Free solar panel quotes UK.
Grants, costs, and honest advice.
Compare solar panel quotes from MCS-accredited UK installers. Find out exactly what solar costs in 2026, which grants you qualify for, and whether solar panels are worth it for your home.
Solar panel grants are currently available in the UK for eligible households. The ECO4 scheme can fund free solar panel installation for low-income households. The Smart Export Guarantee pays you for every unit of electricity you export to the grid. 0% VAT on solar panel installation currently applies to all residential installs and is worth hundreds of pounds. Get a quote to find out exactly which grants you qualify for.
Why get your solar quote through GotTheBill?
We connect UK homeowners with MCS-accredited installers, not lead brokers who sell your details to multiple companies.
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MCS accreditation is required to access SEG payments and most government grants. We only work with certified installers.
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We share your details with one MCS-accredited installer, not a marketplace of companies competing for your job. No inbox full of sales calls.
Grant eligibility checked for you
Your installer will assess which grants and schemes you qualify for at the quoting stage. ECO4, SEG, and local authority schemes all checked.
Fixed-price quotes, no surprises
Fixed-price quotes following survey. No hidden extras after agreed survey scope. 0% VAT already applied.
Since April 2022, solar panel installation for UK homes has been charged at 0% VAT. On a £7,000 system this saves £1,400 compared to the previous 20% rate. All quotes include this saving automatically.
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How much do solar panels cost in the UK?
The cost of solar panels in the UK varies by system size, panel brand, and installation complexity. All prices below include 0% VAT and labour. These are typical ranges for UK homes in 2026. Your quote will show the exact price for your property.
3kW system
Around 8 panels. Suits flats, small homes, or households with low electricity usage. Generates around 2,700 kWh per year in most UK locations.
4kW system
Around 10 panels. The most commonly installed size for UK family homes. Generates around 3,400 kWh per year and covers most daytime household usage.
6kW system
Around 15 panels. Suits larger homes with high electricity usage or those planning to add an EV charger or heat pump.
Solar + battery
4kW solar plus 5 to 10kWh battery storage. Use solar power day and night, dramatically reducing grid dependence. The best return on investment for high evening usage households.
Solar panel battery price and solar panel battery cost vary significantly by brand and capacity. A 5kWh battery typically costs £2,500 to £4,000 installed. A 10kWh battery costs £4,000 to £6,000. Your installer will advise on the right size for your usage. All prices include 0% VAT.
Solar panel grants UK: what is available in 2026?
Several solar panel grants and schemes are available in the UK in 2026. Eligibility depends on your household income, property type, and location. Here is what is currently active.
ECO4 scheme — free solar panels for eligible households
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme funds free solar panel installation for low-income households and those receiving certain benefits including Universal Credit, Pension Credit, and Child Tax Credit. Delivered through energy suppliers. Eligibility also depends on your property's EPC rating. Eligible households may qualify for fully funded solar installation through ECO4.
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) — paid for energy you export
The Smart Export Guarantee requires energy suppliers with over 150,000 customers to offer a tariff for electricity you export back to the grid. Rates vary by supplier from around 3p to 15p per kWh. Over the lifetime of your system this adds up to thousands of pounds. MCS accreditation is required to access SEG, which is another reason to only use accredited installers.
0% VAT on residential solar installation
Since April 2022, residential solar panel installation has been charged at 0% VAT. This currently saves around 20% of the installation cost and is automatically applied by your installer. On a £7,000 system this saves £1,400 versus the pre-2022 rate. Grants for solar panels do not get more straightforward than this.
Local authority and council solar schemes
Some local authorities run additional solar panel funding schemes, particularly for social housing and low-income areas. Availability varies significantly by region. Your installer will check what is available in your area as part of the quoting process. Solar panel grants Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland may include additional devolved government funding not available in England.
Are solar panels worth it in the UK?
For most UK homeowners, yes — but the return varies significantly based on a few factors. Here is an honest breakdown rather than a sales pitch.
Best case: south-facing roof
South-facing roof at 30 to 40 degrees, high daytime electricity usage, high energy bills. Payback in 6 to 8 years. 15 to 20 years of free electricity after that. Very much worth it.
Rising electricity prices
UK electricity prices have more than doubled since 2020. Solar locks in free generation for 25 years regardless of what grid prices do. The hedge value increases as prices rise.
Battery storage changes the maths
Without a battery, you use solar directly or export it at low SEG rates. With a battery, you use your own stored solar in the evening instead of paying grid rates. The solar panel battery price has fallen significantly and the economics are much better than 3 years ago.
Best with an EV
Charging an electric vehicle from solar during the day dramatically improves the economics. Instead of exporting at 5 to 10p per kWh you are displacing petrol or grid electricity costs many times higher.
Property value uplift
Solar panels improve your property's EPC rating which is increasingly important for mortgage lenders and buyers. Solar improves your property's EPC rating which is increasingly valued by mortgage lenders and buyers.
Less worth it if...
North-facing roof with significant shading, very low electricity bills, or planning to move within 5 years. Your installer will be honest about your specific property's potential before you commit to anything.
How many solar panels do I need and how long do they last?
These are two of the most searched questions about solar panels in the UK. Here are straight answers.
How many solar panels do I need?
Most UK homes need 10 to 15 panels for a 3 to 4kW system. A 400W panel system of 10 panels gives 4kW. Your installer sizes the system based on your annual electricity usage and available roof space. A 4kW system suits the average UK household using around 3,500 kWh per year.
How long do solar panels last?
Quality solar panels carry a 25-year performance warranty and typically last 30 or more years. Degradation is around 0.5% per year. Inverters need replacing after 10 to 15 years at around £500 to £1,500. The panels themselves rarely fail within the lifetime of a typical homeowner.
Commercial solar panels UK
Commercial solar installations are one of the highest-return energy investments available to UK businesses right now. With electricity prices significantly higher for commercial customers than residential, the payback period on a well-designed commercial system is typically 4 to 7 years, leaving 20 or more years of near-zero energy costs.
Commercial solar also benefits from 100% first-year capital allowance through the Annual Investment Allowance, meaning the full cost of a solar installation can be deducted from taxable profits in the year of purchase. Combined with 0% VAT on installation and the Smart Export Guarantee for exported generation, the financial case for commercial solar in 2026 is strong.
Suitable for offices, warehouses, retail units, farms, and landlords with multiple properties.
Questions UK homeowners ask about solar panels
For most UK homeowners with a south or south-west facing roof, yes. A 4kW system costs £6,000 to £8,000 and pays back in 7 to 10 years with 15 or more years of free electricity generation after that. Solar is most worth it if you have high daytime electricity usage, an EV, or are adding battery storage. Your installer will give you a specific payback calculation for your property.
A 3kW system costs £5,000 to £6,000 installed. A 4kW system costs £6,000 to £8,000. A 6kW system costs £7,500 to £10,000. Adding battery storage adds £2,500 to £6,000 depending on capacity. All prices include 0% VAT which has applied to residential solar since April 2022.
The main solar panel grants uk 2026 and solar panel grants 2026 include ECO4 for low-income households which can fund free solar panel installation, the Smart Export Guarantee which pays you for exported electricity, and 0% VAT on all residential installations. Some local authorities run additional solar panel funding schemes. Your installer will check all grants you qualify for at the quoting stage.
Free solar panels uk are available through the ECO4 scheme for households receiving qualifying benefits including Universal Credit, Pension Credit, and Child Tax Credit, and whose property has an EPC rating of D or below. Eligibility is assessed by your energy supplier or local authority. Not all applicants qualify. Get a quote and your installer will confirm whether you are eligible.
Most UK homes need 10 to 15 panels for a 3 to 4kW system. The exact number depends on the wattage of the panels and your electricity usage. Your installer will size the system based on your annual kWh consumption and available roof space. Adding an EV charger or heat pump usually means going for a larger 5 to 6kW system.
Increasingly yes. Solar panels with battery storage allow you to use solar-generated electricity in the evening rather than exporting it at low rates and buying grid electricity at high rates. With the solar panel battery price falling and grid electricity prices remaining high, the economics of adding battery storage have improved significantly. It makes the most sense for households with high evening electricity usage or those who want energy independence.
Related guides in the solar section
Solar battery storage
Costs, sizing, grants, how long they last, and whether battery storage is worth it for your home.
EV charger installation
7kW vs 22kW, tethered vs untethered, grants available, and how to charge your car from solar panels.
Heat pump guide
The £7,500 BUS grant, running costs, whether heat pumps work with your radiators, and honest pros and cons.
Find out what solar costs at your property
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