Solar Panels — Generate Your Own Electricity
Solar panels turn daylight into electricity for your home. Use it when it is generated, store it in a battery, or get paid for what you send to the grid.
Electricity is the most expensive energy most homes buy per unit, so every unit you generate and use yourself avoids buying one from the grid. How much you save depends on where you live, how much electricity you use while the panels are generating, and whether you sign up for export payments through the Smart Export Guarantee.
- Typical 4.5kWp system (around 12 panels)
- ~£7,600
- Yearly saving with export payments*
- £680–£930
- Typical payment per exported unit
- ~12p
- Expected panel life
- 25 years+
What Is Solar?
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels generate direct current electricity from daylight. An inverter converts it for use in your home, and anything you do not use can be exported to the grid or stored in a home battery. The average home system is around 4.5 kilowatt peak (kWp), usually around 12 panels covering 20–30m² of roof.
How It Works
Roof Survey
An installer checks the roof's direction, pitch, shading and condition, and your electricity use.
System Design
The system size, inverter and any battery are chosen to suit your roof and how you use electricity.
Installation
Panels are fixed to the roof, wired to the inverter and connected to your consumer unit. The installer usually registers the system with your network operator.
Export Payments
Choose a Smart Export Guarantee tariff from an electricity supplier to be paid for the electricity you export.
Is It Right for My Home?
Most homes with a reasonably unshaded roof can have solar panels. Solar panels on houses are usually permitted development and do not need planning permission, but there are exceptions — for example listed buildings and conservation areas — so check with your local planning office. A roof in poor condition may need work first.
Key Benefits
Lower Electricity Bills
Every unit you generate and use yourself is one you do not buy from the grid.
Export Payments
The Energy Saving Trust says you will typically get around 12p for each unit you export through the Smart Export Guarantee.
Battery Option
A battery stores daytime electricity for the evening. The Energy Saving Trust puts battery costs at around £5,000 to £8,000.
Long Lasting
Panels should last 25 years or more, though the inverter usually needs replacing after around 12 years.
Works Well With Heat Pumps and EVs
Using solar electricity for a heat pump or electric car increases how much of it you use yourself.
Lower Carbon Emissions
Generating renewable electricity reduces the carbon footprint of your home.
Ask for a Free Solar Quote
Typical Costs and Savings
Typical figures to help you compare, not a quote for your home. Your costs and savings depend on the property, how you heat it and how you use energy.
| Example | Typical Cost | Typical Saving a Year |
|---|---|---|
| London | ~£7,600 | £900–£930 with export payments (£200–£330 without) |
| Manchester | ~£7,600 | £740–£810 with export payments (£190–£310 without) |
| Aberystwyth, Wales | ~£7,600 | £840–£870 with export payments (£190–£320 without) |
| Stirling, Scotland | ~£7,600 | £680–£740 with export payments (£180–£290 without) |
*Energy Saving Trust estimates for a four-bedroom detached, gas-heated home, based on fuel prices as of July 2026. The range for each place runs from someone who is out all day to someone at home all day. The cost is the Energy Saving Trust's typical price for an average 4.5kWp system; your quote will depend on system size, roof and access. Source: Energy Saving Trust — solar panels. Last reviewed September 2026.
Help With the Cost
Funding depends on where you live, your income and your home, and schemes change. We are not a government body — check the official scheme before relying on it.
Warm Homes Plan loans
The government has said it will offer low- and zero-interest loans for solar panels and batteries. Check whether they are open yet.
Read more on our grants guide →0% VAT until 31 March 2027
Installing solar panels and batteries in a home is zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027.
Read more on our grants guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Your next step
Thinking about Solar Panels?
It is free to ask and there is no obligation.