Rooftop solar
Rooftop solar: cost, savings and quotes
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A typical 4.5 rooftop system costs about £7,600 fitted. It saves about £743 a year and pays back in about 10 years. Prices vary a lot between installers, so get at least two quotes.
Get quotes
Project Solar
Solar and battery systems for houses; every installer MCS-certified.
Get a quote from Project Solar| Set-up | Typical cost | Saving a year | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panels only | £7,600 | £743 | 10 years |
| Panels and a battery | £12,600 | £910 | 14 years |
A 4.5 kWp south-facing roof making about 3,879 a year (the government's yield figure), 26.32p a kWh (Ofgem price cap), 12p for exported power, and 50% of the output used at home, or 80% with a battery (our assumptions). Your quote and roof will differ. Sunshine by region.
Rooftop or plug-in?
Rooftop panels make five to six times more than an 800 W plug-in kit, but cost ten times as much and need an installer. A plug-in kit suits renters, flats and anyone wanting to start small. Check plug-in solar for your home.
What a good quote includes
- Panel and makes, models and warranties.
- Expected yearly output for your roof and shading.
- Scaffolding, the network operator notification and MCS paperwork.
- Whether a battery is included, and its usable kWh.
Check the installer. Use an MCS-certified installer. You need MCS certification to be paid for the electricity you export, and it is how you know the installer meets the industry standard. Ask for the certificate number and look it up on the MCS website.
Next: home battery cost · getting paid for what you export
Sources: MoneySavingExpert solar panels guide (Energy Saving Trust and The Eco Experts figures); BOXT solar; Project Solar UK; Ofgem: Smart Export Guarantee; MCS: find a certified installer.
Not electrical advice. We compare products and point you to installers; we are not electricians. A registered installer must design and fit rooftop panels, batteries and car chargers, and tell your network operator.