The most popular solar panel system for households is 4kW, and costs between £5,000 and £8,000. Solar panels aren’t really sold individually—you buy several panels as one connected system, known as an array. How much your system costs will depend on:
the amount of electricity (in kilowatts, or kW) it can produce
| Size of solar panel system | Number of panels (approx.) | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1kW | 4 | £1,500–£3,000 |
| 2kW | 8 | £3,000–£4,000 |
| 3kW | 12 | £4,000–£5,000 |
| 4kW | 16 | £5,000–£8,000 |
Yes. A 4kW system selling for between £5,000 and £8,000 in 2018 cost nearly £15,000 in 2010. And that cost is predicted to fall further, for a number of reasons:
This depends not only on the size of your solar panel system, but some other factors too.
Solar panels only generate electricity when the sun’s out, and some areas of the UK receive more sunlight than others (southern England is sunnier than northern Scotland, for instance).
It needs to be free from shadows and obstacles. South-facing roofs get the best results, although solar panels will still work on roofs facing east or west.
The tariff you receive was determined by:
A higher tariff means more money. The Energy Saving Trust’s website shows you how much you can expect to save by installing solar panels on your home (scroll down for the ‘Costs and savings’ table).
If these go up—as is often the case—having your own supply of electricity helps you stay on top of your bills and gives you a greater return on investment. Example You install a 4kW solar panel system on a home in Yorkshire with a south-facing roof, at a cost of between £5,000 and £8,000 Each year, you:
The estimates given above would typically include the price of installation.
Solar panels have a lifespan of 25 years, but often last a lot longer. Fortunately, they have very few components that need replacing during that time. One part you may have to change, however, is the inverter. A new inverter costs between £500 and £1,000. Most inverters come with a guarantee of around five years, but can last much longer. The inverter:
Most manufacturers recommend that you clean your solar panels every six months. You can clean them yourself or use a specialist company that will charge around £40 for the work. Read more in our guide to cleaning and maintaining solar panels.
Solar panels are an expensive purchase and a major change to your home. Out on the roof, they’re also exposed to weather damage, falling trees and even vandalism. So it’s prudent to have insurance in place. Contact your buildings insurance company to check whether your solar panels are covered under your existing policy. If not, most companies will provide cover for no extra charge.
