Cost & payback
How much do solar panels cost?
By Daniel Osei · Last checked 25 June 2026
Solar costs less than it used to, but the numbers still vary a lot with system size, your roof and the kit. This page gives real UK prices for 2026, what is included versus extra, and how long it takes to pay back, so you can sanity-check any quote you are given.
The quick version
- A typical 4 kW system (about 10 panels) is roughly £6,000 to £8,000 fully installed
- Works out at about £1,400 to £1,800 per kW, with smaller systems costing more per kW
- Solar is 0% VAT until 31 March 2027
- Payback is usually around 10 to 15 years at current export rates
What a system costs by size
Price tracks system size fairly closely. The figures below are for a standard on-roof install on a normal two-storey house, with 0% VAT. Bigger, more complex roofs and premium kit push you toward the top of each range.
| System size | Panels | Typical installed cost |
|---|---|---|
| 3 kW | About 8 | £4,500–£6,000 |
| 4 kW | About 10 | £6,000–£8,000 |
| 5 kW | About 13 | £7,000–£9,500 |
| 6 kW | About 15 | £8,000–£11,000 |
| 8–10 kW | 20–25 | £11,000–£16,000 |
Why smaller systems cost more per kW
Per kilowatt, a typical system works out at about £1,400 to £1,800. Smaller systems sit at the higher end, because the fixed costs, scaffolding, labour, paperwork, are spread over fewer panels. Larger systems are a bit cheaper per kW for the same reason in reverse.
So a 3 kW system is not half the price of a 6 kW one. You pay for the setup either way, then a bit more for each extra panel.
What is included, and what costs extra
A standard quote usually covers the panels, the inverter, mounting rails and cabling, scaffolding for a normal two-storey house, the generation meter, MCS certification and the grid notification, plus the labour. The things below are common extras that are often quoted separately.
| Extra | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Battery, 5 kWh | £2,000–£4,000 |
| Battery, 10 kWh | £4,000–£7,000 |
| Bird-proofing mesh | £200–£600 |
| Optimisers / microinverters | £40–£80+ per panel |
| EV charger | £800–£1,500 |
| In-roof mounting | +10–20% vs on-roof |
| Roof repairs / new consumer unit | Varies |
What moves the price up or down
Roof and access are the biggest swing. A simple two-slope roof with easy access sits near the headline price. A steep, tall or multi-faceted roof needs more scaffolding and labour, which can add hundreds to over a thousand pounds.
Hardware matters too. Premium high-efficiency panels and hybrid or micro-inverters cost more than mid-range kit, though they can help on tight or shaded roofs.
Region makes a small difference. Costs are a little higher in London and the South East, and a little lower in the North and Midlands, but it is a modest effect next to roof and system size. In-roof systems, where panels replace the roof covering, run about 10 to 20 percent more than on-roof.
Adding a battery
A battery stores your daytime solar for the evening rather than exporting it. It adds roughly £2,000 to £4,000 for around 5 kWh, or £4,000 to £7,000 for around 10 kWh. It lifts how much of your own solar you use, but the battery itself takes longer to pay back than the panels, so it is worth weighing up separately.
How long it takes to pay back
For a typical home, payback is usually around 10 to 15 years at current prices. It is faster if you use a lot of electricity during the day, when your panels are generating, because every unit you use yourself is worth far more than one you export. It is slower if you are out all day and export most of what you generate, since export pays only a few pence per unit.
A battery, high daytime usage or an electric car all shift the maths in your favour. Our estimate works the numbers for your own roof and usage.
Grants, export payments and VAT
Most homeowners pay for solar themselves, and solar is 0% VAT until 31 March 2027. Beyond that, the Smart Export Guarantee pays you for the electricity you send back to the grid, and there are grants for some lower-income households, though most of the old national schemes have closed. It is worth knowing what genuinely exists before you assume there is free money on the table.
Get a cost and payback estimate for your home
Put in your postcode and a couple of details and we will model the likely system size, cost, output and payback for your roof.
Go deeper
Common questions
- How much do solar panels cost in the UK?
- A typical 4 kW system, about 10 panels, is around £6,000 to £8,000 fully installed. Smaller 3 kW systems start near £4,500, and larger 6 kW systems run to about £11,000.
- Do I pay VAT on solar panels?
- No. Solar, and a battery fitted at the same time, is 0% VAT in Great Britain until 31 March 2027, when it is due to return to 5%. The installer applies it, so there is nothing to claim.
- How long do solar panels take to pay back?
- For a typical home, around 10 to 15 years at current export rates. It is faster if you use a lot of electricity during the day, and slower if you export most of what you generate.
- What is included in the price?
- Panels, inverter, mounting, cabling, scaffolding for a normal two-storey house, MCS certification and the grid notification. Batteries, EV chargers, bird-proofing and roof repairs are usually extra.
- Are solar panels cheaper in some areas?
- A little. Costs are somewhat higher in London and the South East and lower in the North and Midlands, but the difference is small next to your roof, system size and the kit you choose.