on UK domestic properties since it will typically meet the energy demands of a three-bedroom home with 2 to 3 residents.
So how much would it cost on average?
A 3.5 kWp solar panel system would typically require around 10 solar panels (at 350 W each) and cost between £5,000 and £10,000.
*kWp stands for ‘kilowatt peak’. This is the amount of power that a solar panel or array will produce per hour in prime conditions.
5 kW Solar System Costs
If you have a larger home with around four residents you will need to install a larger PV array.
In some cases, a 5 kWp solar PV array will be sufficient to meet those energy demands.
A 5 kWp solar system will typically require around 15 solar panels at 350W each and cost between £8,000 to £12,000.
Solar Panels Costs Comparison Table UK
Here is an overview of solar PV array installation costs which also shows how much roof space is required for each on average:
Cost of Solar Panels per kW System in the UK
| System Size | Estimated Costs | Number of Panels | Roof Space | Annual Electricity Bill Savings | Savings after 25 Years with SEG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5kWp panel system | £5,500 – £6,000 | ~10 | 22 m² | £160 | ~£5,993 |
| 4kWp panel system | £6,500 – £9,000 | ~11-12 | 29 m² | £270 | ~£9,240 |
| 5kWp panel system | £8,500 – £10,000 | ~12 | 32 m² | £320 | ~£11,088 |
| 6kWp panel system | £9,500 – £12,000 | ~15 | 43 m² | £430 | ~£14,533 |
*The figures in this table are calculated based on 350W panels and the national average household energy consumption (2022). The table makes a broad estimate and figures may vary according to the size, type, and quality of the solar panel system, as well as export tariffs.
How much money will you save with solar panels?
A new solar panel system can save you around half of your electricity bill on average and the financial gains to be made are even more impressive with the new Energy Price Cap taking effect.
For example, the average household with a 3.5 kWp solar system could save you as much as £514 a year on your energy bills (based on the Energy Price Guarantee).
If you also use a solar battery, you could save even more, in fact, without one around 50% is returned back to the National Grid.
So by using a solar battery you could save as much as an extra £230 on average or sell the energy back to the grid using the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
The SEG allows you to sell the energy you generate back to the grid and depending on the supplier you choose you could sell it for as much as 12p for every kilowatt hour (kWh).
To conclude on average households save around £465 a year for the average-sized home, but you could also sell excess energy via the SEG and earn an average of £120.
What determines the final costs of your solar PV system?
As mentioned the costs provided above are based on averages and the actual final quote/costs of your system will depend on the following:
- The type of solar panels you install.
- The efficiency of the panel and associated warranty.
- The number of panels you have installed.
Types of Solar Panels
There are two major types of solar panels available in the UK, these are monocrystalline solar panels and polycrystalline solar panels.
In short, monocrystalline panels are more efficient and so typically cost more.
Recommended reading: Are solar panels worth it in the UK?
Efficiency of the Solar Panels
Efficiency is another important factor that can impact the price of solar panels.
The efficiency of a solar panel refers to its ability to convert sunlight to electricity. For example, a solar panel with 20% efficiency is able to convert 20% of the sunlight that hits it into energy for your property.
The best solar panels right now are able to be 22.6% efficient, which does have an impact on their final price.
Additionally, the performance warranty the solar panel brand offers is important e.g. the solar panels will remain 85% efficient for 25 years or your money back.
The Number of Solar Panels
The number of solar panels you have installed on your roof can also impact the final price or solar quote you receive.
It is possible to reduce the number of panels you need by choosing high-efficiency solar panels instead of regular units, however, you should expect to pay more for these.
What grants and funding are available for solar panel systems in the UK?
The good news is that there is funding available to help you with the cost of solar panel installation in the UK.
As of 2023, these include the following solar panel grant schemes:
Home Energy Scotland
Home Energy Scotland Loan is an interest-free loan designed to help finance various energy efficiency initiatives and renewable systems like solar panels and solar batteries.
You can get a loan of up to £6,000 for a solar PV system, and £5,000 for a solar battery storage system.
The repayment period is between 5-10 years, depending on the installation. For specific eligibility criteria, you can visit the Home Energy Scotland website.
Other than that, there are no direct grant or loan offers in the UK but there are ways to save money with schemes like Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) and VAT reduction.
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
As previously mentioned, you can use the Smart Export Guarantee scheme that allows you to earn money for exporting stored electricity you don’t use to the national grid.
Export tariffs depend on the supplier tariff and the area of the country you reside, but the best tariffs can be as high as 15p per kWh, so make sure you shop around.
For reference, this means a typical household based roughly in the middle of the country could make between £80 and £110/year (based on a rate of 3.99p per kWh).
VAT Reduction Scheme
The other scheme which is value-added tax (VAT) reduction means that the VAT on certain energy-saving materials has been reduced to 0%.
Those eligible for this offer only need to pay 5% VAT on products like solar batteries and solar panels as opposed to the regular 20% VAT.
The scheme is in operation from April 2022 to 2027 which means that vulnerable households will pay less to make upgrades that meet the requirements of the scheme.
Solar Panel Costs UK Conclusion
As you can appreciate there are many factors that come into the final costs of a solar PV installation including the type and size of the system you install.
Although we have provided some rough estimations on the costs of various scenarios, the only real way to get a quote is after a survey from a solar installation company.
We always recommend you get several quotes before making a final decision, at least three are often recommended.