Solar panels for a 4-bedroom house
A 4-bedroom UK house typically needs a 5 to 6 kWp solar system of around 13 to 15 panels, costing £7,000 to £10,500 fully installed in 2026. It generates roughly 4,000 to 5,000 kWh a year and saves about £450 to £950 on electricity, or up to £1,000 with a battery, giving a payback of around 7 to 9 years.
A 4-bedroom home uses about 4,500 kWh of electricity a year on average, more if it has an electric vehicle or heat pump. A 5 to 6 kWp system is the usual fit.
Cost and savings at a glance
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| System size | 5 to 6 kWp (13 to 15 panels) |
| Installed cost | £7,000 to £10,500 |
| Battery (optional) | £3,500 to £5,000 |
| Annual generation | ~4,000 to 5,000 kWh |
| Annual saving | £450 to £950 (more with a battery) |
| Payback | About 7 to 9 years |
Should you size up?
If you have, or plan to add, an electric vehicle or heat pump, it is often worth sizing to 6 or 7 kWp and adding a battery. An EV alone can add 2,000 to 3,500 kWh a year to your usage, and a larger system keeps more of that demand off the grid.
What affects your figure
- Roof direction and pitch, and any shading.
- Daytime occupancy and whether you add a battery.
- EV or heat pump plans, which raise usage and the ideal system size.
Get your 4-bed estimate
The SunSum calculator sizes a system for your 4-bedroom home and shows cost, saving and payback from your postcode and bill.
Frequently asked questions
- How many solar panels for a 4-bedroom house?
- About 13 to 15 panels (a 5 to 6 kWp system) suit a typical 4-bedroom UK house, or up to 18 with an EV.
- How much do solar panels cost for a 4-bed house?
- Roughly £7,000 to £10,500 installed for the panels, plus £3,500 to £5,000 if you add a battery.
Related questions
Indicative estimates based on UK average data. Last updated 26 May 2026.