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Solar panels are increasingly common, but the upfront cost puts many homeowners off. We look at the pros and cons to help you decide whether solar panels are worth it for you.
KEY INFORMATION
How much your solar panels could cost will depend on several factors including where you live, the size of the system and the complexity of the installation.
But you may have to pay more for scaffolding. One way to lower the cost is to combine fitting solar panels with another job that requires scaffolding such as roof or guttering repairs.
For larger homes, a bigger system like a 5kWp setup could cost around £9,000.
Solar power savings usually come from two main sources:
Solar panels generate free electricity, reducing the amount you need to buy from your energy supplier. According to the Energy Savings Trust the average household with a 3.5 kilowatt solar panel system can cut their annual electricity bills by £140 to £340.
You can use their solar panel calculator to see if solar panels are worth it for the savings on your own bills.
If your panels generate more electricity than you use, you can sell the excess back to the National Grid through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Under this scheme, energy suppliers with over 150,000 customers must pay you for each kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity you export.
Rates vary depending on the supplier. The Energy Saving Trust estimates households in central UK – where you are affects how much sunlight you may get – could make between £270 and £400 a year from selling power back to the grid.
You won’t truly make money from your solar panels until your energy savings and SEG payments cover your installation costs. It can take over a decade to break even on the cost of solar panels, so solar panels are a long-term investment.
By combining bill reductions and SEG payments, you could save over £700 a year with solar panels. Your actual savings will depend on factors like your energy usage, location, and the export tariff you secure.
Find trusted solar panel installers via our partners at the Federation of Master Builders
Find local builders with our partner the Federation of Master Builders.
On average, it takes around 13 years to make a return on your investment into solar panels. However, the exact timeframe depends on several factors, including:
Whether solar panels are a good investment depends on how long you stay in your home, how much electricity you use, and how quickly you can break even.
Where you live in the UK affects how much sunlight you get and therefore how much energy your solar panels can generate.
Your lifestyle also plays a role. If you are at home during the day, you can use more of the energy generated by your panels, reducing your reliance on the grid and accelerating your payback period.
In contrast, those out during the day may rely more on exporting surplus electricity, which can take longer to put you into profit.
This table gives you a rough idea of how long it could take depending on where you live in the country and how much you are at home.
| Where you live | Home all day | Home in the morning | Home in the afternoon | Out all day until evening |
| London | 11 years | 11 years | 11 years | 12 years |
| Manchester | 12 years | 12 years | 13 years | 13 years |
| Aberystwyth | 11 Years | 12 years | 12 years | 13 years |
| Stirling | 13 years | 13 years | 14 years | 14 years |
| Belfast | 13 years | 15 years | 16 years | 20 years |
Solar panels turn sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic (PV) cells. When sunlight hits a solar panel, the electrons within the PV cells start moving creating a direct current (DC) of electricity.
That DC electricity then passes through a solar inverter, which converts it into alternating current (AC) electricity – the type used to power your home. From there, the electricity is distributed through wires to:
Solar panels are not a good fit for every home or homeowner. They may not be worth it if:
| Pros | Cons |
| Save money on your energy bills | High upfront cost |
| Sell surplus electricity to the grid | Takes over a decade to make a return on your investment |
| Generate clean energy and reduce your carbon footprint | Solar panels take up significant space and may affect the look of your property |
| Low maintenance | Batteries for night time use cost thousands extra |
| May add value to your property | Electricity generation depends on weather conditions |
Solar panels have surged in popularity over the past decade, with more than 1.4 million homes in the UK now equipped with them, according to the latest government data. That’s almost 5% of households – a significant jump from just 23,757 in 2010, when installation figures were first recorded.
Despite their benefits, our research has found that over a third of homeowners are put off making their homes more energy efficient due to the upfront costs. With solar panel installations averaging £7,000, according to the Energy Saving Trust, it’s a big expense.
Solar panel batteries allow you to store surplus electricity generated during the day for use at night or on cloudy days. This can help you rely less on the grid, further reducing your energy bills. However, using stored electricity means you’ll earn less from exporting power back to the National Grid.
According to The Eco Experts, installing a solar battery typically costs around £4,500. For every unit of electricity stored and used at night, you’ll save about 14p, based on figures from the Energy Saving Trust.
While a battery can increase your energy independence, it significantly impacts the financial return on your solar panel system. Solar Energy UK estimates that adding a battery could extend the payback period by five to 13 years, depending on factors like the battery size and energy usage habits.
At the moment, there are no specific government grants solely for solar panels. However, several schemes may help cover the cost of installing solar panels as part of broader energy efficiency improvements to your home.
Here are some options that could reduce the cost of solar panels:
If you live in England or Wales, you may be eligible to have multiple energy-efficiency improvements to your home if you meet certain criteria under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO). It requires energy suppliers to help households cut their heating costs by fitting energy-saving measures ranging from loft and wall insulation to air source heat pumps and solar panels.
The current scheme ECO4 was set to end on 31 March 2026, however the Government has extended this deadline to 31 December 2026. We will update this page as soon as we know what will replace it.
Welsh homeowners can access government grants for energy-efficient upgrades, including solar panels. To qualify, you or someone who lives must:
Currently, there are no grant schemes in Scotland or Northern Ireland that cover solar panels.
Find trusted solar panel installers via our partners at the Federation of Master Builders
Most people in the UK own their solar panels, rather than lease them. The popularity of owning solar panels has increased in the last decade as the cost of installing them has reduced.
Plus, many homeowners have been put off by the complications involved in leasing solar panels, which can make it harder to sell or remortgage the property.
One way of spreading the cost is to buy the solar panels on a subscription, This involves paying a monthly amount for a fixed period, covering the cost of the panels, installation, repairs and maintenance. However, if you move house while you’re tied in, you’ll either need to get the new owner to take over the subscription or you have to pay off the balance of the rest of the contract, which could be a substantial sum.
Whether or not solar panels add value seems to depend on who you ask. GB Solar – a solar panel firm – say they can increase the value of your home by 2%, The Eco Experts say they can add 14% on average. However, estate agents are less convinced, the National Association of Estate Agents says they haven’t noticed solar panels adding to the value of properties being sold.
While some buyers may view solar panels as a desirable feature due to the potential for reduced energy bills and environmental benefits, others might be the costs and ongoing commitments, such as subscriptions or maintenance.
The added value is likely to depend on factors including:
In most cases, installing solar panels on your home doesn’t require planning permission, as they are considered ‘permitted development’. However, there are exceptions where you should consult your local planning authority before proceeding:
It’s advisable to check with your local planning authority to see if there are any specific regulations applicable to your property.
Solar panels typically last between 25 to 30 years, although some newer models could still be working in 40 years or longer. However, it’s important to note that their efficiency starts to decline after about 25 years. This means they’ll produce less electricity as they age but can still generate power.
Solar panels are generally low maintenance, making them a hassle-free addition to your home. Your installer should provide specific instructions for keeping your system in good working order.
In most cases:
When you’re ready to invest in solar panels, follow these steps to ensure you get the best deal:
Always use a reputable, certified installer. A good starting point is the Federation of Master Builders, where you can find reliable solar panel firms.
Make sure all quotes include the same work so you can make fair comparisons. A comprehensive quote should cover:
Ensure both the panels and the installer are certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). This is essential for claiming Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments after installation.
Find trusted solar panel installers via our partners at the Federation of Master Builders
Find local builders with our partner the Federation of Master Builders.
Yes, solar panels still generate electricity on cloudy days, so the typical British weather won’t stop you from saving money.
It depends on several factors. Ideally, you need:
– A large, sturdy, pitched roof.
– Minimal shading between 10am and 4pm.
– A south-facing roof is ideal, but east or west-facing roofs can also work effectively.
There are three types of solar panel:
– Monocrystalline: Most energy-efficient and require fewer panels. They’re also sleek and aesthetically pleasing but tend to be the most expensive.
– Polycrystalline: Less efficient than monocrystalline but more affordable.
– Thin-film: Lightweight and flexible, ideal in certain situations but generally less efficient.
– Yes, solar panels are environmentally friendly as they reduce carbon emissions and generate clean energy. However proper disposal at the end of their lifespan is crucial.
– Most of the components of a solar panel are recyclable but some components must be disposed of by specialists and should not go into landfill.
– When it is time to get rid of your solar panels or replace them contact the firm who installed them, under EU regulations that still apply post-Brexit they are legally obliged to remove them for free or pay for someone else to do it.
– If they are no longer operating, you can use the government-approved PV Cycle to get your panels removed free of charge.
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