Best solar panel prices UK: how much you will pay and how to save

A typical 3.5 to 4 kW home solar system in the UK costs between £4,000 and £8,000 installed, depending on panel quality, roof complexity, and whether you add batteries.

You will learn what determines solar panel price in the UK, how much households pay for panels and batteries, and which choices reduce overall expense while keeping output high. Read the short sections that follow for actionable steps. The goal is simple. Give you usable numbers and steps to get an accurate quote.

Price overview and average figures

How much do solar panels cost overall?

The average price of solar panels for a UK home depends on system size, panel efficiency, and labour. As a rough guide:

• 1 kW: £1,000–£2,000 installed.
• 3.5–4 kW: £4,000–£8,000 installed.
• 5 kW: £6,000–£10,000 installed.
• 10 kW and above: project pricing, often quoted per kW.

A table is useful when comparing price for solar panels by system size.

Short data table (snippet for quick comparison)

• 1 kW system: low entry price for small roofs.
• 3.5 kW system: typical for 3–4 person household.
• 5 kW system: suits larger households or high daytime use.

What affects the solar panel price

Equipment quality and brand

Top-tier modules cost more per watt. Brand premium influences the solar panel unit price and the project total. Panels with higher efficiency occupy less roof area for the same output, which affects the final price.

The solar panel price per kWh shifts when you choose higher efficiency modules that produce more energy per square metre.

System size and layout

Bigger systems often provide a lower price per watt, but total cost rises. Complex roofs require extra labour and scaffolding which pushes up the installation cost.

A 5 kilowatt solar panel price will usually be quoted lower per watt than a 1 kW system, but the upfront cash requirement rises.

Installation difficulty and labour

Roofer access, number of penetrations, and roof material all affect final bills. Labour for mounting, cabling, and commissioning is a core part of the total price for solar panels for your home.

Inverter and battery choices

Adding a battery raises total cost substantially. Some households choose a hybrid inverter up front to simplify later battery fitting.

Batteries for solar panels price varies by capacity and chemistry, and adding storage typically increases the overall system price by several thousand pounds.

Local market and installer margins

Local competition affects quotes. Use two or three quotes to reveal market price and to check whether a price includes warranties and VAT.

Detailed cost breakdown

Panel unit price and per panel costs

Modern residential panels range widely in unit price depending on wattage and technology.

A jinko 450w solar panel price will usually be lower per watt than older panels, but total panel cost depends on how many units you need.

Cost per m2 and per watt

Use per m2 numbers when roof area is limited. Use per watt numbers when comparing different wattage panels.

The solar panel price per m2 matters when you must place modules on a small roof.

Inverter price and types

String inverters cost less than microinverters. Hybrid models that support batteries cost more but simplify future upgrades.

The solar electric panel price column in many quotes hides the inverter cost, which you should request separately.

Mounting, scaffold and labour

Expect labour and mounting to be a fixed proportion of the total. Difficult access will inflate this share.

Battery price examples

Battery size is measured in kWh. A common domestic battery ranges from 3 kWh to 13 kWh. Battery packs include installation cost and performance warranty.

Typical home solar panels price increases by hundreds or thousands of pounds after adding a home battery.

VAT, grants and incentives

Domestic installations in the UK are often zero rated for VAT under specific schemes. Check current rules and ask your installer for the VAT line in the quote.

Prices by system size with sample quotes

Small systems: 1–2 kW

• Use: topping up daytime appliances, partial offset of electricity.
• Price range: £1,000–£3,000 installed.

The 250 watt solar panel price is a baseline figure some suppliers use when selling small hobby systems.

Typical family system: 3–5 kW

• Use: significant daytime generation, lowers household bills.
• Price range: £4,000–£10,000 installed.

A 5 kilowatt solar panel price quote will often include 15 to 18 mid-range panels and a matching inverter.

Larger domestic or small commercial: 10 kW+

• Use: big households, workshops, EV charger support.
• Price: project-based, seek two or three bids.

For a 500 kilowatt solar panel price request you will receive custom estimates, though such installations are normally commercial scale.

How to compare quotes: checklist

• Panel make and model.
• Panel wattage and efficiency.
• Inverter brand and warranty.
• Battery capacity and chemistry if included.
• Labour hours and access charges.
• Scaffolding and roof repairs.
• Performance warranty and product warranty.
• Total price and VAT treatment.
• Expected annual generation in kWh.

Use the phrase solar panels and prices when requesting itemised quotes so installers include both component and labour line items.

Payback, savings and price per kWh

How to calculate payback

Divide net cost after any grants by annual net savings. Annual net savings equals self-consumed generation value plus export income minus any maintenance.

Price per kWh produced by the system

A simple way to judge value is to estimate long term price per kWh produced.

Use the solar panel price per kWh estimate to compare a quoted price against projected generation and expected lifespan.

Typical domestic systems often reach breakeven in 8–12 years under current UK electricity prices and usage patterns. Use official sources for updated rates.

Batteries, storage and night-time generation

Why batteries change price and performance

Storage adds flexibility. It lets you use daytime generation at night. Batteries reduce export and improve self-consumption, but they increase upfront cost.

Night solar panels price is not a valid term because night generation is zero, but storage shifts daytime output to night use.

Battery cost factors

• Usable capacity.
• Cycle life and warranty.
• Round-trip efficiency.
• Installation complexity.

Batteries for solar panels price often depends on usable kWh and warranty terms.

Choosing panels: types and prices

Monocrystalline vs polycrystalline vs thin film

Monocrystalline panels usually cost more and have higher efficiency. Polycrystalline panels cost less and offer a lower price per watt. Thin film is niche and needs more roof space.

Monocrystalline silicon solar panels price per watt tends to be higher than polycrystalline options.

Panel wattage examples

Modern residential panels range from about 250 W to 550 W. Higher watt panels reduce the number of modules needed.

For a small roof you may prefer a 400w solar panel price option that delivers more output per panel and reduces mounting points.

Installation standards and warranties

What warranties to expect

Look for a product warranty and a performance warranty. Typical product warranties range from 10 to 25 years. Performance warranties guarantee a minimum output percentage over a set period.

Certification and installer credentials

Use installers accredited by recognised UK schemes. Ask for proof of insurance and manufacturer training records.

A reputable installer will list UK solar panel prices with warranty coverage and certification clearly on the quote.

Grants, finance and VAT rules

Grants and funding options

Small local schemes exist. Solar interest-free or low-interest finance is widely available through installers or third parties.

VAT treatment in the UK

Under current rules, some domestic renewable installations qualify for reduced VAT rates. Confirm the treatment and have it shown on the invoice.

How prices have changed and what to expect

Historical price trends

Module prices have fallen over the last decade, but supply chain shifts affect short term prices. Installer labour and tariffs influence project quotes more than panel commodity prices when panels are relatively cheap.

When you research solar panel prices over time you will notice that equipment costs fell, while installation and balance of system costs now dominate.

Practical tips to reduce total price

Buy the right size

Oversizing increases initial outlay and reduces return on investment when roof and household demand do not match.

The house solar panel price will drop per watt if you choose a slightly larger system but savings depend on how much of the generation you use.

Use competitive procurement

Request at least two or three quotes and compare the checklist supplied earlier.

Negotiate warranty and maintenance

Ask for a fixed price maintenance package for the first five years.

Consider phased installs

Install panels first and add batteries later with a hybrid-ready inverter. This spreads cost and allows you to get generation sooner.

Short case studies

Case study A — terraced house, 3.6 kW

Quote summary: mid-range panels, string inverter, no battery. Total price: £5,200. Expected annual generation: 3,200 kWh. Simple payback: 9–10 years depending on export and self-consumption. Example numbers are illustrative.

Case study B — semi-detached, 5 kW with battery

Quote summary: higher-efficiency panels, hybrid inverter, 6 kWh battery. Total price: £11,500. Self-consumption rises, payback extends due to battery cost. Example numbers are illustrative.