A typical home solar system costs about £7,600 to install in 2026, and the Energy Saving Trust estimates it pays for itself in around 9 to 12 years on a south-facing roof. Here is what drives the price.
The short answer
The Energy Saving Trust puts the cost of an average home system at about £7,600. That is a 4.5kWp system: roughly 12 panels covering 20 to 30 square metres of roof.
Prices have been falling. Which?, using government figures built from the official MCS installation records, reports that the cost of small systems (up to 4kW) fell by 7% between 2024/25 and 2025/26.
Typical prices by system size
There are no official prices for each size. Our guide to costs by system size scales the Energy Saving Trust’s figure to 3kW to 6kW systems, and every roof is different, so treat any figure as a guide, not a quote.
A larger system costs more in total but usually less per kW, because scaffolding and labour are shared across more panels.
Adding a battery
A battery lets you store daytime solar power and use it in the evening. The Energy Saving Trust gives a typical cost of about £4,600 for a 5kWh battery, with the full range running from £1,500 to £10,000 depending on size. Adding a battery at the same time as the panels usually saves on installation costs.
What affects the price
- System size: how many panels your roof and budget allow.
- Equipment: panel and inverter quality. The inverter usually needs replacing once, after about 12 years.
- Your roof: awkward layouts, height and access add time.
- Scaffolding: usually included in a quote, so ask for it to be shown separately.
What it saves and how long it takes to pay back
The Energy Saving Trust estimates payback, including payments for electricity you export, for a typical 4.5kWp system:
- London: about 9 years
- Aberystwyth: 9 to 10 years
- Manchester: 10 to 11 years
- Stirling: 11 to 12 years
How much you save depends on how much of the electricity you use yourself. Electricity you use directly replaces power you would otherwise buy at the price cap rate, currently 26.32p per kWh (October to December 2026). Electricity you export earns much less per unit.
VAT: no VAT until March 2027
Installing solar panels and batteries in a home in the UK is currently zero-rated for VAT. That is due to end on 31 March 2027, when the rate rises to 5%. See our guide to the VAT change.
Getting an accurate price
Every roof is different, so the only reliable figure is a quote for your home. Use an MCS-certified installer: it is the standard the export payment scheme requires.
Ready to see what it would cost for your home? Answer a few quick questions below and we’ll match you with an installer who covers your area. It’s free and there’s no obligation.
Sources
- Energy Saving Trust: Solar panels (updated 1 Oct 2026)
- Which?: Solar panel costs (updated 3 Aug 2026)
- GOV.UK: Solar PV cost data (28 May 2026)
- Energy Saving Trust: Solar panel battery storage (6 Oct 2026)
- Ofgem: Energy price cap rates (Oct 2026)
- HMRC: VAT on energy-saving materials (Notice 708/6) (updated 31 Jan 2024)