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Solar Panels for Rental Property: Prices in the UK
Solar panels are a great way to produce free and unlimited electricity for your home. As a tenant, solar panels for rental property offer numerous benefits such as lower energy bills, increased efficiency and a more environmentally friendly source of energy.
Moreover, as a tenant in the UK, you will first need your landlord to grant permission to carry on with the installation of solar panels for rental property, as solar panels are considered a permanent fixture to the property.
Once the permission from your landlord is granted, the next step will involve whether or not you need planning permission for the installation of solar panels. Generally, this will not be necessary, however, there are some exceptions.
In the event of not needing planning permission, the installation can then proceed. There are a number of different solar panel installers in the UK, so it is important to get quotes from various companies before you choose one.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the benefits of solar panels for rental property, as well as help you understand the amount of solar panels required according to your personal circumstances and their cost.
While we can give you a good idea of how efficient solar panels installed at your home may be, you can only get a truly accurate assessment by getting advice from a certified solar installer. This is something we can help you with.
Don't spend hours researching solar installers near you. Simply spend a minute or two filling out our short form and we’ll put you in touch with up to 4 solar installers in your area. Compare their solar panel quotes without committing to any orders. Click the button below to get started.
Who benefits from solar panels?
Once the solar panels are installed, both tenants and landlords can start enjoying the benefits of solar panels for rental properties.
However, landlords are the ones who will end up benefiting the most from the installation of solar panels for rental property. This is because solar panels will help reduce electricity costs, increase the property’s value, make the property more attractive to prospective tenants and even obtain profits thanks to the possibility of exporting the excess electricity back to the grid.
In relation to this, the UK government currently offers two solar panel grants for those landlords who want to opt for solar panels for their rental property.
These are the Home Renovation Scheme (HRG) which offers up to £5,000 in funding to homeowners who make energy-efficiency improvements to their properties. The second option is the already explained Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) which allows homeowners to profit by exporting excess electricity produced by solar panels back to the grid.
On the other hand, tenants also benefit from solar panels for rental property, however to a lesser extent. Reduced energy bills can have a positive impact on how much tenants pay for their energy bills if the landlord passes on some of the savings from solar panels.
Overall, tenants are unlikely to see all the financial benefits that come from the installation of solar panels, making landlords the biggest beneficiaries.
How many solar panels do you need?
The number of solar panels needed for a rental property will ultimately depend on personal circumstances and needs, such as energy consumption and the size of the property. Whether you need solar panels for a 2000 sq. ft. house or a 2-bedroom apartment will influence drastically the number and cost of solar panels for your project.
The table below serves as a guide for the approximate number of solar panels you will need according to different energy consumption levels:
| Energy consumption (kWh/year) | Number of solar panels (250W) |
|---|---|
| 3,000-4,000 | 12-16 |
| 4,000-5,000 | 16-20 |
| 5,000-6,000 | 20-24 |
| 6,000-7,000 | 24-28 |
| 7,000-8,000 | 28-32 |
How much do solar panels cost?
Once the number of solar panels is decided, the question surrounding the cost of solar panels may also come to mind.
For instance, the average cost of solar panels in the UK ranges from £6,000 to £9,000 for a typical 4kW system. The total cost will depend on factors such as the size and efficiency of the solar panels, location, and the cost of installation. The costs of solar batteries are not included.
| System size (kW) | Cost (£) |
|---|---|
| 2 kW | £4,000-£5,000 |
| 3 kW | £5,000-£6,000 |
| 4 kW | £6,000 to £9,000 |
| 5 kW | £7,000-£10,000 |
| 6 kW | £8,000-£11,000 |
It is important to note that these are just estimates. The actual cost of your solar panel system will vary depending on a number of factors, such as the size and efficiency of the solar panels, location, and the cost of installation.
To get the best possible price, it is important to get quotes from multiple solar panel installers. In order to help you avoid the unnecessary hassle of researching solar panel installers for hours, we are here to help by providing you with up to 4 completely free and non-binding quotes.
By simply clicking the button below, you’ll get in contact with our trusted network of suppliers.
How much electricity do solar panels save?
The amount of electricity that solar panels save will depend on a number of factors, including the size of the solar panel system, the efficiency of the solar panels, the location of the rental property, and the amount of electricity consumed.
For instance, a 4kW solar panel system in the UK can generate around 2,850 kWh of electricity per year. This means that a 4kW solar panel system could save a household with an average energy consumption of 4,000 kWh per year around £500 per year on their energy bills.
The amount of money that a household can save on their energy bills from solar panels will vary depending on the cost of electricity in the area. However, solar panels can be a good investment for homeowners in the UK, as they can help to reduce energy bills and save money over time.
In the table below we have elaborated a guide showing the annual electricity savings that different solar panel systems can provide in the UK:
| System size (kW) | Annual electricity savings (kWh) | Annual cost savings (£) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1,425 | 250-300 |
| 3 kW | 2,137 | 375-450 |
| 4 kW | 2,850 | 500-600 |
| 5 kW | 3,562 | 625-750 |
| 6 kW | 4,275 | 750-900 |
What is the ROI of solar panels?
The return on investment (ROI) for solar panels in the UK will vary depending on a number of factors, such as the size of the solar panel system, the efficiency, the electricity that the rental property consumes and the location.
Moreover, the average ROI for solar panels in the UK is around 7% per year. This means that a household could expect to make back their investment in solar panels within 14-15 years.
However, it is important to note that the ROI for solar panels can vary significantly depending on the factors mentioned above. For example, a household with a larger solar panel system or a higher electricity consumption will have a higher ROI. Additionally, households in areas with higher electricity rates will also have a higher ROI.
Are solar panels worth it for rental properties?
Overall, after seeing all the advantages that solar panels for rental properties can provide for both landlords and tenants, it is safe to say that solar panels are worth the investment. However, it is true that this will ultimately depend on specific circumstances and needs.
In order to get your personal circumstances assessed by a professional, we can offer you up to 4 free and non-obligation quotes from our trusted suppliers so you don’t have to waste hours of your time looking for the best solar installers near you.
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