How much do solar panels cost in the UK?
Solar panels cost most UK homes between £5,000 and £12,000 fully installed in 2026, depending on system size. A typical 3-bedroom home fits a 3 to 4 kWp system for roughly £5,000 to £8,000, while a larger 4 or 5-bedroom home often needs 5 to 7 kWp at around £7,000 to £12,000. Adding a battery adds a further £2,500 to £6,000.
The price you pay depends mostly on how big a system your home needs, which is driven by your electricity usage and roof space. Below is the typical installed cost by system size, then the factors that move the figure up or down.
Solar panel cost by system size
System size is measured in kilowatts peak (kWp). A modern panel is around 400W, so a 5 kWp system is about 13 panels. These are fully installed prices including panels, inverter, fitting, scaffolding and certification.
| System size | Panels (approx) | Suits | Installed cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 kWp | 8 panels | Smaller home, lower usage | £5,000 to £6,500 |
| 4 kWp | 10 panels | 3-bed home | £6,000 to £8,000 |
| 5 kWp | 13 panels | 3 to 4-bed home | £7,000 to £9,000 |
| 6 kWp | 15 panels | 4-bed home | £8,500 to £10,500 |
| 7 kWp | 18 panels | Large or high-usage home | £9,500 to £12,000 |
What drives the price up or down
- System size: more panels means a higher total but usually a lower cost per kWp.
- Battery storage: a home battery adds £2,500 to £6,000 and increases the savings you keep.
- Roof type and access: complex roofs, three storeys or extra scaffolding raise the labour cost.
- Panel and inverter brand: premium hardware with longer warranties costs more upfront.
- Bird protection, optimisers and a new consumer unit are common small extras.
Is the price worth it?
Most UK homeowners save between £400 and £1,150 a year on electricity once solar is installed, depending on system size, how much energy they use during daylight and whether they have a battery. That puts the payback period at roughly 6 to 10 years, after which the electricity is effectively free for the remaining life of the system, which is typically 25 years or more.
You also earn money for the energy you export to the grid through the Smart Export Guarantee, currently worth around 15p per kWh on a good tariff.
How to get an accurate figure for your home
The fastest way to see your likely cost is to run the numbers for your own postcode, roof direction and electricity bill. The SunSum calculator does this in under a minute using UK regional generation data, current install prices and Smart Export Guarantee rates, with no payment details required.
Frequently asked questions
- How much do solar panels cost for a typical UK house?
- A typical 3 to 4-bedroom UK house pays roughly £6,000 to £9,000 for a 4 to 5 kWp solar system installed in 2026, before any battery.
- Are solar panels cheaper in 2026?
- Panel hardware prices have fallen over the last decade and VAT on residential solar is currently 0% in the UK, so installed prices are competitive. Labour and scaffolding remain the main fixed costs.
- Does the price include installation?
- The ranges above are fully installed prices: panels, inverter, fitting, scaffolding and MCS certification. A battery is priced separately.
Related questions
Indicative estimates based on UK average data. Last updated 26 May 2026.