Solar Panel Costs 2026
While solar panels can cost as little as £100 each (without installation), an entire solar PV panel system including installation, inverter, scaffolding, and all the other bits and pieces typically costs close to £8,000 (equivalent to ~£700+ per panel for a typical, complete system). The NimbleFins experts explain the many factors that go into a solar panel quote, as well as how the cost of solar panels is affected by the make and model, the power output of each panel, the number of panels in the system and more. You will also read information on getting free solar panels and saving money with solar panel grants, plus research on the best solar panels available in the UK. By the end of this article you should understand how much you may need to pay to get 'free electricity' for your home with solar panels.
- Average solar panels cost
- Solar Panel Quotes
- Free Solar Panels
- Best Solar Panels UK
- Solar Panel Grants
- Various costs in a solar panel system
- How many solar panels do I need?
- FAQs
Average solar panels cost
A fully-installed and MCS-certified solar panel system with 4kW of solar power costs ~£8,140 on average in 2026. That's without a battery—add a home battery to your system and your cost will increase by roughly £2,500+ for a 5kWh battery, bringing the total cost to around £10,500+ or so.
A system this size could produce around 3,000 kWh of electricity a year, which can suit a typical household, as median electricity consumption in the UK is 2,900 kWh per year.
Prices are quite variable, especially with installers changing their deals as demand ebbs and flows with energy price changes and weather pattern shifts.
Individual solar panels cost roughly £250 apiece to buy (excluding installation), but can range from under £100 when bought direct online, up to £500 for a high-end panel from an installer.
Solar panel system cost trends
From 2013 to 2020, solar panel pricing steadily dropped, making systems more affordable for homeowners. From 2020 to early 2023 (in particular with the energy crisis starting in 2022), solar panel costs rose steeply, peaking in January 2023 at £2,600 per kW (for a 0-4 kW system).
Since then, the cost of solar panels systems has been steadily dropping on a per kW basis. By March 2025, the average cost for a 0-4kW system had dropped to £2,035 per kW (with a lower median cost of £1,804 per kW).
In 2026, the latest available government data indicates that solar panel systems cost £2,035 per kW on average for systems up to 4kW. Prices dropped to £1,777 per kW for larger systems between 4 - 10 kW.
| Mean solar panel system costs, per kW | 0-4 kW | 4-10 kW | 10-50 kW |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013/14 | £2,049 | £1,638 | £1,391 |
| 2014/15 | £2,028 | £1,546 | £1,343 |
| 2015/16 | £1,807 | £1,454 | £1,252 |
| 2016/17 | £1,840 | £1,492 | £1,219 |
| 2017/18 | £1,825 | £1,514 | £1,152 |
| 2018/19 | £1,806 | £1,499 | £1,158 |
| 2019/20 | £1,647 | £1,708 | £1,085 |
| 2020/21 | £1,699 | £1,722 | £1,089 |
| 2021/22 | £1,893 | £1,605 | £1,132 |
| 2022/23 | £2,372 | £2,104 | £1,355 |
| 2023/24 | £2,393 | £2,216 | £1,502 |
| 2024/25 | £2,108 | £1,846 | £1,365 |
| Mar '25 | £2,035 | £1,777 | £1,368 |
Given the average quotes we received (see the previous section), we think that prices may have softened since these 'latest' official figures from a year ago. Many of the companies we contacted offered us discounts, from £500 off up to 15% off of the total.
Note, these costs reflect installations on the MCS scheme and include the cost of the solar PV generation equipment, cost of installing and connecting to the electricity supply and VAT. They do not include the cost for any additional device installed with the solar panels, such as battery storage.
Solar panel system cost, by power (kW)
All else equal, the larger the system, the more efficient the pricing should get. This is because there are fixed costs associated with any installation, such as the inverter (to change solar DC energy into AC energy for home use), electrical and roofing work, scaffolding, certification/registration, etc.—according to recent quotes we've received, these can easily account for £3,000 to £3,500 or more of the total cost. For this reason, pricing for really small systems can seem unusually high.
Note: our market queries have indicated that, for domestic solar, systems around the 4kW of power have particularly attractive pricing compared to smaller or larger systems. Why? If we had to guess, we'd say because 4kW is a very popular solar panel system size, so installers try to be competitive here. A 4kW size is common because it could generate enough electricity to power the average home, which uses 2,900 kWh of electricity per year.
Solar Panel Quotes
Getting solar panel quotes can be quite exciting! Whether you love the idea of green energy or just getting 'free electricity' when the sun is out (after you've paid the panels back, of course), getting a solar panel quote is your first step on the road to solar-generated power for your home.
Here are some quick tips, but you can read more in our in-depth piece on solar panel quotes:
- Get multiple quotes to compare and find the best for you in terms of price, power, equipment, and other factors
- Check how long your quotes are valid for (e.g. some are valid for only 30 days)
- Play the installers off of each other and ask for discounts
Also, as your installer about their workmanship warranty and what happens if you change your mind and want to cancel your contract before installation (e.g. during your Cooling Off Period).
Free Solar Panels
There are a few ways to save money on solar panels—or even qualify for free solar panels. In 2026, the importance of these incentives is highlighted by predictions of market data, which are expected to show that while upfront costs have risen, subsidy and export options have become more competitive.
- Smart Export Guarantee (SEG): The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) enables homes or businesses with renewable energy to earn money for exporting excess electricity back to the grid. In 2026, expected to show average baseline rates of ~5.5p/kWh, though "premium" tariffs from major suppliers can now reach 15p to 16.5p/kWh.
- Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4): A government energy-efficiency scheme in Great Britain designed for households in fuel poverty. In 2026, ECO4 continues to offer fully funded solar systems for eligible low-income homes, with an extension beyond March 2026 currently under review.
- No VAT incentive: If you buy a solar panel system before 31 March 2027, you don't pay VAT. In 2026, the importance of this deadline is highlighted by predictions of installation data, which are expected to show typical savings of £600 to £1,000 on a combined solar and battery system.
- Promotional discounts: Large installers often hold winter sales to drive volume. In the 2025/26 winter season, we observed installers like Egg and Effective Home offering "Summer Saver" bundles and cash discounts of up to £600 for installations booked before the end of February.
Besides discounts and subsidies, it may be possible to get financing for your solar panels. In 2026, the importance of affordable borrowing is highlighted by predictions of lending data, which are expected to show that high street bank loans for green improvements start around ~7.2% APR, while large installers typically offer financing in the range of 8.5% to 10.5% APR.
Getting financing is definitely NOT a discount, because it means you pay more in the end (by paying back the loan amount + interest payments), but we wanted to mention solar panel financing in this section. There's no debating that solar PV installations require a large upfront investment—and those who aren't comfortable handing over the cash all at once might find that financing their panels is better for them, because it spreads the cost out over years.
Best Solar Panels UK
The NimbleFins team has analysed many of the more popular solar panels in the UK, especially those installed by the larger, national installers. Here is a quite recap of the results—for more information, read our in-depth piece on the Best Solar Panels:
| Overall Rank | Manufacturer | Model | Average price (excl installation) | Min Output, at 25 years | Max Power Output | Max Efficiency | Performance Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aiko | Neostar 3P54 (72 cell) | £135 | 90.6% | 500W | 25.1% | 30 years |
| 2 | Maxeon | Maxeon 7 (AC) | £545 | 92.0% | 475W | 24.9% | 40 years |
| 3 | Jinko | Tiger Neo 3.0 | £98 | 89.4% | 475W | 23.3% | 30 years |
| 3 | Project Solar | Evolution Max 500 | £245 | 90.0% | 500W | 24.0% | 30 years |
| 5 | Perlight | Black Grid 500W | £220 | 89.4% | 500W | 23.8% | 30 years |
| 5 | AIKO | Neostar 2S (All Black) | £118 | 90.6% | 455W | 23.8% | 30 years |
| 7 | Trina Solar | Vertex S+ | £115 | 89.4% | 475W | 23.0% | 30 years |
| 8 | DMEGC | Infinity 460W | £92 | 89.4% | 460W | 22.8% | 30 years |
| 9 | JA Solar | JAM54D41 LB | £88 | 89.4% | 455W | 22.8% | 30 years |
| 10 | REC | Alpha Pure-RX | £185 | 92.0% | 470W | 23.1% | 25 years |
| 11 | Sharp | 450W NU-JC450 | £145 | 89.5% | 450W | 23.0% | 30 years |
| 12 | LONGi Solar | Hi-MO X10 | £105 | 88.9% | 460W | 23.5% | 25 years |
| 13 | Viridian Solar | Clearline Fusion 15 | £215 | 85.0% | 430W | 22.2% | 25 years |
Solar Panel Grants
Solar panel grants are government schemes to help British households save money on solar PV installations. The largest grants are worth thousands of £ and can potentially pay for an entire solar panel system installation—these are only available to vulnerable households, such as those with low incomes, living in homes that currently demonstrate poor energy efficiency (i.e. a low EPC rating).
But there are some solar grants that nearly any household with solar panels can benefit from, such as SEG tariffs (earning money by selling extra solar-generated power back to the National Grid) and paying 0% VAT on solar PV system installations (representing a savings of 5% of the total cost).
Here is a summary of the available solar panel tariffs that might help you save money on your installation or even afterwards.
| Solar Power Grants | Eligibility | Geographic Cover | Expires | Potential Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECO4 | Vulnerable households or those in receipt of benefits | England, Scotland, and Wales | March 2026 (Extension pending) | Chance of free or fully funded solar panel systems for eligible homes |
| SEG Tariffs | Requires MCS certificate, export meter, and max capacity of 5MW | England, Scotland, and Wales | Ongoing | In 2026, expected to show average rates of ~5.5p/kWh, with some premium tariffs reaching 15p+ |
| VAT 0% | Applies to purchase and installation of solar panels and batteries | England, Scotland, and Wales | March 31, 2027 | Save 5% on total costs; e.g., £600 savings on a typical £12,000 solar and battery system |
| Solar Together | Residents in councils with active group-buying phases | Variable by council | Variable phases | Collective discounts achieving 15% to 25% off standard market installation rates |
| Home Upgrade Grant (HUG3) | Off-gas grid, EPC D-G, and income typically < £36,000 (replaces HUG2) | Participating English Councils | March 2027 | In 2026, expected to show an average contribution of £8,950 per home for solar PV |
| Home Energy Scotland Scheme | Households in Scotland (updated criteria for whole-home retrofitting) | Scotland | Ongoing | £6,000 total support (£1,250 grant + £4,750 interest-free loan) specifically for solar PV |
| Welsh Government Warm Homes Programme | Low-income households in fuel poverty (Successor to Nest) | Wales | March 2028 | Chance of free solar panels as part of a whole-home energy efficiency package |
Various costs in a solar panel system
As we mentioned above, a solar panel proposal should include lots of projections and financial information. But it will obviously also include the list of tech to be installed. In fact, a solar panel system includes much more than the solar panels themselves—a lot more.
In 2026, the importance of budgeting for high-spec hardware is highlighted by predictions of installer data, which are expected to show the following revised costs in a solar panel system:
| Estimated costs in a solar panel system | Note | 2026 Estimated Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Solar panels | High-efficiency N-type panels are now the market standard | £250 - £550 per panel |
| Inverter | Hybrid inverters (ready for batteries) are most common | £1,200 - £1,800 |
| Power optimizer | Helps systems under partial shade perform better | £85 per panel |
| Scaffolding | Essential for safe roof access; rates have risen due to labor costs | £600 - £1,500 |
| Labour costs | Installation typically takes 2 days for a standard home | 15-25% of total costs |
| Official requirements | Electrical installation test certificate (EIC), MCS, DNO, and Building Control | Embedded in quote |
| Battery (Optional) | Enables the storage of solar energy for evening use | £3,500 - £12,000 |
| Profit | The installer will add some profit margin | Variable |
But note that many installers will not break out these costs in a detailed fashion. They might break out items like scaffolding and electricians and roofer labour but they'll likely lump all of the equipment together under one price. You can often easily tease out the cost of the battery because they'll probably provide a quote with a battery and a quote without a battery.
To learn about the individual costs of other items of equipment like the panels themselves and the inverter, you may need to specifically ask. For example, it can help to ask, if I could add one more solar panel, how much would that add to the overall cost?
How many solar panels do I need?
1) When determining how many solar panels you need to buy, the first piece of data you need is your current annual electricity consumption. Check an energy bill—it should list your estimated annual consumption in kWh.
Let's say your current annual electricity consumption is 2,900 kWh.
2) Next, check the power of one of the solar panels you're considering (e.g., a Longi 430 Watt panel). Solar panels are not totally efficient, so to determine how much energy you'll get from each panel, estimate by multiplying by 80%. For example, each Longi 430 Watt panel can produce around 344 kWh per year.
3) Now, divide your annual electricity consumption by the power capability of one solar panel. In our example, 2,900 kWh of annual electricity consumption divided by 344 equals 8.4 solar panels. Since you can only buy solar panels in whole numbers, you could round up or down here to determine what you might need.
This is a very rough guide for a sample median-consumption property, so you can see how the calculations are done—get a proper quote from an installer and they'll be able to give you a more accurate assessment.
| How many solar panels do I need? | Example |
|---|---|
| Annual household electricity consumption | 2,900 kWh |
| Power of one solar panel | 430 W |
| Output of one solar panel, efficiency adjusted (80%) | 344 W |
| Number of solar panels | 8.4 |
Why you might round down: If you don't install a home battery with the solar panel system, it can be difficult to use all of the solar power as and when it's produced. You can sell extra energy back to the grid, but you might only get 5.5p/kWh for this (but potentially up to 15.5p/kWh...). Without a battery, it might therefore be better financially to round down on the number of panels being installed in order to save money on the installation (rather than have an extra panel you don't really benefit from).
Why you might round up: If you install a home battery with the solar panel system, it can make sense to round up on the number of panels. That's because any solar energy that isn't used as it's produced can be stored for later use in the evening. And if you might buy an electric car in the future and charge it from solar that's even another reason to round up on the number of solar panels—future proofing.
All this said, a home is naturally limited in the number of solar panels that can be installed by the roof. How big is it? What is its angle? Which direction(s) does it face? Are there obstacles like chimneys, Velux windows and heavy shading to work around? All of these factors will determine the maximum number of solar panels for a home.
Would you like to calculate how many solar panels you might need and how much it might cost? Try out our solar panel calculator below.