How much do solar panels cost in the UK in 2026?

Work out your own numbers with the solar calculator →

The headline price

A typical home system is about 4.5 kWp. That's roughly 12 panels, covering 20–30 m² of roof. The Energy Saving Trust (EST) says it costs about £7,600 fitted.

Smaller systems cost a bit more per panel. Scaffolding, the inverter, the electrician and the paperwork cost much the same whatever the size.

Want a second opinion? One supplier, Octopus Energy, advertises panel-only installs from £6,663. That's just one company's price, not a market average, so do get your own quotes.

The VAT bit (good news, for now)

Until 31 March 2027, solar panels fitted to a home have 0% VAT. From 1 April 2027 it goes up to 5%. That covers the panels, cabling, control panel and inverter, as long as the same business supplies and fits them. If you buy a kit from a shop and fit it yourself, you pay the full 20%.

On a £7,600 job, the April change adds £380. That's less than half a year's extra payback, so it's worth knowing about, but it's no reason to rush into a poor quote.

Guernsey and Jersey aren't in the UK VAT system. Guernsey has no VAT or GST. Jersey charges GST on most things, so check whether a Jersey quote includes it.

What makes a quote go up or down

• Size. More panels cost more in total, but less per panel.
• Getting up there. Tall or awkward roofs need more scaffolding. If it's already up for roof work, you can save (EST).
• Panels or tiles. In-roof panels and solar tiles look sleeker but cost more than panels on rails.
• Your roof's health. If the roof needs redoing, do it first. Taking panels off later is pricey.
• Shade kit. Optimisers or micro-inverters help on partly shaded roofs. On a sunny, unshaded roof they just add cost (EST).
• A battery. EST puts one at about £5,000 to £8,000. Fitting it at the same time shares the work.
• Ground mounts and sheds. Harder to price because of the frame and cable runs. A shed or garage with no power supply needs a new cable.

Costs after the install

• The inverter. Panels last 25 years or more, but the inverter usually needs replacing after about 12 (EST). Warranties are at least five years and can often be stretched to 15, though EST notes a 15-year warranty can cost almost as much as a new inverter. Our calculators assume £1,000 for a replacement. That's our estimate, so check it with your installer.
• Cleaning. UK rain does the job for panels tilted at 15° or more (EST). Ground-mounted panels may need the odd wipe.
• Insurance. Tell your home insurer. Some add panels for free, others charge more. We haven't surveyed this.

Is there a grant?

Not right now. There's no dedicated UK government solar grant (EST). The government's Warm Homes Plan is due to bring fully funded help for people on low incomes and cheap or zero-interest loans for others, but the details weren't out when we checked. Some councils and suppliers run their own offers, so it's worth asking.

How to get a fair price

1. Run the solar calculator first, so you know roughly what size and saving to expect.
2. Get at least three quotes from MCS-certified installers. You normally need MCS to get Smart Export Guarantee payments.
3. Compare like with like: price per kWp, panel and inverter brand, warranties, and whether scaffolding, export meter set-up and network registration are included.
4. Walk away from pressure selling, "today only" discounts and payback claims that assume you'll use almost all your solar yourself.

Related guides

• Solar panels in the UK: cost, savings and payback
• Do you need planning permission for solar panels?
• What size solar panel system do I need?
• The Smart Export Guarantee: getting paid for your spare solar
• East, west, flat or shaded: is your roof good enough for solar?
• All home-energy calculators

Open the solar calculator All home-energy tools