Solar panel costs: everything you need to know
We often get asked how much solar panels cost, but the price can vary from home to home. From the quantity of panels to any add-ons, so many elements can impact price, but to give you some peace of mind, we've put together a few averages. While these will likely change, they'll give you a good indicator if solar panels fit within your budget and lifestyle.
Firstly, how much is it to install solar panels?
Generally, a solar panel installation for a three-bed semi-detached house with four occupants will be around £10,000 - £14,000 with battery storage included and using a trusted provider.
That would also include the essentials:
How much does a solar energy system cost?
As for the solar energy system alone, we recommend opting for the number of panels to suit your property and a solar inverter to maximise your energy production. We would also recommend solar battery storage to give you the choice of either using all the energy you generate or selling it back to the grid.
Solar Power Panel Prices
The best, most cost-effective on the market are currently Type 1, 104 Half Cell Monocrystalline panels that are 1.7 x 1.1 metres and will produce 405W. These generally retail for between £100 and £350 and are the latest, state-of-the-art, modern all-black panels that look the part.
These panels also offer an efficiency rating of up to 24%, and they function at between 98% and 84% of that over 25 years, lasting well over 40 years.
Based on these numbers, we'd say your panels will roughly cost:
3 kWh System - 8 Panels - £800 - £1,200
4 kWh System - 10 Panels - £1000 - £1,500
5 kWh System - 13 - 14 Panels - £1300/1950 - £1400/2100
6 kWh System - 15 - 16 Panels - £1500/2250 - £1600/£2400
Make payments work around your lifestyle with our solar finance options.
Price of Solar Inverters
Depending on your needs, you may also require a solar inverter alongside your solar array. If only using a DC supply, you'll likely power 6 electrical items in your house without an inverter, but most devices actually rely on AC electricity. Meaning an inverter is an essential part of a solar system as it converts DC power to AC.
Micro Inverters
The most efficient kind of inverters are micro inverters, as each unit connects directly to the solar panel. This type of inverter generally costs between £100 - £150 for each panel.
String Inverters
String inverters are popular for solar installations as they can handle multiple panels at once, and they can be stored inside. These can cost anywhere between £500 - £1000, depending on the size of the system.
The only thing to take into consideration with string inverters is that if a panel is shaded or broken, it'll produce less power than the other panels, and the system will only perform at the level of that shaded/broken panel. This is where power optimisers come in as they can be attached to the low-performing panels to bring the output in line with the other panels in the system.
Power optimisers cost around £40, and you will only need them for low-performing panels in your system.
Hybrid Inverters
Lastly, we have hybrid Inverters, which are essentially string inverters but with extra functionality to direct charge to your battery. They generally retail for between £1500 and £3000.
The Cost of Solar Batteries & Storage
While batteries aren't an essential part of a solar energy system, they are definitely a good investment, and most people opt to include some level of energy storage when investing in solar.
Usually, energy companies will be charging you 27p per kWh for electricity and paying you as little as 1p per kWh for any you sell back. But a battery will mean you can continue using your energy after the sun goes down.
What's more, if you're out at work all day, the electricity you generate between 9 and 5 will either go to the grid or be wasted, unless you have a battery. On the other hand, if you're at home all day, you'll be using that electricity so a battery may not as practical.
Battery prices vary depending on the amount of storage you need.
A 5.8 kWh Lithium Battery will be around £2,800
A 6.5 kWh Lithium Battery will be around £3,500
A 10 kWh Lithium Battery will be around £4,800
So, what is the average cost of solar panels for different property types?
The property type can also play a role in how much your solar panel installation will cost. Below, we've outlined average usage in average homes with an average amount of occupants to give you a better idea of what to expect for your property.
A 1-bedroom house may get away with 3 panels at £150 each. So, we would be looking at £450 for the panels alone.
A 2-bedroom house would need twice as many panels, so they would cost £900.
A 3-bedroom home would need a covering of about 20 square metres, which would require around 10 panels at a cost of £1500.
A 4-bedroom home with 12 panels would be spending £1800.
However, it's worth noting that this is the price for the panels alone, so it doesn't include fitting, labour, monitoring, inverters, batteries or anything else extra.
What factors can affect solar panel costs in the UK?
Although we've covered the average cost for the various elements of a solar energy system, there can be several factors that affect costs for equipment, fitting and maintenance if you live in the UK. So, let's take a look at the variables.
1. Size of your system
Panels come in several sizes, quality levels and power outputs. The bigger your energy requirements, the more panels you're going to have to install which will add to the overall cost of not just equipment but labour also.
An average system size of 4kW will cost around £6,000 to install but an 8kW system would increase this further.
2. Type of panels
Not only can panels come in different sizes, quality and power output, but there are also different types of panels available to you. These are monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film solar panels.
Monocrystalline panels have the highest efficiency and are pretty much the only kind of panels used in domestic installations in the UK. Although monocrystalline panels are more expensive, costing around £1 to £1.50 per watt, you would need many more polycrystalline to produce the same power.
3. Installation Process
While tempting, you shouldn't install your panels yourself unless you're a qualified roofer and electrician. Solar panels are large and heavy, so only highly skilled professionals with a robust scaffolding setup should be carrying them up ladders and lifting them across roofs.
Therefore, we would always suggest talking to a well-established, MCS-registered company, like Wickes Solar, about fitting your system. If you're looking to sign up for an SEG with your energy supplier, you must also have a professional to certify your solar panel system.
Another advantage to using an MCS-registered installer is the system will have all the certificates and warranties it should have, making it easier to sell your property should you be looking to move on.
4. Adding parts to your system
As you get to know your system, you may want to start adding different components or improvements to it, such as extra batteries, optimisers for shaded panels or an EV charger.
You may also find you need to 'pigeon-proof' your panels if you find there are feathered friends congregating on your roof, which could also lead to you needing to clean your solar panels. And these additions and extra services will come at a cost.
5. Location and labour
If you're based in London or somewhere remote like the Scottish Highlands, you'll likely pay more for installation and labour than you would in somewhere like Leeds as pricing and the time it takes to do the job will be very different.
As a general guideline, you can expect to pay between £300 and £500 a day for labour in the UK.
So, when will I break even on my Solar Panel investment?
Our customers are often surprised to find that their solar panels have a life span of many decades. So, while the initial investment might seem expensive, the return is worth it. What's more, there are no moving parts to break and as they're generally installed on roofs, damage is rare.
Most reputable companies will offer a 25-year performance warranty on PV solar panels to give you extra peace of mind, and we offer _. Batteries and inverters also have long lifespans of generally 10 years or more. So, including replacement and maintenance costs, most systems will break even at 10 - 12 years.
Your online quote for solar panel installation should come with a projection of the savings you will make, and that'll have been independently verified by the EVPS. Typically, at current electricity prices, a 10-panel system with one battery would cost around £13,000 and, over 25 years, would average savings of £40,420.
Should you buy cheap solar panels?
It depends in what sense. Polycrystalline panels are cheaper than monocrystalline as they are easier to make. The downside is they're nowhere near as efficient, so you would need many more panels for the same power output. If you have the space, it may be a solution, but it wouldn't work for most domestic solar installations.
Also, cheaper monocrystalline panels may be made from inferior materials and therefore, would be more likely to sustain damage or start to develop faults earlier than they should.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
Much like any home improvement that can lead to a drop in day to day costs, solar is going to increase the value of your property. As far back as 2013, the government published a report claiming UK homeowners could increase the value of their home by up to 14%.
Insurance giant, Admiral, also commissioned a report in 2025 that found house prices increased by up to 25% when they included a solar energy system. For this statistic, they surveyed 2000 UK homeowners' perceptions of energy-saving measures and then used Rightmove data to showcase how the most popular renewable home improvements impact a home's value.
It's likely that the last 3 years of fuel scarcity, rising bills and cost of living crisis have increased that percentage to what it is now.
Are there any solar panel grants available?
Yes, please see below for financial aid options for solar panels.
0% VAT on Domestic Installations
You will not be charged VAT on any solar energy installations in the UK. In 2022, the UK Government introduced zero-rate VAT as part of Zero Carbon. This is currently in place until March 2027.
Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) Scheme
ECO4 could help you to apply for solar panel grants anytime over the next four years. Depending on your circumstances, you could get access to fully funded solar panels for home installation.
The LA Flex Scheme
This scheme is an extension of ECO4. LA Flex is short for Local Authority Flexible Eligibility, which means that you can apply to your local authority to secure a loan for domestic solar installations.
The Green Deal
The Green Deal Finance Company now offer loans for certain energy-efficient home improvements. Which? Tell us you can still get loans to fund energy-efficient changes in your home and pay the money back through your energy bills.
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
If you want to sell energy back to the national grid, you'll need to set up an SEG with your energy provider. The price you'll get per kWh will be set by them and will be significantly less than the price you pay them for your energy, but that extra energy will just go to waste if you don't have an SEG, so it's always recommended.
Are solar panel costs tax deductible?
Unfortunately, solar panel costs aren't tax-deductible for homeowners, but they do qualify for 0% VAT until March 2027, so the upfront cost is reduced.
What are the hidden costs associated with solar panel ownership?
At Solar Fast, we're always transparent about what to expect with solar installations, whether we're talking costs or timeframes. Therefore, there are no hidden costs with us, but costs that could arise include maintenance fees (especially if you haven't pigeon proofed your panels), inverter replacement from 10 years and cleaning charges. Removal and re-installation will also apply if you move home or need roof work.
The cost of solar panel disposal and recycling
After removing your panels, the most ethical way to dispose of them is by recycling them. This process can cost between £20-£40 per panel in the UK, which covers safe removal, transport and processing. However, do check all recycling schemes and the manufacturer to see if they offer a take-back programme, as this could reduce costs.
Finding reputable solar panel installers and their pricing structures is the first step in your renewable energy journey. At Wickes Solar, we have a team of dedicated installers who are here to guide you in every step of your solar panel installation. If you found this article helpful, discover our tips on cleaning your solar panels.
