The Independent’s journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?
Solar panels use the sun’s power to generate free, renewable electricity, and they’re a popular choice for those wanting to stop relying on fossil fuels. While it used to take around 14 years to break even with the best solar panels, systems installed in 2024 could pay for themselves in under 10 years or less if you use a solar battery.
More and more homeowners are switching to solar to save on energy bills: in 2023, there were 229,618 solar panel installations in the UK compared to just 172,020 in 2022[1]. In this guide, we’ll outline how solar panels work, whether or not they’re right for you, and how much you can expect to save if you install them.
Complete our short form to request solar quotes for your home
Get free, no obligation quotes from up to 5 local solar installers
Compare quotes and pick the option that best suits your needs
The average cost of a solar panel system in the UK for a three-bedroom house is £9,100 with a solar battery and around £7,100 without a battery.
Yes, solar panels for homes are worth the investment if you can afford them – you’ll benefit from significantly reduced energy bills, as well as lowering your carbon footprint.
Yes, solar panels are highly efficient in the UK and can even generate electricity on cloudy days and throughout the winter months.
On average, solar panels break even after 12 years, but some can pay back within 10 years, or even less if you install a solar battery. The exact length of time will depend on the initial cost, the size of the system and your home’s location.
Yes, as long as the system is powerful enough to cover your usage.
That depends on the size of your roof and the system you want to install. Read on for more information on determining the size of the system you need and the space it will require.
Most small-scale domestic solar panel systems in the UK qualify for permitted development rights, which means you won’t require planning permission. Some houses, however – such as listed buildings, those in conservation areas or World Heritage sites – will require planning permission, so make sure you check this before committing to buying solar panels.
A solar panel, also known as a photovoltaic (PV) panel, is a collection of solar cells that convert daylight into useable electricity or heat. How your system does this depends on the type of solar panel you choose.
There are two types of solar panels:
Monocrystalline cells. These tend to be more energy-efficient, so you’ll need fewer panels to meet your energy needs, compared with their less expensive counterparts, polycrystalline panels. Monocrystalline cells are popular with consumers who want their solar panels to look good, as their simple construction results in a sleek design. As the name suggests, their cells are made from a single crystal of silicon, hence the name ‘monocrystalline’.
Polycrystalline cells. While these panels are cheaper, they are around 13 to 16 per cent less efficient than monocrystalline panels. Polycrystalline cells also have a shorter lifespan than monocrystalline cells and, because they involve more panels, take up more roof space. The cells are made of multiple silicon crystals which are melted (rather than cut) into squares that connect to form a solar panel.
Thin-film cells. The least energy-efficient of the three types (at around 7 per cent efficiency), thin-film solar panels require less material to make and are the cheapest option. Because of their lower efficiency, we usually only recommend them for large-scale commercial or industrial solar developments; they also degrade quicker than crystalline cells, so they’re not usually used in domestic setups.
While solar PV panels tend to be the most popular solar option for powering homes, another option is solar thermal panels. Both methods use the sun’s power, but while a PV panel converts that power into electricity, a thermal panel uses the sun to heat a fluid, usually water in an immersion heater, space heater or water tank. We break down more of the differences in the table below.
| Solar thermal panels | Solar PV panels | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary use | Heating fluid using the sun, such as the water in space and water heaters, or in swimming pools[2] | Generating electricity using the sun |
| Efficiency in cloudy weather | More efficient than solar PV panels, even in overcast or windy weather. Efficiency can be 90%[3] | Around 15-20% for monocrystalline, and 13-16% for polycrystalline |
| Installation cost | £2,500 – £5,400[4] | Around £8,200 – £10,000 |
| Maintenance | Higher maintenance due to more parts and the circulation of fluid[5] | Low maintenance, just some cleaning of panels required |
| Energy storage | Tank needed to store the water that gets heated[6] | Battery storage allows for SEG payments |
| Best for | Homes with high hot water demand | Powering homes with solar energy |
| Lifespan | Up to 20 years[7] | Upwards of 30 years |
Simply put, solar panels are installed on a home’s roof. A solar inverter converts power from the panels into electricity for the home, and an optional solar battery can store excess electricity to be used at a later time. You may choose to pair your solar system with a smart meter – a device that can track your energy consumption in real time.
Grid-connected. This kind of solar panel system is connected to the National Grid. If your panels generate less electricity than your home requires, you’ll have instant access to power from the grid, which means you’ll never be without electricity. Should your system generate more electricity than your home needs, this energy can be exported back to the grid via your energy supplier for a profit. To take advantage of this, you’ll need to be signed up to the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), which is only possible if you have your system installed by an MCS-certified installer.
Stand-alone. Stand-alone solar panel systems are not connected to the National Grid. These types of systems are most common in remote locations where connection to the grid isn’t possible. During daylight hours, stand-alone PV panels generate electricity that can be used to power your home, storing any excess electricity in solar batteries. Due to the cost of solar batteries, stand-alone systems are more expensive than grid-connected systems.
Solar battery storage systems are designed to store the excess energy generated by your solar panels. You can then use this surplus energy to power your home at times in the day when your panels are not generating any electricity, at night or in cloudy or low-light conditions, for example.
Solar batteries are a good idea for people who don’t want to rely on grid electricity, and it means you won’t be unaffected by local power cuts. However, a solar battery will set you back around £4,000, on top of your initial solar panel system investment.
One of the best ways to utilise the energy from your solar system is to run your most energy-draining appliances during the times of day when your solar panels generate the most power. This could mean running high-power appliances, such as washing machines or dishwashers, in the middle of the day. So you don’t waste time planning this every day, you can use apps and/or smart home systems to schedule certain appliances to run during these hours.
A solar panel diverter redirects excess energy from solar panels to other appliances – most commonly an immersion heater. This means your boiler won’t have to work quite as hard, allowing you to save even more money on your energy bills (up to £630 per year, on average). A PV diverter will typically need replacing after about 12 years.
While they come at a high upfront cost, domestic solar panels have an average lifespan of 25 years, and some premium models can last even longer. This means that you should break even on your initial investment long before you need to think about replacing your system.
As well as saving on your energy bills, you can earn money by selling your unused solar energy back to the National Grid through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme. By offloading this surplus power to the grid, you can recoup your initial investment faster.
Before investing, you should consider the pros and cons of solar panels. When it comes to their benefits, solar panels can:
Yes, solar panels work in the UK, despite the country’s reputation for being cloudy and rainy. Although sunlight availability affects solar panel efficiency, panels don’t need direct sunshine to generate electricity; they can also produce power under cloudy conditions through diffuse sunlight.
The UK receives enough annual sunlight to make solar power highly viable. Its solar capacity has grown significantly over the years, from just 1,288 MW in 2000 to 1.2 million in 2022[9]. Solar panels are designed to be effective in various conditions. Many systems include technologies to maximise efficiency regardless of weather.
Additionally, solar panels tend to operate more efficiently in cooler temperatures, so the UK’s less intense sun exposure can actually be a bonus in comparison with hotter climates.
With over 1.7 million homes now equipped with solar panels[10], the UK is seeing a rapid increase in adoption. But which places are the best to harness solar energy?
The team at Independent Advisor Solar Panels has uncovered the UK solar hotspots, scoring each region out of 10 based on:
| Rank | Location | Households with installations (2023/24) | Installed capacity (kWh) of solar PV panels | Average annual sunshine hours (1991-2020) | Solar hotspot score /10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pembrokeshire | 2.54% | 207,800 | 1,664 | 9.17 |
| 2 | Dorset | 1.30% | 333,568 | 1,904 | 9.16 |
| 3 | Cornwall | 1.56% | 612,215 | 1,732 | 9.11 |
| 4 | Wiltshire | 1.63% | 554,300 | 1,699 | 9.00 |
| 5 | Wealden | 1.71% | 83,623 | 1,748 | 8.99 |
| 6 | Chichester | 1.30% | 77,410 | 1,919 | 8.76 |
| 7 | Isle of Anglesey | 4.21% | 42,300 | 1,675 | 8.56 |
| 8 | Canterbury | 1.16% | 113,020 | 1,737 | 8.42 |
| 8 | East Hampshire | 1.69% | 52,500 | 1,706 | 8.42 |
| 10 | West Suffolk | 1.05% | 150,756 | 1,742 | 8.30 |
While solar power can be generated even in cloudy conditions, sunnier areas can exploit it better.
| Rank | Location | Average annual sunshine hours (1991-2020) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isle of Wight | 1,976 |
| 2 | Chichester | 1,919 |
| 3 | Hastings | 1,914 |
| 4 | Dorset | 1,904 |
| 5 | Brighton and Hove | 1,892 |
| 5 | Eastbourne | 1,892 |
| 7 | Southend-on-Sea | 1,884 |
| 8 | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | 1,779 |
| 9 | Gosport | 1,772 |
| 9 | Havant | 1,772 |
| 9 | Portsmouth | 1,772 |
| Rank | Location | Solar PV installations (2018/19) | Solar PV installations (2023/24) | Year-on-year percentage change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mid Ulster | 10 | 153 | 1,430% |
| 2 | Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon | 25 | 359 | 1,336% |
| 3 | Liverpool | 113 | 1,115 | 887% |
| 4 | Newry, Mourne and Down | 41 | 390 | 851% |
| 5 | Rossendale | 38 | 338 | 789% |
| 6 | Wirral | 115 | 1,004 | 773% |
| 7 | North Tyneside | 88 | 752 | 755% |
| 8 | Stevenage | 40 | 327 | 718% |
| 9 | Causeway Coast and Glens | 26 | 212 | 715% |
| 10 | Fermanagh and Omagh | 8 | 64 | 700% |
Using data from the MCS’s Data Dashboard, we revealed the areas in the UK with the most and fewest solar installations.
We looked at the percentage of households with solar PV installations between 2023 and 2024 by English local authority, Scottish council area, Welsh county, and Northern Irish local government district.
We also used this data to show which areas have had the most significant average yearly increase in solar installations between 2018 and 2019. All data was collected on 21/03/2024 and is correct as of then.
We used ONS data on Regional Renewable Statistics to find the solar capacity in different UK areas and regions.
We then used the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery (LAD) and Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) data to source solar panel installations as a percentage of total homes upgraded for all scheme applications to the end of December 2023.
We used Met Office Data to find the average annual sunshine hours in UK areas over 30 years (1991-2020).
In addition, we used Solar Power Portal data to show the ten biggest solar farms in the UK.
Cost may well be one of the biggest factors influencing your decision, but there are some other important aspects to consider when deciding whether solar panels are right for you, including…
The angle of your roof matters when it comes to installing solar panels, as it can impact their efficiency and how much electricity they will produce. The geographical location of your home is also important.
The optimal angle is between 30 and 40 degrees; studies suggest that solar panels at these angles maximise sunlight exposure and subsequently generate more electricity. You’ll also need to consider which way your roof is facing, as in the UK, south-facing solar panels will generate the most energy and save you the most on your energy bills.
The table below shows the likely efficiency of solar panels according to their orientation and the tilt of the roof they’re installed on. The percentages in the table show the efficiency you can expect.
After determining your roof’s angle and orientation, you should assess how many hours a day (and at what time) your roof is shaded.
To get the most out of your solar panel system, your roof should not be shaded during peak sunlight hours; in the UK, this is between 10am and 4pm. If your roof is shaded during this time, you may not be able to generate enough electricity to power your home.
Installing solar panels for your home is only a lucrative investment if you actually have enough space on your roof for the number of panels you’ll need. Our researchers found that the average UK household requires a 4kW system, meaning you’ll need around 29 square metres of available roof space.
Unsurprisingly, solar panels add a considerable amount of extra weight to your roof. It’s easy to check how much each panel weighs before you make any big purchasing decisions, as manufacturers disclose this information on their product specification sheets.
As an estimate, though, we’ve calculated that the average solar panel system – based on a typical UK household requiring a 4kW system made up of 16 panels – could weigh up to 280kg.
Deciding which solar panels are right for you will depend on your energy consumption, budget, installation requirements and more. When we reviewed a range of solar panels, the best options had to have efficiency ratings of over 20 per cent and a solid power output upwards of 420W.
During our research into 13 of the country’s top solar panel manufacturers, we considered factors such as efficiency, reliability and power output to determine the highest-quality options out there. In the end, we chose the Project Solar UK Evolution Titan 445 panels as the best on the market by these metrics.
When it comes to choosing solar panels, bear in mind the factors below.
For a typical UK family living in a three-bedroom semi-detached house with an energy use of around 3,000kW of energy a year, a 4kW solar system should be suitable. Without adding a battery, this system would cost about £7,100; with a battery, the total goes up to £9,100.
The cost of solar panels will vary depending on your region, energy consumption, house size, the installer and manufacturer you choose and whether you decide to add on a solar battery (which can increase your energy savings by up to 90 per cent, but is more expensive than a system without) or a diverter.
Looking to switch to solar, but unsure how many solar panels you need to power your home? This short explainer video gives you a simple formula to work out your solar needs.
Solar panels are a long-term investment for your home that won’t pay out in a few short years. But in the long run, solar panels won’t just pay for themselves, they could even turn you a healthy profit, too.
The SEG is a government incentive which allows UK homeowners with a solar panel system to sell their unused solar panel energy back to the National Grid in return for payments. Lots of homeowners with solar panels opt in to SEG payments as a way to not only save money on energy bills by using their own solar-generated energy but to get paid at the same time.
The tables below are examples of what you could save on your energy bills based on a 3.5kW system. These figures are from the Energy Savings Trust and based on electricity prices as of May 2024.
While there are plenty of benefits to installing solar panels, there’s no denying that the initial investment is costly. You’ll see savings on your energy bills very quickly once your system is installed, but it’ll take longer for you to break even on your initial cost.
Including a solar storage battery in your purchase is another way to reduce your break-even point, although it will increase your initial investment. A solar battery allows you to store electricity to use whenever you need it, including times where there is no available daylight. According to our research, around 90 per cent of homeowners choose to include a solar battery in their purchase.
There are a few other factors that will affect how quickly your solar panels pay for themselves, including:
Break-even point based on system size and cost
| Property size | System size | Number of panels | System cost (inc. installation and battery) | Approximate savings (inc.SEG) | Break-even point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two bedrooms | 2kW | 5 | £7,100 | £480 | 12 – 13 years |
| Three bedrooms | 4kW | 10 | £9,100 | £960 | 9 – 10 years |
| Four or more bedrooms | 6kW | 15 | £10,100 | £1,440 | 6 – 7 years |
The UK’s continually fluctuating energy prices have a near-constant effect on the time it will take your solar panels to pay back. Higher energy prices mean that your system will pay for itself much quicker; lower energy prices, along with lower SEG tariffs, will have the opposite effect.
If you’re looking for solar panel grants and schemes to help with the cost of this considerable investment, there are plenty of options to check out. Government grants such as the ECO4 incentive offer free solar panels to eligible homes, and other schemes and funding options are also available – these are typically aimed at households receiving income support or other benefits.
Once you’ve decided to invest in solar panels and researched the best on the market, it’s time to look into the actual installation process. To help you do this, we’ve answered the most important questions below, as well as providing a step-by-step guide to installing a solar panel system.
In most cases, you won’t need to get planning permission to install a solar panel system. This is because they are provided for under the General Permitted Development Order. However, if you live in a Grade II listed building or want to install the panels on the ground rather than on your roof, you’ll likely need planning permission.
A 2021 government-commissioned report suggests that 61 per cent of participants who were considering solar panels would be more likely to invest in them if the installation process were easier. Fifty-five per cent were also concerned about the ongoing maintenance of panels as a “further potential burden”. However, almost all participants who had installed solar panels (95 per cent) reported that in actuality, the installation was easy.
Step 1: Scaffolding goes up
A day or two before installation begins, a team will put up scaffolding around your house. This allows the installation team safe access to your roof and is a legal requirement. To avoid any unexpected fees, make sure the cost of the scaffolding is included in your initial quote.
Step 2: Roof team turns up
Once the scaffolding is safe and secure, your roof team will arrive with your solar panels. At this point, you should check that they have brought the correct panels: you can do this by locating the sticker on the back, which outlines the model number, make and output.
Step 3: The anchors are attached
To fix the solar panels to your home’s roof, your installer will first need to attach anchors. These are brackets that hold the rails on which your panels will be mounted. The team will first remove a roof tile for each anchor and screw the anchor brackets into your roof’s rafters. Tiles can then be slotted back in as normal and rest on the long arms of the anchors.
Step 4: Solar panel rails are installed
The frame for your solar panel system is made of lightweight aluminium rails, which are cut on-site by your installer to fit the size of your roof. The rails will be fixed to each anchor bracket and secured with two bolts running vertically and horizontally across the roof to form a frame, on which your panels will sit.
Step 5: Solar panels are installed
At this point, your roof has been prepared and your solar panels can be installed. Each unit will be mounted to the roof frame via a clamp. Once your installer is certain your panels are in the correct positions and are placed at optimal angles, they can be secured and tightened.
Step 6: The electrics are set up
The final step requires a certified electrician, who will connect your pre-wired panels to your solar inverter. Usually installed in your loft, the inverter is responsible for converting the direct current (DC) electricity that’s generated by your solar panels into the useable alternating current (AC) electricity that will power your home.
Now that you know what to expect from the process, it’s time to look for an MCS-accredited installer. The Microgeneration Certificate Scheme is an accreditation that quality-assures renewable technology’s products and installers. The MCS was government-owned up until 2018 and, to date, has certified more than 4,000 contractors in the UK.
The MCS scheme isn’t mandatory. However, by choosing an MCS-accredited installer, you can be confident they have the experience needed to do the job well. You should also note that in order for your solar system to benefit from SEG payments (the scheme which allows you to sell surplus energy back to the grid), your installer must be MCS accredited.
The new solar panel installation should be registered by the contractor on the MCS Installation Database no later than 10 working days after the work has been commissioned.
It takes up to six weeks from the first inquiry to energy generation. An installation typically takes four to five hours, including connection. As long as there’s enough light left once the installation is finished, your panels can start generating energy immediately.
As with any new investment or purchase, sometimes knowing where to look – or which manufacturers you can trust – is the hardest part.
That’s why we’ve spent hundreds of hours researching different companies, manufacturers and solar panels to find out which brands can be trusted – and which ones are most worthy of your investment. You’ll find them all revealed in our lists of the best regional solar panel installers and the best national solar panel installers in the UK.
[1] MCS, 2023: A record-breaking year for MCS and small-scale renewables, 8 January 2024.
[2] Solar Tech Advisor, Solar PV vs Solar Thermal: What’s the Difference?, February 2022.
[3] Ibid, 2.
[4] Solar Guide, Solar PV vs Solar Thermal.
[5] Ibid, 2.
[6] Spirit Energy, Solar Thermal vs Solar PV.
[7] Ibid, 2.
[8] Energy Saving Trust, Solar panels.
[9] MCS, The MCS Data Dashboard.
[10] Statista, Cumulative installed solar PV capacity worldwide from 2000 to 2022, 11 October 2023.
How long do solar panels last?
This will depend on your specific home insurance policy, but you should be aware of the following points:
It’s important to regularly keep up with solar panel cleaning and maintenance throughout your system’s lifespan. Luckily, solar panels are fairly low maintenance and you only need to check on them around once a year.
To maximise your panels’ lifespan, essential maintenance includes:
The average household in the UK requires around 16 solar panels, which equates to a 4kW system. The exact number required, though, will depend on household size and energy consumption.
A solar panel system can power an entire household, so long as the amount of energy it generates is enough to meet the household’s consumption. Adding a solar battery can help, as you can store excess energy produced during the day for times when the panels aren’t generating electricity (usually at night).
Homes with solar panels need a good amount of direct sunlight to operate at maximum efficiency. However, solar panels do work during the winter months, as well as on cloudy days. If they’re not generating enough electricity to power your property, you can turn to the National Grid to make up the shortfall.
Living off-grid essentially means generating all of your required power independently, without relying on public utility services for things like water and electricity. Installing a solar panel system large enough to cover your household’s energy needs is one step towards off-grid, along with installing small wind turbines and using non-centralised water sources.
Off-grid living is certainly a way to live more sustainably, as well as being unaffected by issues like power cuts and rising energy bills. However, it’s an expensive option that requires time, energy and space; enough roof space to install the right amount of solar panels, for instance. Additionally, if you wanted to sell your unused energy back to the National Grid and increase your savings this way, this would prevent stop your household from being truly off-grid.
Solar thermal panels, sometimes known as solar thermal collectors, are roof-mounted panels that harness sunlight to heat water. The water is then stored in a cylinder and used to heat your home’s water and interior spaces.
Solar thermal panels can provide up to 90 per cent of your home’s hot water requirements in summer, save you between £135 and £255 on your energy bill and prevent up to 930kg of greenhouse-gas emissions every year.
This also means that, should you decide to sell your home, you could recuperate nearly half of your initial solar investment.
Yes, you do need to notify your electricity supplier if you install solar panels. Usually, your installer will register your system with your Distribution Network Operator at the time of installation. Be sure to check who this responsibility lies with before the installation goes ahead.
Simply put, no. Cheaper solar panels tend to be less efficient and have a shorter lifespan than premium models. This means your panels probably won’t generate enough electricity to meet your home’s needs, so you’ll save less money overall. They also might not last as long, so you’d need to replace them much sooner than if you’d opted for a superior system.
As well as driving down your energy bills and earning you money through SEG payments, solar panels can also increase the value of your home. Research conducted by FirstPort in 2023 found that potential buyers are seeking eco-friendly features, and they’re willing to pay, on average, £2,038 more for a home with solar panels already installed.
