How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in the UK?

◆What solar panels cost in the UK

A complete 4kW solar system for a home in East Sussex normally costs £6,000–£8,000. That covers the panels, the inverter, the mounting, the wiring and the installation. It is the size most three bedroom houses end up with.

The upfront price is only half the question. The other half is how much you get back each year, and how long the system takes to pay for itself.

◆What is included in the price

A full installation from us includes all of this:

• Solar panels. We fit 450–500W panels on homes. A 4kW system is usually 8 or 9 of them.
• Inverter. This turns the direct current from the panels into the alternating current your house uses.
• Mounting. Roof fixings chosen for your roof, whether it is tile, slate or flat.
• Generation meter. This measures what the system makes.
• DNO application. Your Distribution Network Operator has to be told about the system. We handle it.
• MCS certificate. You need this, or equivalent evidence, to apply for export payments.
• Warranties. 30-year panel warranties (panel dependent), 10-year inverter and battery warranties, and our own 6-year workmanship warranty.

The work on the roof takes 1–3 days. From your first enquiry, a job is typically completed within four weeks of your first enquiry.

◆Why one quote costs more than another

Two quotes for the same roof can be hundreds of pounds apart, for honest reasons. These are the things that move the number.

Panel choice

Cheaper panels need more roof space for the same output. That is fine on a big clear roof. More efficient panels cost more each but make more from a smaller area. They earn their place where roof space is tight.

Inverter choice

A single string inverter is the cheapest option for a plain, unshaded roof. Optimisers or micro inverters cost more. They are worth it where the roof is shaded or split across two faces, because one poor panel then drags the rest down far less.

Roof type and access

A normal pitched tile roof is the baseline. Slate takes longer because it has to be handled carefully. A flat roof needs tilt frames to get the panels to a useful angle. A ground mounted array needs foundations and a cable run back to the house.

Scaffolding

A simple house needs a simple scaffold. Narrow streets, steep roofs and restricted access all cost more. That is why terraced streets in Hastings or Lewes often sit at the higher end.

Distance to the consumer unit

The further the panels are from your fuse board, the more cable and labour the job takes. Some older properties also need the consumer unit upgrading before a system can be connected safely.

When you compare quotes, check they cover the same work. A cheaper headline price often leaves out scaffolding, the DNO application or the monitoring setup.

◆0% VAT on solar panels

Solar panels and battery storage fitted at a home are zero rated for VAT. HMRC's guidance says the zero rate runs to 31 March 2027. After that, from 1 April 2027 these will revert to the reduced rate of VAT of 5%. It covers the panels, a battery, and the labour to fit them.

So the comparison is with 5%, not 20%. On a £7,000 job, 5% VAT would add £350. That is real money, but it is not the huge number some websites quote.

◆How much a system actually makes

Generation depends on which way your roof faces, how steep it is, and what shades it. The European Commission's PVGIS tool models this for any location. For Eastbourne, at a 35 degree pitch and with 14% system losses, it gives these figures for every 1 kWp of panels:

Roof direction	Modelled output per 1 kWp	Share of a south facing roof
South	1,156 kWh a year	100%
West	915 kWh a year	79%
East	879 kWh a year	76%

Those are model figures for a clear roof. A real roof with a chimney, a dormer or a tree nearby will make less. We work yours out at the survey rather than from a table.

◆What you save

Savings come from two places. You buy less electricity, and you get paid for what you export.

On the buying side, the Ofgem price cap sets the unit rate most households pay. It is 26.11p per kWh from 1 July to 30 September 2026, rising to 26.32p per kWh from 1 October. Every unit you use straight from your own roof is a unit you do not buy at that rate.

On the export side, the Smart Export Guarantee pays you for surplus power. Rates are set by each supplier and run at 4p–15p per kWh.

Put together, a typical home system saves £700–£1,200 a year. Where you land in that range depends on three things. How much power you use during the day. Whether you have a battery. Which export tariff you pick.

◆How long it takes to pay back

Take the price range and the savings range and divide one by the other. A £6,000 system saving £1,200 a year pays back in five years. An £8,000 system saving £700 a year takes about eleven. Most homes sit somewhere in between.

Four things move you up or down that range:

• How much electricity you use in the daytime. More daytime use means faster payback.
• Whether you add a battery.
• Which export tariff you are on.
• What happens to electricity prices.

◆Does a battery change the sums?

A battery adds to the price, and it also adds to the saving. It holds the power your panels make at midday so you can use it in the evening. Without one, that power goes to the grid and you buy it back later at a higher rate.

◆Ways to pay

Paying outright gives the best return, because no interest eats into the saving. We also offer finance. Ask us for the current terms before you decide, because they change.

◆How to get good value

1. Get three quotes and check they cover the same work.
2. Check the installer is MCS certified. Without that certificate you cannot apply for export payments.
3. Read the warranties. Panel, inverter and workmanship cover are three separate things with three separate lengths.
4. Ask about monitoring. An app that shows generation and export is how you spot a fault in a week rather than a year.
5. Leave room for a battery. The inverter and the cable route can be chosen now even if you fit the battery later.
6. Look at reviews and finished local work, not just the price.

◆Solar panel costs in East Sussex

We are based in Eastbourne and have fitted 400+ systems across East Sussex. We work in Eastbourne, Hailsham, Lewes, Heathfield and Bexhill, among other places. Labour costs here are in line with the rest of the country. Surveys and quotes are free and carry no obligation. After you send an enquiry we call you back within 1 working day.

◆Common Questions

How much do solar panels cost for a three bedroom house?

Most three bedroom houses take a 4kW system, which costs £6,000–£8,000 fitted. The final figure depends on the panels, the roof and whether you add a battery. We give you a fixed, itemised price after the survey.

Do solar panels work on a cloudy day?

Yes. Panels run on daylight, not on direct sun, so they keep working when it is grey. They just make less. The yearly figure in your quote already allows for winter and for dull days.

Can I fit solar panels myself and save money?

We would not advise it. Without an MCS certified installation you cannot apply for export payments. You may also affect your home insurance and the manufacturer warranties. A professional install covers the electrical safety and building regulations side too.

Is 0% VAT going to end?

HMRC guidance says the zero rate runs to 31 March 2027. From 1 April 2027 it is due to go back to the reduced rate of 5%. That is the published position today. Tax policy can change, so we do not promise it.

How long do solar panels last?

The panels we fit carry 30-year panel warranties (panel dependent). Output falls slowly over the years rather than stopping. The inverter is the part most likely to need replacing first.

◆Next steps

Get a free solar panel quote →

Use our solar savings calculator →

Find out about solar panel grants →

Are solar panels worth it? →