Cost guides › Solar panels
United Kingdom
How much do solar panels cost?
A 6 kWp rooftop solar PV system with a 5 kWh battery typically costs £12,500 with 0% VAT, with most quotes between £9,750 and £16,200. That includes scaffolding, all-black panels on a pitched tiled roof, a hybrid inverter with battery, cabling and commissioning. Panels with a standard inverter and no battery come to about £9,500; a larger 10 kWh battery on a three-phase supply is around £15,800.
Most homeowners pay
0% VAT on installing energy-saving materials (heat pumps, insulation, solar) until 31 March 2027
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mid-range, typicalCost by region
| Location | Basic | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | £9,650 | £12,700 | £16,100 |
| East | £9,450 | £12,500 | £15,800 |
| North West | £9,450 | £12,500 | £15,800 |
| Scotland | £9,500 | £12,500 | £15,900 |
| South East | £9,500 | £12,500 | £15,800 |
| East Midlands | £9,450 | £12,400 | £15,700 |
| North East | £9,450 | £12,400 | £15,700 |
| South West | £9,450 | £12,400 | £15,800 |
| Wales | £9,450 | £12,400 | £15,700 |
| West Midlands | £9,450 | £12,400 | £15,800 |
Show all regions
| Yorkshire and The Humber | £9,450 | £12,400 | £15,700 |
What's included
Mid-range
- Scaffolding put up, hired for the job and taken down
- 450 W monocrystalline all-black panels, enough for 6 kWp
- Aluminium mounting rails fixed to the rafters with roof hooks under the tiles
- A single-phase hybrid inverter with a 5 kWh lithium battery
- DC isolation and surge protection, and solar cable from the roof to the inverter in conduit
- AC cable from the inverter to the consumer unit with a dedicated breaker
- A monitoring meter showing generation and household use
- Two permanent roof anchor points for safe access later
- Connection and commissioning of the system
What affects the cost
System size
Panels and mounting scale with size, but scaffolding, the inverter and the electrical work cost much the same for a small or larger system. That is why the cost per kWp falls as the system gets bigger.
Battery
A battery lets you store daytime generation for the evening and is the biggest optional extra. Doubling the battery size adds a significant amount; size it to your evening use rather than the panel output.
Roof type and orientation
Our estimate assumes a south-facing pitched roof with tiles. Slate roofs take longer to fix to, east-west splits need more panels for the same output, and flat roofs need frames and ballast. Repairs to the roof under the panels are extra.
Scaffolding and access
Scaffolding is standard for UK roof work and is a fixed chunk of the price. Three-storey houses, conservatories in the way or scaffolding over a neighbour's land add cost.
Consumer unit and cable route
An old consumer unit with no spare way may need replacing. A long cable route from loft to inverter to consumer unit adds labour.
Panel quality
All-black panels cost a little more than silver-framed ones. Premium panels with longer warranties and better low-light performance cost more again but make a smaller difference to the total than the battery.
How to save
- Book before 31 March 2027 while solar panels and batteries are installed at 0% VAT.
- Combine panels with other roof work so you only pay for scaffolding once.
- Size the battery to your evening usage; an oversized battery takes years longer to pay back.
- Compare at least three quotes on the same panel wattage, inverter and battery capacity.
Grants, tax and rules
0% VAT until 31 March 2027
Installing solar panels and batteries is charged at 0% VAT until 31 March 2027, and our figures use that rate.
Electrical work
Connecting the system to your consumer unit is notifiable electrical work in England and Wales: it must be done by a registered electrician (Part P) or notified to building control.
Warm Homes Plan
Published in January 2026, it commits £15bn to 2030, including grants for low-income households and low- or zero-interest loans that are being phased in.
Frequently asked questions
How much do solar panels cost in the UK?
A 6 kWp system with a 5 kWh battery costs around £12,500 with 0% VAT, including scaffolding and installation. Without a battery it is about £9,500. Smaller systems cost less overall but more per kWp.
Is VAT charged on solar panels?
No, not until 31 March 2027: installing solar panels and batteries in homes is charged at 0% VAT until then. Our figures use the 0% rate.
Is a solar battery worth it?
A battery helps most if you are out during the day and use most of your electricity in the evening. It adds a sizeable amount to the cost, so compare the price difference between our basic and mid options with how much generation you would otherwise export.
How many solar panels do I need for a 6 kWp system?
Each 450 W panel adds 0.45 kWp, so divide the system size by 0.45 to get the panel count, and allow about 2 m² of roof per panel. Your installer will check roof space, shading and orientation before fixing the size.
How long does solar panel installation take?
Fitting the panels, inverter and battery usually takes one to two days once scaffolding is up. Scaffolding normally goes up a day or two before and comes down shortly after.
Do I need planning permission for solar panels?
Many homes can fit roof panels without an application, but listed buildings, conservation areas and flats have extra restrictions. Check with your local council before you commit if any of these apply.
How this estimate is calculated
Work hours: 24.5 · Labour: £1,608 · Materials: £10,888
Sources: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, tables 14 and 15; Regione Toscana, Prezzario dei Lavori 2026 (CC BY 4.0); ECB exchange rates.