What UK homes actually pay

The best price evidence comes from the government. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero publishes cost data taken from MCS installation records. The latest release covers April 2025 to March 2026 and was published on 28 May 2026.

For systems up to 4 kW, the median price was £1,595 per kilowatt. For systems from 4 to 10 kW it was £1,546 per kilowatt. These figures cover panels, fitting, grid connection and VAT where it applied. They leave out batteries, and they cover Great Britain only.

Here is a simple sum using those medians. A 4 kW system comes to about £6,400. A 5 kW system comes to about £7,700, although your quote may differ because these are averages, not prices.

Other sources point the same way. Energy Saving Trust (updated 1 October 2026) puts a typical 4.5 kW system at about £7,600, a figure MoneySavingExpert also uses. Also, Home Energy Scotland gives around £6,500 for an average 4 kW system in Scotland.

Prices are also falling. After allowing for inflation, the median cost per kilowatt dropped 7% for systems up to 4 kW in 2025/26, and 9% for systems from 4 to 10 kW. A record number of installations went in that year, so the market is busy.

What changes your quote

Size is the biggest factor, but it is not the only one. A larger system costs more in total, yet each kilowatt usually costs less. That is why a 6 kW quote is not twice a 3 kW quote.

Other things move the price too. Scaffolding, a complex roof, extra electrical work and long cable runs all add cost because they add labour. So do premium panels, a bigger inverter, a monitoring unit and bird protection.

Roof shape matters because it limits how many panels fit. Our guide to roof and property suitability explains the main checks. The post on east-west and flat roof solar covers harder layouts.

Location counts as well. In the same government release, the mean price per kilowatt for small systems was higher in London than in the North East. So a national average is only a starting point.

Check what each quote includes, since some leave out scaffolding, a monitoring unit or the grid notification. Those extras can appear later as add-ons. Ask for one all-in price in writing.

Panel count sets the system size, which in turn sets the price. Our post on how many solar panels you need shows how to match the system to your use. For a fuller price breakdown, see how much solar panels cost in the UK.

What changes your savings

Savings come from two places. First, you use solar power instead of buying it. Second, you may be paid for what you send to the grid, although the rate varies a lot.

The first part is usually worth more. The Ofgem price cap for October to December 2026 sets electricity at 26.32p per kWh for a standard variable tariff paid by Direct Debit. That is a Great Britain average, and your rate may differ. Every unit you use from your roof saves roughly that much.

The government has also removed VAT from electricity bills from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, so the cap rate excludes it. The value of each unit can therefore move once that relief ends, which is one more reason to treat forecasts with care.

MoneySavingExpert estimates that a 4.5 kW system cuts bills by between £190 and £330 a year at price cap rates, before any export income. That is lower than many sales brochures claim, which shows why you should check the figures.

Self-use is the key. A home that is empty all day uses less of the power as it is made, while a home with people in during the day uses more. Our post on using more of your own solar power covers simple ways to shift your use.

Export income and batteries

Under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), suppliers pay you for power you send to the grid. Ofgem says suppliers set their own rates, and the rate must be above zero. MoneySavingExpert reports rates from 1p to 25p per kWh, so the tariff you pick matters because the gap is wide. Our post on the Smart Export Guarantee explains how to compare them.

The SEG covers Great Britain. However, if you live in Northern Ireland, the rules differ, so ask your supplier what export payment they offer.

A battery stores spare power for the evening. It costs a lot, and it stretches payback unless your tariff rewards it. Our guide to solar batteries and export covers the detail. The post on solar battery cost and sizing shows typical prices.

Heat pumps change the sums as well. A heat pump raises your electricity use, so more of your solar power gets used at home. In its Warm Homes Plan, the government estimates that a home with a heat pump, solar panels and a battery could save up to £550 a year against a gas boiler. That figure uses 2024 prices. Our post on solar panels and heat pumps looks at this in more detail.

How to test a savings claim

Ask every installer for the performance estimate in writing. The MCS installation standard (MIS 3002 issue 6.0, dated 18 March 2026) requires one by the time you sign. It must give the expected yearly output in kWh and a self-use figure. It must also say the estimate is guidance for the first year and not a guarantee.

Then ask four questions:

  • What yearly output and self-use share did you assume?
  • What electricity price and export rate did you use?
  • Does the payback include a battery, and what does that cost on its own?
  • What happens to the result if electricity prices fall?

Treat any promise of “guaranteed savings” as a warning sign. No installer can know your future bills, because prices and habits both change. Our post asking whether solar panels are worth it walks through a fair test. The guide to choosing an installer lists what a good quote contains.

VAT, grants and timing

Installing solar panels and batteries in a home is zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027. After that the reduced rate of 5% is due to apply, according to GOV.UK as of October 2026. On a £6,400 system, that is about £320 extra. Our post on 0% VAT on solar panels and batteries explains the rules. Meanwhile, ask your installer to show the VAT rate and the planned fitting date on the quote.

Grants are limited because most are aimed at lower-income homes. See solar panel grants and funding for what exists in each UK nation.

Check the date before you buy

Prices and rules change, because the market moves fast. Always check the date on any figure you read, ours included. This page was last revised on 10 October 2026, and every number above comes from the sources listed below.

Common questions

How much do solar panels cost for a typical UK house?

Government data for 2025/26 puts the median price near £1,595 per kilowatt for small systems. That works out at roughly £6,400 for a 4 kW system. Your own quote may be higher or lower, so compare at least three because quotes vary.

How long do solar panels take to pay for themselves?

Estimates from MoneySavingExpert and Home Energy Scotland sit between about 8 and 12 years. Your result depends on how much power you use in the day. A longer payback is normal if you are out while the sun is up.

Are solar panels cheaper than they were?

Yes. After allowing for inflation, the median cost per kilowatt fell by 7% for systems up to 4 kW in 2025/26. It fell by 9% for systems from 4 to 10 kW. Rising demand and more supply helped push prices down.

Does a battery make solar cheaper to run?

A battery adds cost first and saves money later, if at all. It helps most when you use little power in the day or sit on a time-of-use tariff. Read our batteries guide before you add one, because the answer depends on your tariff.

Is VAT charged on solar panels?

Not at the moment. Installing solar panels and batteries in a home is zero-rated until 31 March 2027. After that date the reduced rate of 5% is due to apply, as of October 2026.