If you’ve recently been considering installing solar panels on your home, one of the first questions that you may have already asked yourself is how much it is all going to cost to get them installed. You’ve probably also wondered how many panels you’re going to need for the project. For example, will a 12-panel system be sufficient? Plus, another common question that most people ask is roughly how long it will take for you to recover the initial cost.
The following guide was designed to answer all these burning questions, including key things like average costs for UK homeowners in 2026 for solar panels, how much cash you can potentially save, important things you need to be aware of regarding specific grants, VAT information, and further guidance on installation and export payments.
Unlike a government grant application, Spartek is a private solar installer, meaning that if you should decide to go ahead with a quote from us, the solar panels and installation would be self-funded. You may find that your home qualifies for either local government or local authority schemes, or that your energy supplier can offer you support. However, these grants are separate from arranging a standard solar installation directly with a private installer.
Average solar panel costs in the UK
Key factors such as the size, the types of panels and inverters that you decide to go for, your roof, how accessible the property is, and the difficulty of the job will determine the overall cost of your solar PV system.
According to Energy Saving Trust, the average cost of a domestic solar PV system will set you back somewhere in the region of around £7,600 for a typical system of around 4.5kWp.
As a general guide, you will likely come across the following prices:
| System size | Approx. number of panels | Typical installed cost |
|---|---|---|
| 3kWp | 7–9 panels | £4,500–£6,000 |
| 4kWp | 10–12 panels | £5,500–£7,000 |
| 5kWp | 12–14 panels | £6,500–£8,500 |
Don’t forget that these prices aren’t fixed. They should give you a rough idea as to how much the job will cost, and we can provide a far more accurate quote after carrying out a property survey.
So, exactly how much do 12 solar panels cost?
Without a battery, a fully installed 12-panel system can set you back, on average, anywhere from £5,000 to £7,000. This is usually for a 4kWp to 5kWp system, but it all depends on the individual panels’ wattage; the total cost can end up being higher based on the factors already mentioned, such as the roof type, accessibility, equipment, and other installation requirement factors.
Another useful benchmark for you provided by Energy Saving Trust is that the average price for a typical 4.5kWP domestic system costs around £7,600. It’s worth comparing quotes, but also to remember that just because the quote comes back cheaper, it may not have factored in things like inverters, panels, warranties, scaffolding, and other necessary installation requirements.
Is there 0% VAT on solar panels?
Indeed, there is currently 0% VAT on energy saving materials. In other words, solar panels and other qualifying energy-saving materials in Great Britain are currently eligible for 0% VAT when installed in residential accommodation. However, it’s important to remember that this current 0% VAT rate will only run until March 31, 2027.
It’s also worth noting that the 0% VAT isn’t a grant, and in order to receive it, you won’t need to apply to any local authorities or the government. If your project qualifies, the chosen installer who you decide to go with will apply the correct VAT rate to the work they carry out to complete your project.
If certain conditions have been met, another thing that can qualify for VAT relief is battery storage.
How many solar panels do I need to power a house?
It can vary. In other words, there isn’t a fixed number of panels for a particular house size. For example, the ideal system depends on several factors, such as how much space you have available on your roof, your typical electricity usage, how much electricity you use during daylight hours, the direction your roof is facing, and so on, but with most three- to four-bed houses, you’re looking at a reasonable starting point of around 10 to 14 panels.
Another useful benchmark for you is that Energy Saving Trust puts the average 4.5kWp domestic solar panel system at requiring 12 panels. To provide you with a more accurate answer on the number of panels you will require for your project, you will need a solar survey, rather than basing the number on things like how many bedrooms you have.
Can 12 solar panels power a house?
Despite being able to generate a fair amount of your home’s energy needs, installing just 12 solar panels won’t necessarily be able to provide enough power.
During daylight hours is when your panels will generate electricity, but various other previously mentioned factors such as shading and the direction your roof is facing, as well as the weather and the time of year, can determine the output of the panels. Don’t forget that even when the panels aren’t generating electricity, such as nighttime, most homes are still using a significant amount of energy.
Here is where adding a solar battery can also come in really handy. Batteries are designed to store energy that your panels have generated throughout the daylight hours, which can be used at nighttime, meaning you won’t be relying on getting your energy needs from the grid, but instead from your batteries.
The goal may be to entirely become completely independent from the UK energy grid. Instead, a far more realistic and achievable target for most homeowners in the United Kingdom is to simply dramatically reduce how much energy they need to buy by generating more of their own electricity.
Are solar panels really worth the investment?
Yes. A properly working system is worth the initial investment. The upfront purchase is the highest cost, and one of the main factors in deciding whether to embark on a project like this is the potential return.
Deciding to go with solar panels for your energy needs at home brings with it two main financial benefits, including the ability to use your own electricity provided by energy harnessed from the sun’s rays, and getting paid for surplus electricity.
- Using your own solar electricity
Any electricity that your panels generate can be used to provide power for all of your home’s appliances and electrical equipment. Remember, every unit of energy that your solar panels generate is one less unit that you have to buy from your energy supplier, but the amount that you will save depends on how much solar generation you use directly, and how much your household uses.
You can increase the amount of solar electricity that you use yourself by using appliances during the daylight hours, and you can use batteries to store some of the energy that your panels generate during the daytime for your energy needs in the evening.
- Getting paid for surplus electricity
Don’t forget that it’s also possible to export the surplus energy that your panels generate to the energy grid when they generate more electricity than you actually need to power your home.
SEG (the Smart Export Guarantee) requires participating energy suppliers to pay eligible small-scale generators for electricity they export, and it’s also worth noting that suppliers set their own SEG rates and terms.
Therefore, the amount that you can receive will depend on two things: how much electricity your solar panel system sends to the grid, and which export tariff you decide to go for.
How long does it take solar panels to pay for themselves?
There isn’t just a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. In other words, there isn’t just one payback period that applies to every home with solar panel systems installed.
However, Energy Saving Trust’s latest figures, based on energy prices from July 2026 and including export payments, show estimated payback periods of around nine to 12 years across the UK locations it models.
The exact length of time that it will take your solar panels to pay for themselves can vary somewhat depending on various factors, such as the size of your system, the cost to install the solar panels, how much electricity you typically use, and the export tariff available to you.
Adding a battery also changes the initial investment cost, and how you use the electricity your panels generate, so remember to include this in any personalised calculation.
Can I install solar panels myself?
While it is possible to purchase solar equipment yourself, installing a complete rooftop solar PV system isn’t a straightforward DIY job and requires specialist planning and execution.
For example, there are many key considerations worth noting, most importantly, the safety, structural, and electrical requirements. Another consideration relates to actually connecting your system to the main grid/electricity network.
Any electrical work that’s carried out must also comply with the relevant Building Regulations requirements, including where applicable, Part B. Your project might also be required to meet the relevant G98 or G99 requirements for connection to the Distribution Network Operator. It all depends on the type of system that you decide to go for, and how big or small it is.
Another key thing to consider is export payments and certification. For example, your installation would need to meet the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme’s eligibility requirements if you’re hoping to receive SEG payments.
Ofgem’s guidance requires appropriate certification for eligible installations, with MCS certification being the standard route for domestic solar installations.
Using a [Microgeneration Certification Scheme] MCS-certified installer also gives you the appropriate certification and documentation for your installation.
Regulations: do I need my neighbour’s permission?
Solar panel systems in the United Kingdom can be installed under permitted development rules for most houses, meaning a full planning application typically isn’t required.
However, there are some exceptions and conditions to this, mainly with regard to listed buildings, conservation areas, and other properties that fall under some form of protection. Furthermore, depending on exactly where in the UK you are based (England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland) will determine exactly what the planning rules are in that area.
At the end of the day, you generally won’t ever need your neighbour’s permission just to install solar panels at home on your own roof.
With that in mind, if the building is shared with neighbours, it has a party wall, leasehold arrangement or any other legal issue that is connected to the property, complications can arise. Therefore, the company that you choose to install your solar system should identify any planning or property issues that need to be considered before they go ahead with the install.
Lifespan: what happens after 25 years?
After a period of 25 years, your solar panels won’t simply stop working. This timescale typically refers to things like expected working life and panel performance warranties. Over time, the output potential of solar panels can gradually diminish, instead of suddenly stopping working when they reach a certain age.
Today’s solar panels have come a long way. In fact, they are quite capable of producing electricity long after the suggested 25-year timescale, but as mentioned, their output will have reduced compared with when they were new 25 years ago.
Another thing worth noting is that your inverter will likely need replacing after around half of this time, so when they are roughly 12 years old, although this exact timescale varies somewhat depending on the equipment and installation.
All of this is worth considering when comparing the cost of solar panels with the potential long-term amount of savings you can make.
It isn’t true that houses with solar panels are automatically harder to sell
However, issues can arise in situations where paperwork for the solar installation can’t be found. Issues are also more likely to arise if there is an outstanding finance or lease agreement attached to the panels or if the system wasn’t properly certified or fitted, or it isn’t working due to countless faults.
Therefore, it’s always best to ensure that you keep a record of your installation, including certificates, guarantees, warranties, and other relevant paperwork, so if anyone wants to buy the property and their solicitor wants to see that everything’s in order, it is readily available for them.
Solar can also form part of wider energy-efficiency improvements, including improving your home’s EPC rating.
There are a handful of reasons why someone who has had solar panels installed onto their building or property may decide to have them removed.
For example, they may simply be replacing an existing solar system, getting a new roof, or carrying out some kind of other major building work. Having them removed doesn’t automatically mean that the original installation wasn’t any use to the property. In certain circumstances, for example, solar panels may need to be temporarily removed to allow for other building work to be safely carried out.
The main consideration tends to be the initial upfront cost.
Solar panels also generate electricity during daylight hours, whereas household electricity use is typically much higher in the evening. Although a battery can significantly help with this, it adds to the initial cost.
The amount of electricity a system generates can also be affected by roof orientation, shading, available space and seasonal changes in sunlight, which is why a proper property assessment is more useful than choosing a system based solely on how many bedrooms your home has.
Solar grants and private solar installations
Another key consideration is to understand the difference between privately purchasing solar panels and ones that are funded partly by government support.
In the UK, there isn’t just one specific type of nationwide government grant that all homeowners can app for to pay for their solar panels. With that said, it is often possible to secure funding through various sources, such as via your energy suppliers, local authorities, and other government schemes. This all depends on where you live and your current circumstances.
The Energy Saving Trust recommends getting in touch with your energy supplier to see if they have any further support available because schemes like this are typically separate from your standard private solar installation.
Spartek, for example, is a private installer. If you decide to seek a quote from Spartek, you will be requesting a price for a privately funded solar installation rather than applying for a government grant.
Always check the terms of the specific scheme before committing to any work, especially if you think you may qualify for funding. You will find that some schemes have their own application processes and approved installer requirements. Also, don’t forget that the 0% VAT rate isn’t the same as a grant. If the installation does qualify, instead of money being paid towards the installation by the government, it’s a VAT relief applied by the installer.
Conclusion and next steps
Although solar panels are a significant part of the upfront investment, they can greatly reduce the amount of electricity you buy from the grid, and they will allow you to earn money from surplus electricity through the Smart Export Guarantee.
For a typical three- or four-bedroom home, around 10 to 14 panels may be suitable, although the right system depends on your actual electricity usage and property.
The current 0% VAT rate for qualifying installations can also reduce the cost of going solar, although the current relief is due to run until 31 March 2027.
If you’re considering solar, the next step is to find out what would actually work for your property rather than relying on an average UK price.
Request a free bespoke solar quote from Spartek to discuss your requirements and get a system designed around your home.
