Solar panel costs, UK 2026.

The headline numbers

Typical fitted prices for 2026, including panels, inverter, scaffolding, labour and certification (but before any SEG payments or grant savings):

What drives the price

1. System size

Bigger systems cost more up front but much less per kW. A 4kW system typically works out at ~£1,800/kW; a 6kW with battery at ~£2,200/kW (batteries push the average up).

2. Panel brand

Tier 1 brands (JA Solar, LONGi, Jinko) add very little over generic. Premium brands like SunPower, REC Alpha or Panasonic EverVolt can add £500–£2,000 to a typical install but deliver better efficiency and longer warranties (25-40 years product warranty vs 12-15).

3. Battery storage

A 5kWh battery adds £3,000–£5,000. A 10kWh battery adds £5,000–£8,000. Batteries are the biggest single cost driver — and often the biggest single saving, because they let you self-consume cheap off-peak electricity overnight on tariffs like Octopus Go.

4. Roof type & access

Standard pitched slate or tile: easiest, cheapest. Flat roofs need a ballasted frame (+£500–£1,000). Listed buildings or conservation-area homes often need roof-integrated panels (+£2,000+). Scaffolding for awkward-access properties can add £500–£1,500.

5. Inverter type

String inverters are standard (most installs). Micro-inverters or power optimisers (SolarEdge, Enphase) add £500–£1,500 but improve performance on shaded or complex roofs.

6. Region

London and the South East are consistently 5-15% more expensive than the Midlands or North for the same spec. Scotland and Wales are usually the cheapest regions, but availability of MCS-certified installers can be thinner in rural areas.

What you get back

A well-sized 4kW system with battery in a typical UK home returns:

• £700–£1,500/year bill savings from self-consumption
• £100–£300/year from Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments on exported surplus
• Payback in 8–12 years; 25-year useful life

2026 discounts that stack

• 0% VAT on solar installations until April 2027 — worth ~£1,000 on a typical install
• ECO4 — free or heavily discounted installs for income-qualifying households
• SEG — export tariff paid by your energy supplier, 3–15p/kWh