Solar Panels & Battery Storage - UK Costs Guide

Matched using real UK Government EPC data

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Power your home whilst lowering your bills.
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Work with an MCS-certified solar installer.
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Solar panels turn daylight into electricity you can use at home, so you buy less from the grid - and sell back what you don’t use. It’s one of the most proven upgrades in UK homes: fitted at scale for over a decade, with mature technology, clear MCS installer standards and a well-understood payback.

Solar works even harder alongside the rest of your home. Good insulation means you make more of the power you generate, and electric heating or a heat pump gives you more ways to use it rather than export it. And because generation counts toward the official EPC assessment, adding solar can lift your home’s EPC rating too.

Eco Renovate isn’t an installer - we’re the free first step. We check your property against its real government EPC record, then introduce you to one vetted, MCS-certified local installer for your area, never a list of firms chasing your details. They handle the site survey and give you a fixed quote before any work begins.

Why it matters

Key benefits

Lower electricity bills

Electricity generated on your roof and used in your home offsets what you’d otherwise buy from your supplier, reducing your day-to-day import from the grid.

Earn from surplus electricity via the Smart Export Guarantee

Any electricity you generate but don’t use can be sold back to the grid through Ofgem’s Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Suppliers with 150,000+ customers must offer at least one SEG tariff, and rates vary widely between providers, so it’s worth comparing.

0% VAT on installation (currently, until March 2027)

Installing solar panels and battery storage in a residential property in Great Britain currently qualifies for 0% VAT under HMRC’s energy-saving materials relief, running from 2023/2024 to 31 March 2027, after which the rate reverts to 5%.

Can improve your home’s EPC rating

Solar PV generation is one of the factors assessed in the government’s EPC methodology, so installing it can contribute to a better rating alongside other retrofit measures.

Reduced reliance on grid electricity

Pairing panels with a battery lets you store daytime generation and use it in the evening, reducing how much you need to draw from the grid at peak times.

Long-lasting equipment

Solar panels typically carry a 25-year performance warranty alongside a shorter (5-10 year) product warranty; inverters generally need replacing after around 12 years.

Typical UK costs

What it typically costs

The cost of a domestic solar system varies from home to home, depending on the size of the system and your property. Adding battery storage adds to the cost. Your real figure depends on your roof, system size and installer, and should always come from a proper site survey - never an online estimate.

  • System size (kWp) and number of panels needed to match your usage
  • Roof access and whether scaffolding is required
  • Whether the existing roof covering needs renewing before panels are fitted
  • In-roof/integrated panels typically cost more than standard roof-mounted systems
  • Whether you add battery storage, which is priced and quoted separately
  • 0% VAT currently applies to qualifying solar and battery installations in Great Britain until 31 March 2027, after which the rate reverts to 5%
How it works

From EPC check to finished work

We check your EPC

We start from your property’s real government Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) data to understand its current performance and where solar could realistically fit.

Speak to your local installer

Based on your EPC and location, we match you to a single MCS-certified retrofit installer covering your area - not a list of leads sold to multiple companies.

Installer assessment and fixed quote

The installer visits (or reviews remotely) to check roof orientation, pitch, shading and structural condition, then provides a fixed quote before any work is agreed.

Installation

MCS-certified installers typically fit a standard roof-mounted panel system in a single day; adding battery storage or electrical upgrades can extend this.

Updated EPC and ongoing savings

Once complete, your installer supports MCS certification and SEG registration, and your EPC record can be updated to reflect the new solar generation.

Solar & battery FAQs

Frequently asked questions

How much does a solar panel system cost?
A typical domestic solar PV supply-and-install varies from home to home, depending on your system size and property. Adding battery storage adds to the cost. Your exact figure depends on your roof, system size and installer, and should come from a proper site assessment rather than an online estimate. 0% VAT currently applies until 31 March 2027.
How much could I save on my energy bills?
It depends on your system size and how much electricity you use, but the more of your own generation you use in the home, the more you cut from your grid import. A battery lifts this further by storing daytime power for the evening, and any surplus you export earns money through the Smart Export Guarantee. Homes that generate more than they use can end up with a very low - or even negative - import bill.
What incentives are available?
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) pays you for the surplus electricity you export - rates vary a lot by supplier (from around 6p up to 25p+ per kWh, with a market average of roughly 10.8p for 2024-25), so it’s worth comparing. Installations also currently qualify for 0% VAT until 31 March 2027. Depending on where you live and your circumstances, regional low-cost financing or grant schemes may also apply.
Do solar panels work in the UK’s cloudy weather?
Yes. Panels run on daylight, not heat, so they still generate on grey, overcast days - output is simply lower than in bright sun. Homes right across Britain, from the south coast to northern Scotland, generate well over the course of a year, and a battery helps you make the most of every unit you produce.
How uch electricity will my panels generate?
A typical 4kW system in the UK produces roughly 3,400-4,000 kWh a year, depending on your roof’s direction, pitch and any shading. When you request a quote, your matched installer models an accurate figure for your exact roof rather than relying on a rule-of-thumb.
Should I add a battery?
A battery (an extra cost on top of the panels) stores daytime generation for evening use and cuts how much you draw from the grid at peak times - but it adds to the upfront cost and extends payback versus panels alone. Some independent guidance suggests prioritising panel capacity first and adding a battery later as prices fall. Your installer can model it against your actual usage rather than treating it as a default upsell.
Will I need planning permission?
For most homes, roof-mounted solar counts as “permitted development” and needs no full planning permission, provided certain limits and conditions are met. Listed buildings are the exception - formal consent is required - and conservation areas may need permission depending on visibility and local rules. Your installer or local planning authority can confirm exactly what applies to your property.
How long do solar panels last?
Panels typically carry a 25-year performance warranty alongside a shorter (5-10 year) product warranty; inverters generally need replacing after around 12 years. Upkeep is minimal - usually just an occasional clean and the odd inspection.
Do I need a south-facing roof?
A south-facing roof is ideal, but far from essential - east or west-facing roofs typically generate around 15-20% less and are still well worth doing. North-facing roofs generally aren’t recommended, and shading from trees, chimneys or neighbouring buildings reduces output. A proper site assessment confirms suitability rather than relying on satellite estimates alone.
How do you choose my installer?
We’re not the installer - our job is to find you the right one. We check your property against its real government EPC data and match you with a single vetted, MCS-certified local installer, so you get one trusted quote rather than your details sold to a panel of firms. There’s no cost, and no obligation to go ahead.

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