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Solar Panels in Wales: A Comprehensive 2024 Guide
- In Wales, most homes install 4kW solar systems and 5kW solar systems, which have a price that can range from £11,000 – £12,000 on average.
- If you’re interested in installing solar panels in Wales, it might be useful to know that on average a 4kW solar panel system, for instance, will allow you to annually save £660 on your energy bills.
- In addition, there are also various grants and schemes available in Wales that will allow you to save up and even earn some extra money if you finally decide to opt for solar panels, with generous grants and schemes such as Nest Wales, ECO4 and the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
Are you thinking about harnessing the unlimited power of solar energy and installing solar panels in Wales, but have concerns about their efficiency?
Despite Wales not being widely known for its sunny weather, the common question about the efficiency and worth of solar panels in Wales remains. Are solar panels worth it and are there any solar panel grants available in Wales?
In this article, we will navigate you through all there is to know about solar panels in Wales, including their efficiency, costs, and government support schemes while also helping you find the best suppliers of solar panels in Wales.
By using our tailored service, we can spare you from the hassle of spending countless hours of your time looking for local solar installers and guarantee that you’ll be getting the best solar panels in the UK.
If you are interested in buying solar panels in Wales, simply click the button below and fill in our 30-second form to receive up to 4 free, non-binding solar quotes from our trusted network of solar panel installers.
- Quotes from local installers
- Payment by finance available
- Save up to £660 per year
- What is the solar panel price in Wales?
- How much can you save by installing solar panels in Wales?
- Are there solar panel grants in Wales?
- How effective are solar panels in Wales?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar panels in Wales?
- How many solar panels do you need in Wales?
- How to find the best local solar panel installers in Wales?
- FAQ
What is the solar panel price in Wales?
Similarly to the rest of the UK, the average solar panel price in Wales is around £5,000 to £13,000. Moreover, the cost will also depend on how many panels you need for your home. For reference, a 5kW solar system costs between £11,000 and £12,000 while a 4kW system costs between £9,000 and £10,000.
Furthermore, the final solar panel price in Wales will vary depending on numerous factors, such as where you live within Wales, the size of the system you choose, and the required electrical output. Other factors that can affect the cost of solar panels in Wales include the addition of solar battery storage and the complexity involved throughout the installation process.
In 2024, the cost of solar panels in Wales will vary depending on several factors, and the price per kilowatt (kW) system can provide a clear understanding of the price range. The table below offers an overview of the average prices for each system size:
A 12kW solar system caters to even larger households, typically costing around £15,000 – £17,000.
Please note that the prices shown above include both supply and installation, moreover, they are also approximate and may vary based on the specific circumstances of your installation. For this reason, it is highly advisable to get in touch with a professional to have your unique characteristics personally assessed.
How much can you save by installing solar panels in Wales?
By installing solar panels in Wales, and taking the 4kW solar panel system as a reference, you can expect to annually save up to £660 on your electricity bills, making solar panels an excellent choice if you’re looking to reduce both utility bills and your carbon footprint for the coming year.
In order to help you make a final decision, we have compiled a table with the annual savings you can expect to obtain from installing solar panels for your home. Having said this, it is also worth mentioning the existence of generous schemes that are available to homeowners in Wales, such as the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a government-backed program that pays homeowners for the electricity they generate from their solar panels and export to the grid. The SEG pays a fixed tariff rate of 5p per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for exported electricity.
The tariff for exporting solar energy may differ depending on the supplier, but a favourable rate falls within the range of 4-20p/kWh. As a consumer, you have the freedom to select any supplier for your SEG tariff. It is not mandatory to choose the same supplier that provides your electricity, although opting for them may result in better rates.
The SEG allows homeowners to export the surplus of energy produced by their solar panels back to the grid, allowing them to pay off the upfront costs of solar panels sooner than expected.
The scheme is available to homeowners located in Wales, England and Scotland with an installation of one of the following renewable energy technologies up to a capacity of 5MW, or up to 50kW for micro-CHP:
- Solar photovoltaic (solar PV)
- Wind
- Micro combined heat and power (micro-CHP)
- Hydro
- Anaerobic digestion (AD).
| System size | Average annual savings | Break-even point |
|---|---|---|
| 3kW | £440 | 14 |
| 4kW | £660 | 12 |
| 6kW | £1,005 | 11 |
Are there solar panel grants in Wales?
Apart from the SEG, numerous grants are currently ongoing to encourage the adoption of solar panels in Wales. If the potential savings mentioned earlier have not completely persuaded you about the benefits of installing solar panels, the two main solar panel grants in Wales might do so: the Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) and the Nest Scheme.
Main solar panel schemes and grants in Wales:
- Nest Wales scheme
- ECO4
- SEG
The ECO4 scheme is a government-funded program that provides up to £14,000 for low-income households with an EPC rating of D or below, while the Nest Wales scheme provides up to £10,000 for households with an EPC rating of E, F, or G.
The EPC is valid for 10 years and must be provided free of charge by the property owner when the property is either a rental property or is up for sale. Moreover, in Wales, all private sector properties must have an EPC with a minimum rating of E.
Current regulations forbid landlords from letting properties with an EPC rating lower than F or G and from April 1st 2023, landlords in Wales will be required to ensure that their rental properties meet the minimum EPC rating.
The new EPC regulations require that properties that are rented out in Wales with a rating of F or G need to have improvements made to meet the minimum EPC rating.
Other support programs include the zero per cent VAT for the installation of solar panels in the UK, meaning that homeowners will not have to pay VAT on the cost of their solar panel installation.
In addition to these grants and incentives, there are also several other ways to save money on solar panel installation. By comparing quotes from different installers, you can rest assured you’re making an informed decision and not missing out on the best deals in the market.
Thankfully, here at Household Quotes, we’re ready to help you achieve this and save precious hours of your time by doing the hard work of searching for installers in your local area.
By simply clicking the button below and completing our short 30-second online form, you can receive up to 4 free and non-binding quotes from our trusted suppliers:
- Quotes from local installers
- Payment by finance available
- Save up to £660 per year
How effective are solar panels in Wales?
The efficiency of most domestic solar panels in the UK ranges from 15-20%, with some types reaching up to 25%. Commercial solar panels typically have an efficiency rating of 15-20%. This efficiency represents the amount of sunlight converted into electricity compared to the sunlight reflected on the panels.
Although the average efficiency rating of 15-20% may appear to be low, it is important to note that it is consistent with standards seen in other countries.
Only a portion of the solar energy radiated by the sun can be converted into electricity, resulting in a significant loss of heat. Nonetheless, a 4kW solar panel system, for example, can substantially decrease energy bills and carbon emissions. While solar panel efficiency is expected to improve with technological advancements, it is almost certain it will never reach 100%.
Contrary to popular belief, Wales enjoys a relatively high number of sunshine hours, which makes solar panels a perfectly viable option for energy generation. However, the amount of sunshine varies, with Cardiff having an average of 1573 hours of sunlight per year, while in Llandrindod Wells, the average goes down to 1279 hours per year.
Further examples of the efficiency of solar panels can also be seen elsewhere in the UK, solar panels in Scotland for example, despite its northern climate, can still serve as a viable energy source. The region receives enough sunlight hours to offset energy consumption with a sufficiently powerful system.
The efficiency of a solar system can be influenced by several factors such as the direction of the panels and the time of year. Generally, south-facing panels are more efficient than north-facing ones throughout the year, as this is the best angle for solar panels across the UK.
Moreover, for solar panels to function effectively, several factors need to be considered. Some of these factors include:
- Average energy consumption
- Size of the solar system
- Type of solar panels
- Quality of the installation
If you’d like to make use of solar power as part of your central heating system, then you can install solar water heating for domestic hot water.
Efficiency of solar panels in South Wales
Wales enjoys a relatively high amount of sunshine hours per year in the context of the UK, making solar panels in Wales work effectively. However, the efficiency of the solar system will mainly depend on the direction of the panels and the time of the year.
As mentioned above, south-facing solar panels are more efficient than those that are north-facing. This has direct repercussions on the efficiency of solar panels in Wales.
Although it’s true that in South Wales there are on average more sunshine hours per year than in North Wales, making their southern counterparts slightly better off when it comes to solar panel efficiency, the efficiency of solar panels will depend on multiple other factors too, such as the average energy consumption of your home and the overall quality of the installation.
Efficiency of solar panels in North Wales
While there is a slight difference in sunshine hours between North Wales and South Wales, this difference shouldn’t be a significant factor in determining the suitability of solar panels in North Wales. Solar panels not only depend on the amount of sunlight but also on other factors such as the quality of the installation and more importantly the direction of the panels.
Deciding to invest in solar panels in Wales may seem like a risky business due to the bad weather conditions and the high upfront costs. However, homeowners can still rely on solar panels to save up on their energy bills while also becoming more environmentally conscious.
This is possible thanks to the numerous incentives and solar panel grants in Wales. Schemes like the Nest Wales scheme and the SEG not only support homeowners in their decision to opt for the installation of solar panels in Wales, but also allow them to obtain significant savings on energy bills and even additional income from exporting back to the grid surplus power.
Still have doubts regarding the efficiency of solar panels in North Wales? Fear not, since here at Household Quotes we’re here to help you during your decision-making process.
By offering you up to 4 free and non-binding quotes from our trusted suppliers, you will not only save hours of your time looking for local solar panel installers, but you will also rest assured that you’re in good hands by getting personalised advice in line with your circumstances.
Click the link below and complete our form in less than 30 seconds to get started:
- Quotes from local installers
- Payment by finance available
- Save up to £660 per year
What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar panels in Wales?
To guide you through the daunting process of deciding whether or not you want solar panels for your home in Wales, we have compiled a list of the main advantages and disadvantages when it comes to solar panel installation:
- Unlimited source of energy: Solar panels can provide an unlimited, green and renewable energy source, unlike more traditional fossil fuel energy sources.
- Year-round performance: Panels peak in summer due to more sunlight, but still benefit in winter. The farther south in Wales, the higher the annual output.
- Generous grants and schemes: To promote solar energy in Wales, there are various schemes and grants available, such as the Nest Scheme, ECO4 and the SEG.
- Stable supply of electricity: Switching from volatile energy prices and over-reliance on supplied electricity to solar energy can provide a stable and environmentally friendly supply of electricity.
- Reduced maintenance: Solar panels require little maintenance.
- No planning permission is needed: The installation of solar panels in Wales on a single residential roof is considered ‘permitted development’ under planning law, usually not requiring planning permission. However, there are important exceptions and conditions to consider. These rules apply to residential houses.
On the other hand, while solar panels in Wales can undeniably be considered as advantageous for consumers, they also present the following disadvantages:
- Over-reliance on weather conditions: Dependent on Wales’ weather conditions.
- High initial upfront installation costs.
- Sufficient roof space needed: Solar panels require at least 30 cm of space around them, and you may need to compromise on panel size or quantity to fit your needs.
- Strong enough roof to support the weight of solar panels: Your roof must support the weight of solar panels, and if it’s old or damaged, it may need repair or replacement before installation.
How many solar panels do you need in Wales?
When it comes to the question of how many solar panels do I need to determine the exact number of solar panels for your home in Wales, it comes down to your annual electricity consumption, the size of your roof, and the efficiency of the solar panels you choose (checking your energy bills will give you an approximate idea of this).
| How many solar panels do I need? (By house size) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| House size | Solar panel system size | Number of solar panels (350W) | Number of solar panels (450W) |
| Small; 1-2 bedrooms | 2 – 3 kW | 5 – 8 | 4 – 6 |
| Medium; 2-3 bedrooms | 4 – 5 kW | 10 -13 | 8 – 10 |
| Large; 4-5 bedrooms | 6 kW | 16 | 13 |
Generally, solar panels for domestic use will range between 350W to 450W. However, depending on your home’s average energy needs, solar panels with a higher output might be a good idea. On average, UK households have an electricity consumption of 1,800 kWh.
How to find the best local solar panel installers in Wales?
In Wales, an increasing number of homeowners are embracing the benefits of solar panel installation, taking advantage of the sun’s unlimited power and the various incentives and grants available. If you’re considering solar panel installation, it’s crucial to choose a reputable installer.
Here at HouseholdQuotes, we offer a free and non-obligation service that connects you with expert professionals in the field by simply completing our short 30-second online form, saving precious hours of your time instead of the hassle of searching for installers by yourself.
We understand that the process of installing solar panels can be overwhelming, which is why our service streamlines the search for the right professional and helps you secure a tailored offer for your home.
To receive up to 4 free, non-binding quotes, simply click the link below and take the first step towards a sustainable future.
- Quotes from local installers
- Payment by finance available
- Save up to £660 per year
FAQ
Alejandro, a copywriter at Household Quotes with a background in law and content creation, is passionate about sustainable and affordable home improvements, and how the EU is adapting its policies to combat climate change.
- Solar Panels in Wales: A Comprehensive 2024 Guide
- What is the solar panel price in Wales?
- How much can you save by installing solar panels in Wales?
- Are there solar panel grants in Wales?
- How effective are solar panels in Wales?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar panels in Wales?
- How many solar panels do you need in Wales?
- How to find the best local solar panel installers in Wales?
- FAQ