Find the right solar and battery setup for your home.
Understand your options, compare sensible system sizes and request quotes matched to your property—without the hard sell.
Helpful firstClear guidance before you request a quote
Realistic rangesUnderstand likely costs and variables
Matched to your homeProperty, roof and energy use considered
Solar, without the guesswork
A useful starting point before speaking to an installer.
A good solar design is not simply the maximum number of panels that fit. It should balance roof space, expected generation, household use, export payments, future demand and budget.
Panels generate
Solar PV panels turn daylight into direct-current electricity, including on cloudy days.
An inverter converts
The inverter changes it into alternating current that can power normal household appliances.
Your home uses it first
Electricity being generated can reduce the amount you need to import from the grid.
Store or export surplus
Excess can charge a battery or be exported under an eligible export tariff.
Is your home suitable?
South is excellent—but it is not the only workable direction.
East- and west-facing roofs can also generate useful electricity. A split array may produce across a longer part of the day, which can suit households using power in the morning and evening.
Roof area and conditionThe roof must be structurally suitable with enough clear, usable space.
Shading through the yearTrees, chimneys and nearby buildings can reduce output at key times.
Pitch and orientationThese affect projected annual generation and panel layout.
Electrical supplyThe consumer unit, earthing and network connection must be assessed.
July 2026 guide prices
What could solar panels and a home battery cost?
These broad installed ranges are a planning guide, not a quotation. The Energy Saving Trust currently gives around £7,600 as an average 4.5 kWp home solar cost and around £4,600 for a 5 kWh battery.
Compact solar system
2.5–3.5 kWp£5,000–£7,500Smaller roof or lower daytime use
Typical home solar
4–5 kWp£6,500–£9,500Many 2–4 bedroom homes
Larger solar system
5.5–7 kWp£8,000–£12,000Higher use, EV or heat pump
Solar + smaller battery
4–5 kWp + 5 kWh£9,500–£13,500Store surplus for the evening
Solar + larger battery
4–6 kWp + 9–10 kWh£12,000–£17,500Higher evening or overnight use
Battery added separately
5–10 kWh£4,000–£9,500Existing solar or tariff charging
What can change the final price? Scaffolding and roof access, slate or fragile coverings, roof repairs, cable routes, bird protection, optimisers, inverter type, battery capacity, backup-power equipment, consumer-unit work and network requirements. Qualifying residential installations in Great Britain are currently zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027.
Battery sizing made clearer
Choose a battery around your usage—not just house size.
Capacity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Usable capacity, charge/discharge power, warranty cycles and backup capability are as important as the headline number.
| Indicative capacity | Could suit | Points to check |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 kWhSmaller battery | Lower evening use or a compact solar array | May not cover high-power appliances for long |
| 6–10 kWhCommon mid-range | Many family homes seeking more evening self-use | Compare usable capacity and output power |
| 10–15+ kWhLarger storage | Higher consumption, time-of-use charging, EV or heat pump | Extra capacity only helps when it can be used effectively |
Check usable capacity
A battery's advertised capacity and the energy available to use may differ.
Check output power
Capacity says how much it stores; power says how much it can deliver at once.
Ask about backup
Not every battery keeps sockets working during a power cut. Backup may require extra equipment.
Costs are only half the calculation
What determines how much you could save?
Savings cannot be predicted from system size alone. Ask for a personalised generation estimate and a clear explanation of every assumption.
Compare suitable systemsHow much electricity you useYour annual consumption and future plans.
When you use itDaytime self-use often avoids more imported electricity.
Roof yieldOrientation, pitch, shading and local sunlight.
Your import and export tariffsRates and conditions can materially alter the calculation.
From enquiry to generation
What a good installation journey should look like.
Initial questions
Property, roof, bills, usage pattern and future demand.
Desktop assessment
Early layout, likely size and indicative generation.
Home survey
Roof, shading, access, electrics and equipment locations checked.
Written design
Itemised quote, generation forecast and warranties explained.
Installation
Scaffolding, equipment fitting, testing and handover.
Certification
Documentation, network notification and export setup support.
Keep this list
Questions to ask every solar installer.
- ✓ What annual generation is forecast, and what assumptions were used?
- ✓ Is the quote fully itemised, including scaffolding and electrical work?
- ✓ Why is this panel, inverter and battery size recommended?
- ✓ What are the product, performance and workmanship warranties?
- ✓ Who handles network notification, MCS paperwork and export setup?
- ✓ Are bird protection, monitoring and commissioning included?
- ✓ Does the battery provide backup in a power cut?
- ✓ What aftercare is available if something stops working?
Compare more than the headline price.
Ideally compare multiple properly specified quotes. A cheaper system can be poor value if the forecast, components, warranty or aftercare are weaker.
Start the quote questionsFrequently asked questions
Short answers to common solar and battery questions.
Still unsure? Complete the short property form and explain what you want to achieve.
Ask for suitable quotesDo solar panels still work on cloudy days?
Yes. Solar PV panels generate electricity from daylight, not heat, so they still produce on overcast days—just less than in strong direct sunlight.
Does my roof have to face south?
No. South-facing roofs often give the highest annual output, but east- and west-facing roofs can work very well and may spread generation across the morning and afternoon. Roof pitch, shading and usable area matter too.
How many panels will I need?
It depends on the panel wattage, roof space and your electricity use. As a rough example, a 4–5 kWp system often uses around 9–12 modern panels, but a survey and system design are needed for an accurate answer.
Is a home battery always worth adding?
Not always. A battery can increase the amount of solar electricity you use at home, but the right size depends on when you use electricity, your tariff, export rate and future plans such as an EV or heat pump.
Do I normally need planning permission?
Most domestic rooftop solar installations in England are permitted development, subject to limits and conditions. Listed buildings, conservation areas, flat roofs, leasehold homes and unusual installations can need additional checks or consent.
How long does installation take?
Many straightforward domestic installations take one to three days once scaffolding and approvals are in place. Roof condition, electrical upgrades, battery location and system complexity can extend this.
Can I be paid for electricity I export?
Eligible households can apply for a Smart Export Guarantee tariff. Rates and conditions differ by supplier, so compare export tariffs and check the metering and certification requirements.
Are the prices on this page guaranteed?
No. They are broad July 2026 guide ranges for comparison. A written quote should be based on your roof, access, electrical supply, chosen equipment and a proper system design.
Ready when you are
Find a solar and battery setup that makes sense for your home.
Answer a few clear questions and request no-obligation quotes based on your property and priorities.
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