Solar Panels for UK Homes: Complete 2025 Guide

Solar panels provide energy independence and savings, sparing you from excess bills and making your home eco-friendly. While they are a great solution for many homes, figuring out which solar panel system to install can be tricky. Luckily, this guide will walk you through all the pros and cons, costs, and other necessary details so you can make the best choice for your home.

If you’re looking to install solar panels, you will need a professional installer to get the job done. Finding the right one at the right price can be a hassle that takes hours of researching companies and calling them up. However, with our service, finding a reliable professional has never been easier. All you have to do is fill out a 30-second form, and we’ll provide you with up to 4 free, non-binding quotes.

Click the button below to get started.

A solar panel system is comprised of photovoltaic panels that generate electricity using sunlight. The sunlight hits the panels, photons are converted into electricity, and then used, stored in a battery, or sent back to the grid for additional earnings. The animation below breaks down the process in more detail (click the buttons on the image to learn more):

PV panels consist of solar cells, which are made out of semiconductors like silicon. The solar cells are connected in a frame, which is what we know as a solar panel. Energy is generated when photons from sunlight come in contact with electrons in the silicon in the solar panels. Energy is then released in the form of usable electricity for your home.

Solar panels in the UK generally have high efficiency levels, reaching ratings of up to 24%. This is mostly the same as in other parts of the world where solar panels can be installed. Considering that the highest efficiency levels of solar panels are around 23%, 20% efficiency for solar panels in the UK is a great percentage.

These days, solar PV panels tend to be between 400W and 500W per panel, with a 4kW solar panel system being ideal for the average 2 to 3-bedroom house.

Yes. Solar panels can be a great benefit to most homes in the UK. They allow for protection against price rises on the fossil fuel grid, generate renewable energy, and last for decades.

Solar panel prices can vary based on the size of your home. Here is a basic breakdown of the cost of common systems and how much they can save each home size.

These costs are estimates. Get a local installer QUOTE now!

Installing solar panels for house energy needs can help cover all your electricity needs. Aside from that, they also cut 50 grams of carbon emissions for every 1kWh they produce, which can mean a 170,000kg decrease in carbon per year for a 4kW system.

Yes. The UK has adequate sunlight hours for solar panels to operate properly. While 4 hours of average peak sunlight hours might seem low, an average-sized solar panel system (4kW) can generate the energy needed for most homes.

There are some considerations that can impact the effectiveness of such a system. It is important to have a south-facing roof in the UK for an ideal position for energy generation, but other directions like West or East can also suffice, albeit with a bit less energy output. The roof also needs to be unobstructed by shade.

As the chart below shows, the daily totals can allow for enough energy to be generated per day in most regions.

That said, there are some differences in the power output of solar panels depending on where in the UK they are installed. For instance, a 4kW solar panel system will generate varying levels of energy throughout the year based on where your home is located. In London, they can produce up to 475kWh in the summer months, while in Manchester, the same system can generate about 400kWh in the same period.

Ultimately, the power you generate will depend on the size of your system and how well it matches your home’s requirements. The larger your home, the bigger the system you will require.

It’s important to factor in the labour costs of solar panels along with the purchase costs.

Solar panels can be insured by most home insurance policies, so you may not need an entirely new policy to insure them. The additional solar panel coverage will cost about £100 to £200 per year. While insurance can be pretty great for wider coverage and extra assurance, a good warranty may be good enough for most homeowners as solar panels are quite durable.

In terms of upkeep, house solar panels have virtually no maintenance costs. Many homeowners may have to clean them lightly twice a year, but this can be done with most home cleaning supplies and a light brush.

Grants that can help decrease the cost of solar panels include the ECO4 scheme, the Smart Export Guarantee, and the 0% VAT scheme. Grants are available in most areas of the UK, but there may be regional exceptions, which is why it’s best to ask a local installer.

Over the course of its lifespan, a 4kW solar panel system will save £16,750. It will continue to generate £745 to £840 every year, and this will all become revenue once it is past its break-even point. This comes down to an ROI of roughly £11,000 - £12,000.

With the addition of the SEG payments, you can add another £100 to £170 to the earnings. However, this will depend on what tariff rates your energy provider offers, which can vary wildly.

It’s important to note that the numbers we provide are estimates, and the real figures can vary based on your individual circumstances. That’s why it’s important to find a reliable installer who can assess your situation honestly and provide the best price. Luckily, we have a network of thoroughly vetted installers you can easily access with minimal effort.

All you have to do is click the button below and fill out a 30-second form, and you’ll receive up to 4 free, non-binding quotes.

If all these steps have been adequately addressed and completed, your home should be ready to receive energy directly from the sun.

A solar battery can provide off-grid power when the sun is down. While batteries add to the cost, they are crucial in utilising energy efficiently. A battery will set you back another £3,500 to £7,000 for a standard solar panel system.

However, solar batteries provide some additional benefits one should consider:

Solar panels are easy to install for most homes, offering a range of options to suit most setups. However, there are certain elements that can affect how suitable your home will be for solar panels. Let’s go over the most crucial ones.

Electrical considerations

Generally, your electrical system should be fine with its current setup. Anything over 5kWs might need a more heavy-duty fuse box. A better electrical panel or breaker box might be necessary since this is where electricity is divided into different circuits.

One consideration for installing solar panels is the number of phases your electric connection has. Single-phase connections will need single-phase solar inverters, while any 3-phase connection provides a wider range of connections. The simplest solution is to get a 3-phase inverter, which will distribute the solar power evenly across all three phases.

Another option is to install single-phase inverters on one of the phases in the home, but it can be less preferable if the solar panel setup is too large. This could cause the inverter to trip out from high voltage or flow to the wrong phase. A third option is to install multiple single-phase inverters, which can be more expensive.

Connecting your first set of solar panels will not require permission (unless you live in a conservation area), but you will need permission for any expansion you make to the system afterwards.

Another aspect to consider is the installation of a smart meter. While solar panels will work fine without one, if you’re looking to make back money with SEG tariffs, you will require one.

Roof placement

As mentioned earlier, roofs need to be south-facing for ideal sunlight capture. A 30° to 40° roof pitch is the best angle for solar panels in the UK. A lot of PV solar panels can be properly angled with brackets to meet this angle if the roof does not automatically match the requirements.

Roof solar panels require about 2m square per panel. With this rule of thumb in mind, it’s important to free up roughly 16m2 to 20m2 for a 4kW system.

The area around the roof needs to be unobstructed by shade, providing a flow of sunlight directly to the panels. Solar panels should also not be placed around taller buildings, which might block their access to the sun. It can also be harder to install solar panels on a house with lots of obstructions, such as chimneys and other elements that might interrupt a direct installation.

Roof materials

Most solid roofs can handle solar panels and are fit for them. Composite shingle roofs are very common and make for great solar panel installations. Solar panels can be easily attached to these roofs and hold up the system.

Other roofs, like clay or ceramic tiles, can be more expensive to replace. These also have some placement considerations, such as placing brackets that lift the panels above the roof. Wood roofs can be completely unsuitable for solar panels and may need another layer before any installation can be added.

An older roof that is facing more wear and tear will need to be replaced before solar panels are installed. This adds to the labour cost of installation along with the time it will take to implement your new system.

It’s important to always look for multiple quotes from different installers. All the prices we provide are estimates, so it's crucial to get a price from someone who can assess your specific situation and provide a tailored quote. Here’s what to look out for when looking for prices:

Finding the right installer can be complicated, but we can give you a head start. We have an entire network of fully vetted installers who can provide the best prices with none of the hassle of spending hours researching companies. All you have to do is click the button below, fill out a 30-second form, and you can receive up to 4 free, non-binding quotes.