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Solar Panels for Your Home

Save up to £1,200/year on energy bills with MCS-certified solar panel installations. 0% VAT, 25+ year lifespan, and typical payback in just 6-8 years.

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£5,000-£9,000
Typical System Cost
£800-£1,200/yr
Average Savings
0% VAT
No VAT on Installation
SEG Income
Earn from Export

How Do Solar Panels Work?

Solar panels convert daylight into electricity you can use to power your home, reducing your reliance on the grid and cutting your energy bills.

Capture Sunlight

Photovoltaic cells in the panels absorb daylight and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity.

Convert Power

An inverter converts DC electricity into alternating current (AC) that your home appliances can use.

Power Your Home

Use the free electricity to run your appliances, charge your EV, and heat water - slashing your bills.

Earn & Export

Any surplus energy is exported to the grid, earning you money through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).

Solar Panel Costs in 2026

Prices have dropped significantly. With 0% VAT and the Smart Export Guarantee, solar is more affordable than ever.

System Size Panels Roof Area Cost (inc. install) Annual Output Annual Savings Payback
3 kW 8-10 ~15 m² £4,500-£5,500 2,500-3,000 kWh £600-£800 6-8 years
4 kW Most Popular 10-12 ~20 m² £5,500-£7,000 3,400-4,000 kWh £800-£1,000 6-7 years
5 kW 12-15 ~25 m² £6,500-£8,000 4,200-5,000 kWh £900-£1,100 6-7 years
6 kW 15-18 ~30 m² £7,500-£9,500 5,000-6,000 kWh £1,000-£1,200 6-8 years
Prices are estimates including installation. 0% VAT applies to residential installations. Savings based on typical self-consumption and current electricity rates (24p/kWh). Actual costs vary by location and installer.
Read our detailed solar costs guide → Calculate your savings →

Pros & Cons of Solar Panels

An honest assessment to help you decide if solar is right for your home.

Advantages

  • Save £800-£1,200 per year on electricity bills
  • 0% VAT on residential installations
  • Earn money from surplus energy via the Smart Export Guarantee
  • Increase property value and improve EPC rating
  • Very low maintenance - panels last 25-30+ years
  • Protection against rising energy prices
  • Significantly reduce your carbon footprint

Considerations

  • Upfront cost of £5,000-£9,500 (though payback is typically 6-8 years)
  • Output varies by season - less generation in winter months
  • South-facing roofs get the best results (east/west still viable)
  • Without battery, you only use ~40% of generated power directly
  • Inverter may need replacing after 10-15 years (~£800-£1,200)
  • May need planning permission in conservation areas or listed buildings

Solar Panel Grants & Incentives

Take advantage of government schemes to reduce costs and earn from your solar investment.

0% VAT

No VAT on residential solar panel installations, saving you up to 20% on the total cost.

Active - No Application Required

Smart Export Guarantee

Get paid for surplus electricity you export to the grid. Rates from 3p-15p per kWh depending on your supplier.

Active - MCS Installation Required

ECO4 Scheme

Low-income households may qualify for fully funded or subsidised solar installations through the ECO4 scheme.

Income-Based Eligibility
Read our full solar grants guide → View all government grants →

Solar Panel FAQs

Answers to the most common questions about solar panels for UK homes.

A typical 4kW solar panel system costs £5,000-£7,000 installed, including all equipment, scaffolding, and connection. Larger 6kW systems range from £7,000-£9,500. All residential installations benefit from 0% VAT.
A typical UK household with a 4kW system saves £800-£1,200 per year, depending on energy usage patterns, location, and whether you have battery storage. Adding a battery can increase savings by 30-40%.
Yes. With 0% VAT, the Smart Export Guarantee, and electricity prices around 24p/kWh, most systems pay for themselves in 6-8 years and then provide 17-20+ years of essentially free electricity. They also increase property value.
Yes. Solar panels generate electricity from daylight, not direct sunshine. On a cloudy day they may produce 10-30% of their peak output. The UK gets enough daylight for solar to be very worthwhile - a well-sited system generates 3,400-4,000 kWh per year.
Most domestic rooftop solar installations are classed as permitted development and don't need planning permission. You may need permission if your property is listed, in a conservation area, or if panels project more than 200mm from the roof surface. Your installer will advise.
MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) is the quality standard for renewable energy installations in the UK. Only MCS-certified installers can register your system for the Smart Export Guarantee. All installers on My Green Home Energy are MCS-certified.
Modern solar panels come with 25-30 year performance warranties and can last 40+ years. They degrade by less than 0.5% per year, so after 25 years they'll still produce over 85% of their original output. Inverters typically last 10-15 years and cost £800-£1,200 to replace.
Battery storage increases the amount of solar energy you use directly from ~40% to 70-80%, significantly boosting savings. It's especially valuable if you use most electricity in the evenings. A typical home battery adds £2,500-£5,000 to the system cost and can save an additional £300-£500/year.

What Homeowners Say

Real feedback from UK homeowners who got solar quotes through My Green Home Energy.

"The process was incredibly easy. I submitted my details and had three quotes within 48 hours. Saved over £2,000 compared to the first company I approached directly."

JT
James T.
Manchester · 4kW System

"Our electricity bills have dropped from £120/month to about £35. The solar panels with battery storage have been life-changing. Wish we'd done it years ago."

SH
Sarah H.
Bristol · 5kW + Battery

"All three installers were professional and MCS-certified. The comparison made it easy to see the differences in equipment, warranties, and prices. Highly recommend."

DP
David P.
Leeds · 6kW System

Maximise Your Solar Investment

Pair your solar panels with these complementary upgrades for even greater savings.

Battery Storage

Store excess solar energy and use it at night. Increase self-consumption to 70-80%.

EV Charger

Charge your electric vehicle with free solar power. Save hundreds per year on fuel.

Smart Tariff

Combine solar with an export tariff to maximise your earnings from surplus energy.

Ready to Start Saving with Solar?

Get up to 3 free, no-obligation quotes from MCS-certified solar installers in your area. It takes less than 2 minutes.

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