Solar panels
What solar panels cost, what they generate where you live, and how long they take to pay back, with or without a battery.
The short answer
- £5,000 to £7,000 for a typical 4 kW system, at 0% VAT until 31 March 2027
- About £480 to £560 a year in bill savings and export payments on a south facing roof
- About 11 to 13 years to pay for itself, or about 21 years with a battery
Calculators
Guides
Are Solar Panels Worth It in the UK?Yes, for most homes with a sunny roof. A 4 kW system costs £5,000 to £7,000, brings in about £560 a year and pays back in about 11 years.
Solar Panel Payback: How Long to Break Even?Solar panel payback in the UK: 10.8 years for a 4 kW system in southern England, 12.6 in Scotland and about 21 years with a battery.
Solar Battery Storage UK 2026A 5 kWh home battery costs about £4,600 and adds about £180 a year to a 4 kW solar system, so it rarely pays back before it needs replacing.Solar Panel Payback by RegionHow long solar panels take to pay back in each part of Great Britain, from 10.8 years in the south to 12.6 years in Scotland, with a map of every region.Solar Payback in South and East EnglandA 4 kW solar system in southern England costs about £6,000, earns about £556 a year and pays back in about 10.8 years. By size, roof and battery.Solar Payback in the MidlandsA 4 kW solar system in the Midlands costs about £6,000, earns about £526 a year and pays back in about 11.4 years. By size, roof and battery.Solar Payback in Northern EnglandA 4 kW solar system in northern England costs about £6,000, earns about £505 a year and pays back in about 11.9 years. By size, roof and battery.Solar Payback in WalesA 4 kW solar system in Wales costs about £6,000, earns about £526 a year and pays back in about 11.4 years. By size, roof and battery.Solar Payback in ScotlandA 4 kW solar system in Scotland costs about £6,000, earns about £477 a year and pays back in about 12.6 years. By size, roof and battery.
Solar Output by CouncilHow much electricity solar panels make in every UK council, from the European Commission PVGIS model, on a map. Find your council.