Compare home solar panels in the UK

Get tailored solar quotes for your home

Solar isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your roof shape, shading, electricity usage, and whether you want a battery can all change the best system—and the payback. Tell us a little about your home and we’ll help you compare suitable options from UK installers.

Prefer to browse first? Jump to costs & savings or eligibility.

Lower electricity bills

Use the power you generate during daylight hours and reduce what you buy from your supplier. The best results come from matching generation to usage.

Earn from exports (SEG)

Export surplus electricity back to the grid and get paid via the Smart Export Guarantee—rates vary by supplier and tariff.

Add a battery for flexibility

Store solar generation for evening use, or charge cheaply off-peak (tariff dependent). Great for households with higher evening demand.

Boost EPC & home appeal

Solar can improve the energy performance profile of a property. For some buyers, lower running costs are a strong selling point.

Cut your carbon footprint

Generate clean electricity on your roof and reduce household emissions—especially when you’re shifting usage to daytime.

More control over energy

Combine solar, battery, and smart meter data to track usage, set schedules, and get the most from your generation.

What affects payback?

• Your annual electricity use and daytime usage patterns
• Roof orientation (south/east/west), pitch and shading
• System size (kWp), panel efficiency and inverter setup
• Battery capacity and how you charge/discharge it
• Your electricity tariff and SEG export rate

A battery can be a good fit if…

• You use more power after 5pm
• You want steadier bills year-round
• You’re on (or plan) a smart tariff

Questions to ask installers

• Usable capacity vs headline capacity
• Warranty years and cycle limits
• Backup capability (if required) and extra hardware

When a battery may not help much

• Your daytime usage is already high
• Budget is tight—PV first often brings most benefit
• Your system exports most power and you’re happy with SEG

Roof & location

• Orientation: South is strong, but east/west can still perform well.
• Shading: Trees/chimneys/dormers can reduce output; optimisers may help.
• Roof condition: If a roof needs work soon, do it before fitting panels.
• Space: Panel count depends on roof area and obstructions.

Permissions & practicalities

• Planning: Many installs are permitted development, but rules vary (e.g., listed buildings).
• DNO: Some systems need permission to connect/export.
• Scaffolding & access: Affects cost and timelines.
• Smart meter: Often useful for export and tariff optimisation.

1) Choosing purely on the lowest price

Cheaper quotes may cut corners on inverter choice, mounting, monitoring, or aftercare. Compare equipment specs and warranties, not just the headline cost.

2) Oversizing without a plan

More panels aren’t always better if you can’t use or export the extra effectively. A well-matched system can outperform a larger poorly matched one.

3) Ignoring shading and roof aspects

If your roof has partial shading, ask how the design addresses it (layout, optimisers, microinverters, string design). Shading analysis should be part of a quality proposal.

4) Not setting up export properly

Export payments depend on eligibility and metering. Ask the installer what you need for SEG and whether DNO approvals apply for your system size.

Do solar panels work on cloudy days?

Yes. Panels generate electricity from daylight, so output drops in heavy cloud but doesn’t stop. Annual yield is driven by location, shading and system design.

Can I get paid for exporting electricity?

You may be eligible for the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) if your system and metering meet the requirements. Payments and rates vary by supplier.

How long do solar panels last?

Many panels have long performance warranties (often 20–25 years) and can continue generating beyond that, though output gradually degrades over time.

Will solar work with a heat pump or EV?

Often, yes. The biggest gains come from smart charging/scheduling to use solar generation when available. A battery can help shift solar into evening use.

Do I need planning permission?

Many domestic installs fall under permitted development, but there are exceptions (e.g., listed buildings, conservation areas, certain roof placements). Your installer should advise.

What should I check in a quote?

System size (kWp), expected annual generation, panel/inverter models, warranty terms, monitoring, scaffolding, DNO application, and whether SEG support is included.