The range you'll find quoted online — 'solar panels cost £3,000 to £20,000' — is technically accurate but practically useless. We'll give you real numbers, including our own fixed-price packages, what makes systems cheaper or more expensive, and what to watch for when comparing quotes.
What a complete home solar system costs in 2026
A complete system — panels, inverter, battery, monitoring, and professional installation — costs between £5,999 and £12,000 for most UK homes, depending on system size. Here are real fixed prices from our current packages:
| Package | System size | Battery | Price (0% VAT) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package 3 | 6 × 465W panels (2.79 kWp) | 5.76 kWh | £5,999 | Smaller homes, lower usage |
| Package 2 | 8 × 465W panels (3.72 kWp) | 5.76 kWh | £6,999 | 3–4 bed homes, average usage |
| Package 1 | 12 × 465W panels (5.58 kWp) | 11 kWh | £9,000 | Larger homes, EV owners, high usage |
Every package includes: DMEGC 465W panels, Fox ESS hybrid inverter, Levelise Hub smart controller, scaffolding to one elevation, full MCS-certified installation, DNO application, and NICEIC sign-off. Zero VAT applied at point of sale.
Fixed prices
What's included in a proper installation — and what to check
Not all solar quotes are equal. When comparing prices, check exactly what is and isn't included:
| Item | Should be included? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Panel supply and installation | Always | |
| Inverter | Always | Check type: hybrid (solar + battery) vs standard string |
| Battery | Check carefully | Many quotes are panels + inverter only — no battery |
| Scaffolding | Should be included | Some installers charge separately — ask upfront |
| DNO application | Should be included | Required by the grid operator — some charge extra |
| MCS certificate | Must be included | Required for SEG and grants — non-negotiable |
| App/monitoring setup | Should be included | Worth confirming |
| Smart tariff setup | Bonus | Ask if they'll help you switch |
What affects the cost
Several factors influence the final price beyond panel count:
- Number of panels and battery size: the biggest driver. Size should match your usage, not just your roof.
- Roof complexity: a single-pitch roof is cheapest. Multiple elevations, valleys, or complex cable routing adds cost.
- Inverter type: hybrid inverters cost more than standard string inverters but are the right choice if you're adding a battery.
- Panel brand and specification: budget panels may carry shorter warranties and higher degradation rates. We use DMEGC 465W panels as standard — top-tier spec without the premium brand markup.
- Location: labour costs vary regionally. Northern England is typically 10–15% cheaper than London and the South East for the same quality installation.
Why some quotes are much lower — and why that matters
You'll see quotes for 4-panel systems with no battery for under £4,000. These aren't necessarily bad installs — but they're a different product. A system without a battery exports a large portion of generation at 4–15p/kWh SEG rates and imports from the grid at 24–28p/kWh in the evenings. The economics are weaker.
More concerning are very low quotes that include a battery. If a battery system is priced significantly below market rate, the most likely explanations are: cheaper panels with higher degradation rates, a smaller battery than stated, no MCS certificate (which voids SEG eligibility and some warranties), or workmanship that won't meet NICEIC standards.
Warning
See fixed-price packages
Three transparent options from £5,999 — or get a personalised quote in one working day.
Financing options
If upfront cost is a barrier, there are several routes:
- 0% finance: some installers (including us) can arrange 0% interest finance over 12–24 months — check terms carefully.
- Green loans: some banks offer dedicated green home improvement loans at below-market rates (Barclays, Nationwide, First Direct).
- Warm Homes Plan: for lower-income households, government funding can cover solar + battery at no upfront cost.
- Equity release / remortgage: for homeowners with equity, adding solar cost to a low-rate mortgage can make the monthly cost negligible vs the monthly bill saving.
The maths
Getting a quote that's actually useful
A useful solar quote should show you: the exact system specification (panel brand, kWp, battery brand and kWh), estimated annual generation, estimated annual bill saving, estimated SEG earnings, payback period, and all warranties. If a quote doesn't include all of these, ask for them.
We provide all of this within one working day of your enquiry — from a renewable energy engineer, not a salesperson.
Frequently asked questions
Has the cost of solar panels gone down recently?
Yes — panel prices have fallen around 90% over the past decade and stabilised over the last 2–3 years. Battery prices have continued to fall slightly. The current market offers good value relative to the technology's performance and lifespan.
Is there still 0% VAT on solar panels?
Yes. The 0% VAT rate on solar panel installation was introduced in April 2022 and is currently legislated through March 2027. At our package prices, this represents a saving of approximately £1,200–£1,800 vs the standard 20% rate.
Do I need to pay a deposit?
A typical deposit for a home solar install is 10–25% of the total cost. Anything above 30% is unusual and worth questioning. We're HIES members, which means deposits are protected under a consumer protection scheme.
Can I get solar for free?
For households that qualify for Warm Homes Plan or ECO4 funding, solar and battery installation can be fully or heavily subsidised. Eligibility is based on household income, benefits received, and your property's EPC rating. We check this as part of our free energy review.
