How to buy solar panels in the UK

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I recently invested in solar panels for our new house, something I couldn’t do in our previous house and something I was itching to do when we moved.

Here’s what they look like:

Yes, they’re massive and take up the whole roof space.

No, I didn’t know how big they would be.

Hence this guide.

I’m sure you think of solar panels as an eco-friendly investment that can help you save money on your energy bills in the long run. While that’s true, there are lots of things to consider depending on your house, location, aspect, the different tech available, and the ins-and-outs of the actual buying process.

To help, here’s a factual step-by-step guide on how to buy solar panels in the UK, along with price ranges and estimated timeframes for each stage. I’m writing this while it’s fresh in my mind, adding in where I can the helpful advice from our installer.

Before you begin: Understanding the basics

How solar panels work in the UK

Solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into electricity through photovoltaic (PV) cells. Over 1.4 million homes in the UK already use solar panels, and the government is actively promoting their adoption. Even on cloudy days (which we have plenty of!), modern solar panels generate electricity, though output is higher in direct sunlight.

Average costs in 2025

Current solar panel installation costs in the UK range from £4,000 to £10,000 for a standard residential installation. A typical 3-4kW system for an average UK home costs around £5,000-£7,000. The good news? There’s currently 0% VAT on solar panels, batteries, and other renewable energy products, allowing for a discount of up to £2,850 on the purchase of a 4kW solar system, though this is set to change to 5% VAT from March 2027.

Understanding your roof suitability

Solar panels work particularly well on roof areas that face south and are not shaded by trees or other buildings. East or west facing systems also work, and some solar systems can use ‘optimisers’ to reduce the impact of shading. Before you start, use the Government’s Home Energy Assessment tool to see if solar panels are right for your home.

Stage 1: Research and education (1-2 weeks)

Types of solar panels available

Start by researching the different types of solar panels:

Monocrystalline panels: Most efficient (18-22% efficiency) and space-efficient, but more expensive. These are dark black in appearance and work well in low-light conditions.

Polycrystalline panels: Slightly less efficient (15-17% efficiency) but more affordable. These have a blue hue and represent a good middle ground.

Thin-film panels: Least efficient but most flexible and lightweight. These are rarely used in residential installations in the UK.

For UK homes, monocrystalline panels are typically the best choice due to our weather conditions and the need to maximise output from limited roof space.

Understanding your energy needs

Review your past 12 months of electricity bills to understand your consumption. The average UK household uses around 2,900-3,400 kWh per year. You’ll want to calculate:

Your daily energy usage
When you use most energy (daytime vs evening)
Your annual electricity costs
How much roof space you have available

The Energy Saving Trust solar calculator can help you estimate potential savings.

Government schemes and incentives

Research the financial support available:

Smart Export Guarantee (SEG): Under the Smart Export Guarantee, you will be paid for every unit of electricity that you feed back to the grid. Rates vary between suppliers, with the best rates reaching 15p/kWh and up to 28p/kWh during peak hours as of 2025.

ECO4 scheme: The ECO4 scheme helps low-income households across England, Wales, and Scotland by offering grant money for solar panels and other energy-saving improvements. This scheme runs until March 2026 and has helped over 47,000 homes receive solar panels as of July 2025.

Warm Homes Plan: Launching from April 2025, this offers funding for new solar installations to social housing residents, lower-income householders, and renters, with grants of up to £30,000 for home improvement projects.

Check GOV.UK’s Clean Energy homepage for the latest schemes and use Ofgem’s questionnaire to check your eligibility for ECO4.

Finding reputable installers

Research local solar panel installers using:

MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) database – this is essential
Which? Trusted Traders
Trustpilot and Google reviews
Recommendations from neighbours who have solar panels

Critical: Only use MCS-certified installers. As of January 2024, the MCS has certified more than 3,300 solar installers. MCS certification is mandatory to access most SEG tariffs and government schemes.

Stage 2: Site assessment (1-2 weeks)

Getting professional assessments

Contact at least three MCS-certified installers for free site assessments. During these visits, installers will:

Measure your roof dimensions and calculate available space
Assess your roof’s structural integrity and condition
Check roof orientation and shading throughout the day
Evaluate your existing electrical system
Examine your property’s grid connection point
Review your electricity usage patterns
Discuss whether you need scaffolding access

What to ask installers

During site visits, ask:

Are you MCS-certified? (Check their certificate number on MCS’s website)
What’s the estimated annual energy generation for my property?
Which panel brands do you recommend and why?
What warranties are offered on panels, inverters, and workmanship?
Will I need any electrical upgrades?
What’s included in the price (scaffolding, DNO application, commissioning)?
How long will installation take?
What’s your process for the G98/G99 DNO application?

Understanding DNO requirements

When you install solar panels, you’ll need to connect them to the grid, and the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) is responsible for managing and approving the connection of your solar system.

G98 application: G98 applies to systems under 3.68kW per phase. You can install it straight away, and your installer will notify your DNO within 28 days. There’s no fee for G98 applications.

G99 application: G99 is needed for larger inverters or higher export capacity above 3.68kW per phase. This must be approved before installation. G99 applications can cost between £300-£750 and typically take 8-12 weeks, though recent responses have taken 4-6 months due to demand.

Find your DNO using your postcode on the Energy Networks Association website.

Stage 3: Get detailed quotes (1-2 weeks)

Requesting comprehensive quotes

Request written quotes from at least three installers. Each quote should include:

Full system specification (panel brand/model, quantity, total kW capacity)
Inverter details and capacity
Mounting system details
Generation meter specifications
Estimated annual energy production
Complete breakdown of costs
Warranties (typically 10-25 years for panels, 5-10 years for inverters)
Installation timeline
DNO application fees
Scaffolding costs
Any electrical upgrade costs
Payment terms

Price expectations

Quotes typically range from £4,000 to £10,000 for a standard residential installation. Here’s what different sizes might cost:

3kW system (10-12 panels): £4,000-£5,500
4kW system (12-16 panels): £5,000-£7,000
5kW system (16-20 panels): £6,500-£8,500
6kW+ system (20+ panels): £8,000-£10,000+

Remember, there’s currently 0% VAT on solar panel installations when the supply and installation are completed by the same provider, which should be factored into these prices until March 2027.

Comparing quotes

Don’t just choose the cheapest quote. Consider:

Quality of components: Premium panels may cost more but offer better efficiency and longer warranties
Installer reputation: Check reviews and previous customer feedback
Warranty coverage: Longer warranties provide better protection
After-sales service: What support is offered post-installation?
Payment terms: Some installers offer finance options

Consider using group-buying schemes like Solar Together, which can reduce costs through collective purchasing power.

Stage 4: Considering battery storage (1-2 weeks)

Why add a battery?

Typical customers with solar panels but without a battery storage system saved an average of £380 per year, whilst those equipped with a battery storage system saved an average of £840 annually. A battery allows you to store excess solar energy generated during the day for use in the evening when your panels aren’t producing.

Battery costs

Solar battery costs in the UK range between £2,500 and £10,000 depending on the chemical composition, life cycle, and storage capacity:

5kWh battery: £2,000-£4,600
10kWh battery: £6,500-£8,300
14kWh battery: £10,000-£12,900

There has been 0% VAT on solar storage batteries since February 2024, regardless of whether they are a standalone product or part of a solar panel system, though this will increase to 20% from April 2027.

Battery technology

Lithium-ion batteries (most common): Higher efficiency, longer lifespan (10-15 years), 70-90% usable capacity. Brands include Tesla Powerwall, GivEnergy, and LG Chem.

Lead-acid batteries (less common): Lower upfront cost but shorter lifespan (5-8 years) and only 50% usable capacity.

For most UK homes, lithium-ion is the better long-term investment despite higher initial costs.

Should you add a battery?

Consider adding a battery if:

You’re often out during the day and home in the evening
You want to maximise self-consumption
You want backup power during outages (some batteries offer this)
Electricity prices remain high or increase further
You plan to add an electric vehicle charger in future

You can always add a battery later, though installation costs may be slightly higher than installing with your panels initially.

Stage 5: Financing and payment (1-2 weeks)

Payment options

Upfront payment: Offers the best long-term value and shortest payback period (typically 8-12 years).

Green loans: Many banks and building societies offer loans specifically for renewable energy installations. Check with providers like:

Solar subscriptions: Some companies like Sunsave Plus offer solar panel subscriptions where you pay monthly rather than upfront, though total costs over time may be higher.

Grants and financial support

Check your eligibility for:

ECO4 scheme: For low-income households – Check eligibility via Ofgem
Local Authority Flex: Your local council may have additional support – contact them directly
Warm Homes: Local Grant: For energy efficiency upgrades – Apply via GOV.UK

For Scotland: Check Home Energy Scotland For Wales: Check Nest Warm Homes Programme For Northern Ireland: Check NI Direct energy advice

Stage 6: Planning permission and regulations (concurrent with other stages)

Do you need planning permission?

In most cases, you won’t need planning permission to install solar panels on your property. Solar installations are usually covered by permitted development rights. However, you will need planning permission if:

Listed buildings: You’ll need to apply for Listed Building Consent before you can get solar panels installed at a listed property, regardless of where you’re planning on putting them. Check if your property is listed on Historic England’s website.

Conservation areas: You can install solar panels in a conservation area in most cases, but some conservation areas have an Article 4 Direction applied to them, which may limit or remove permitted development rights. Check with your local planning authority.

Ground-mounted systems: You need to seek permission if the solar array is larger than 9 square metres, any part is taller than 4 metres, or the installation is within 5 metres of the property’s boundary.

Standard requirements for permitted development

Panels must not protrude more than 20 centimetres from the wall or roof slope, and the highest part of the equipment must not be higher than the highest part of the roof, not including the chimney.

Building regulations

All solar installations must comply with Building Regulations. Installers who are part of the Competent Persons Scheme handle compliance with these building regulations automatically. Your MCS-certified installer should be registered with a scheme like NAPIT or NICEIC, allowing them to self-certify the work.

For more information, visit the Planning Portal.

Stage 7: Installation (1-3 days)

What to expect during installation

A typical residential solar installation takes 1-2 days for a standard system, though larger or more complex installations may take 2-3 days.

Day 1: Scaffolding erection (if required), roof preparation, mounting frame installation, panel installation, initial wiring.

Day 2: Inverter installation, electrical connections, testing, generation meter installation, commissioning, and handover.

Installation checklist

On installation day, ensure:

Your installer has all necessary equipment and materials
Scaffolding is safely erected (if used)
Your electricity will be temporarily disconnected during final connections
Someone is home throughout the installation
Pets are secured away from the work area
The installer provides you with system documentation

Post-installation handover

Your installer should provide:

Full demonstration of your system
User manuals for all equipment
MCS certificate (within 10 working days)
Warranty documentation
System monitoring app setup
Contact details for support
Maintenance guidance

Certified installers must issue the MCS certificate directly to the customer within 10 days following the commissioning of the system.

Stage 8: Grid connection and DNO notification (concurrent with installation)

G98 process (systems under 3.68kW)

If your system is under 3.68kW per phase, your installer will notify your DNO within 28 days of commissioning. Installation can proceed immediately without waiting for approval. Most small residential systems fall under G98.

G99 process (systems over 3.68kW)

For systems larger than 3.68kW, your installer will install your solar panel system while limiting your inverter to 3.68kW, submit a G99 application to the DNO, and once approved, remotely remove the limit.

A G99 application usually takes 3-12 weeks, though recent waiting periods have increased to 4-6 months due to high demand. Some installers can fast-track applications using SGI forms, potentially reducing wait times to 2-4 weeks.

Getting your export MPAN

Only after your G99 has been approved can your supplier ask the local DNO for an export MPAN – a 13-digit number that’s unique to your electricity meter, which you need to sign up to an export tariff.

Stage 9: Registration and certification (2-4 weeks)

MCS registration

Your installer is responsible for registering your solar panel system on the MCS Installation Database within 10 days of commissioning. This database holds records of every MCS-certified installation in the UK.

Receiving your MCS certificate

Your installer should issue your MCS certificate within 10 working days of wrapping things up. This certificate is essential for:

Accessing SEG export tariffs
Proving compliance for building regulations
Future property sales
Insurance purposes
Warranty claims

If you don’t receive your certificate within 10 working days, contact your installer. You can verify your installation on the MCS Installation Database.

Stage 10: Setting up export payments (2-4 weeks)

Understanding the Smart Export Guarantee

The Smart Export Guarantee enables small-scale low-carbon generators to receive payments from electricity suppliers for electricity exported to the National Grid. The SEG launched on 1 January 2020, replacing the Feed-in Tariff scheme.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify for SEG payments, you need:

A system that creates renewable energy, such as solar panels, up to 5MW capacity
An MCS certificate or Flexi-Orb certification for your installation
A smart meter that records the energy you export to the grid every 30 minutes
Not to be receiving SEG payments from anyone else

Comparing SEG tariffs

When checked in April 2025, companies were paying fixed SEG rates between 1p/kWh and 15p/kWh, with up to 28p/kWh during peak hours on certain tariffs.

Types of SEG tariffs:

Fixed rate tariffs: Simple, predictable payments per kWh exported (typically 4-15p/kWh)
Variable rate tariffs: Rates change based on wholesale electricity prices
Time-of-use tariffs: Higher rates during peak hours (e.g., Octopus Intelligent Flux at up to 30p/kWh)
Bundled tariffs: Higher rates if you’re also an electricity customer with that supplier

Check MoneySavingExpert’s SEG comparison tool for the latest rates.

Applying for SEG

To apply for an SEG tariff:

Ensure you have your MCS certificate
Have your export MPAN number ready
Get your DNO approval letter (G98/G99 confirmation)
Contact SEG licensees to compare rates
Submit your application (typically online)
Arrange smart meter installation if needed

Processing takes 2-4 weeks. Major SEG suppliers include:

By choosing the right tariff and managing consumption efficiently, households with a 4.3kW system could earn up to £672 per year.

Stage 11: Monitoring and optimisation (ongoing)

Setting up monitoring

Most modern inverters come with monitoring apps that let you track:

Real-time generation
Daily, monthly, and annual production
Export vs consumption ratios
System performance and any faults
Financial savings

Popular monitoring systems include SolarEdge, Fronius, and GivEnergy apps.

Maximising your investment

Shift energy-intensive tasks to daylight hours:

Run dishwashers and washing machines during sunny periods
Charge devices when panels are generating
Use timers on appliances to maximise solar usage

Consider time-of-use tariffs: If you have battery storage, tariffs like Octopus Agile or Intelligent Go let you charge batteries at cheap overnight rates and export at higher peak rates.

Regular maintenance:

Check panels quarterly for debris, bird droppings, or shading from tree growth
Monitor system performance via your app
Arrange professional cleaning every 1-2 years if needed
Keep inverter area well-ventilated

Expected performance

A typical 3.5kW south-facing installation could save households around £500 per year on energy bills. Actual savings depend on:

Your electricity usage patterns
How much you’re home during daylight hours
Whether you have battery storage
Your SEG tariff rate
Local weather and shading

Tips and key considerations

Essential checks before installing

Verify installer credentials: Only use MCS-certified installers – MCS certification is required to access most smart export tariffs
Check roof suitability: Ensure your roof can support the weight (typically 10-15kg per panel) and isn’t nearing the end of its life
Understand warranties: Panel warranties typically last 25 years, but inverter warranties are shorter (5-10 years)
Consider future-proofing: Think about whether you might add a battery or EV charger later
Review your insurance: Inform your home insurance provider about the installation
Check scaffolding access: Ensure there’s adequate access for scaffolding if your property has restrictions

Common mistakes to avoid

Choosing based on price alone: The cheapest quote often means lower-quality components or shortcuts on installation
Not checking installer credentials: Always verify MCS certification on the MCS website
Ignoring shading issues: Even partial shading can significantly reduce output – be honest with installers about trees, chimneys, or neighbouring buildings
Not considering battery storage: Adding a battery later costs more than installing it with your panels initially
Forgetting about maintenance access: Ensure inverters and batteries are installed in accessible locations
Not reading the contract thoroughly: Understand payment terms, what’s included, and warranty coverage before signing

Future-proofing your installation

Electric vehicle charging: If you’re planning to buy an EV, ensure your system and consumer unit can accommodate a future EV charger. From 2025, the Future Homes Standard will require solar panels on most new homes, showing the growing integration of solar with EVs.

Additional capacity: If you have roof space, consider installing more panels than you currently need – electricity prices are likely to increase, and any extra generation provides more income via SEG.

Battery-ready systems: Even if you don’t install a battery initially, ensure your inverter is compatible with battery addition later.

Long-term considerations

System lifespan: Solar panels typically last 25-30 years with minimal degradation. Expect to replace the inverter once during this period (after 10-15 years, costing £800-£1,500).

Payback period: The estimated payback period for a combined solar and battery installation is around 7 years based on current energy prices and 0% VAT.

Property value: Studies have found that installing a solar PV system is associated with an average increase in sale price, making solar a sound investment even if you plan to move house.

Future energy landscape: The government’s Solar Roadmap sets out steps to deliver 45-47 GW of solar by 2030, which will support up to 35,000 jobs. This growing sector should mean better technology, lower costs, and improved support going forward.

What I learned from my experience

Installing solar panels is a significant investment, but one that pays dividends environmentally and financially. Here are my key takeaways:

Take your time with research: Don’t rush the decision. Understanding the technology, costs, and process helped me make informed choices.
Get multiple quotes: The price difference between quotes was surprising – nearly £2,000 for identical systems.
Communication is key: Choose an installer who explains things clearly and responds promptly to questions.
The panels are bigger than you think: Seriously, measure your roof and visualise how many panels will fit. Mine take up the entire south-facing roof!
Battery storage is worth it: If you’re out during the day, a battery transforms the economics of solar by letting you use your generated power in the evening.
Monitor your usage: The app makes it fascinating to see real-time generation and helps you shift consumption to solar hours.
Be patient with DNO approval: The G99 process took longer than expected, but our installer kept us informed throughout.

What did I miss? What would you add?

This guide covers the technical and financial aspects of buying solar panels in the UK, but every installation is unique. The best advice is to research thoroughly, choose a reputable MCS-certified installer, and think long-term about your energy needs.

How has your experience been? What surprised you about the process? What advice would you give to someone considering solar panels?

Useful resources

Government resources

Certification and standards

Comparison and advice

Regional support

This guide was last updated October 2025 and reflects current UK regulations, prices, and schemes.