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Are Solar Panels Worth It in the UK? An Expert Guide (2024)
- A complete solar panel installation will cost approximately £5,000 - £6,000 for a 4kW system.
- The average UK household saves up to £660 on their energy bills by installing a 4kW solar panel system with a return on investment period of 8 years.
- Solar panels last around 25 years, making solar panels worth it for the average UK home.
As a homeowner interested in reducing your energy expenses, you might have asked yourself: “Are solar panels worth it?” The short answer is: Yes! Installing solar panels in the UK has several advantages, with the main ones being that you will be able to lower your carbon footprint and avoid overspending on your energy bills.
In what follows, we will be addressing the question “Are solar panels worth it in the UK” in more detail to help you determine whether installing a solar system is the right move for you. However, if you still find yourself having questions about solar panels, you will want to consult a solar expert who can offer you advice tailored to your situation.
Finding a reliable professional to bring your concerns to can be a stressful process. You can spend hours looking up installation companies and reading customer reviews. Thankfully, you don’t have to go through this alone, as we have done the hard work for you.
All that’s left for you to do now is fill in our 30-second form to request quotes from up to 4 local solar panel installers. You can then choose the one you want to work with and by comparing quotes you can also find the best deal on your new solar panel installation. All quotes are free and come with no obligations. Simply click below to get started today!
- Quotes from local installers
- Payment by finance available
- Save up to £915 per year
Are solar panels worth it in 2024?
Yes, it is worth installing solar panels for your home in the UK. This is because solar panels can operate efficiently year-round in the country, generating enough usable electricity for you and your family.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are a long-term capital asset and should be treated like an investment. Simple-minded consumers may hesitate at a high payback time (break even point). You should, however, take the next step and calculate the return on investment. Solar panels will easily last 25 years and your economic considerations should go that long.
How much does it cost to install solar panels?
Currently, solar panels cost somewhere between £2,500 - £10,500. Whether your solar panels will be on the lower or higher end of this price range depends on the system size you require.
- A 3kW solar panel system costs around £4,500 – £6,000
- A 4kW solar panel system costs around £5,000 – £7,000
- A 6kW solar panel system costs around £9,000 – £11,000
What you will also need to take into account when calculating your total solar panel expenses are the labour costs your installers will charge. These will usually come in around £200 per kW fitted and will depend on the size and complexity of your installation. The longer it takes to install your solar panels, the higher the installation costs you will pay.
Finally, your total expenses will also be higher if you choose to pair your solar panels with a solar battery. This additional storage system is a great way to ensure that you can use the electricity generated by your solar panels at a later time. Solar battery prices range from £2,500 - £10,000, depending on the storage capacity you require.
As you can see, the costs of a new solar panel system in the UK are quite high. Fortunately, there are ways to potentially lessen the blow on your bank account when deciding to invest in solar technology. To start, check whether you are eligible for any of the solar panel grants available in the UK today.
Do solar panels save money in the UK?
If you are wondering: “Do solar panels save money?” then you will be glad to know that they do. While the initial cost of installing solar panels can be quite high, over time, you will notice an increase in your yearly savings.
Exactly how much you will save depends primarily on the sizes of solar panels you need, as well as on how efficiently they can generate electricity. For an overview of how much you can expect to save with domestic solar panels, you can consult the table below:
| Solar Panel System Size (kW) | Estimated Cost | Estimated Yearly Savings |
|---|---|---|
| 3kW | £4,500 - £5,500 | Up to £440 |
| 4kW | £5,000 - £6,000 | Up to £660 |
| 6kW | £9,500 - £10,500 | Up to £1,005 |
These costs are estimates. Get a local installer QUOTE now!
In time, your savings on your electricity bill will add up and you will notice that they will return the investment you made when installing your solar panel system.
Installing panels can make your life more comfortable, allowing for savings and more energy security. We know because we interviewed our customers, and this is what they had to say:
Since installing solar panels we have a decrease in energy bills and have gained more confidence to use white goods more frequently.
– W. Shelley, new solar panel system
20th January 2024
We surveyed over 5,000 homeowners in 2024 as part of our annual survey. 95% of the respondents were satisfied with their new installations.
What is the return on investment (ROI) for solar panels?
After a few years, you will break even on your investment in your solar panel system. The exact duration of your return on investment (ROI) period varies per system size.
For instance, for a 3kW solar panel system, the ROI period is about 9 years. Keeping in mind that solar panels have a lifespan of around 25 years, you will be able to enjoy free green electricity for another decade after breaking even on your investment.
A 4kW solar system, on the other hand, has a payback period of about 8 years. A 6kW solar panel system will have the shortest ROI period, as you will break even after 10 years.
If these figures have convinced you or if you have more questions about the financial benefits of solar panels, you will want to contact a solar panel installer. They can advise you on which solar panel system would be the best for your home and provide a high-quality installation that you can enjoy for years to come.
Finding a reliable installer is easier said than done. After hours of painstaking research to find a professional you can trust in your area, you might still come up empty handed. Thankfully, with our help, you can avoid the needless hassle.
By filling in our 30-second form, you can request quotes from up to 4 solar panel installers from our broad network of reputable specialists. You can then compare the information you receive to choose the installer you want to work with and to find the best deal on installation costs for your new solar panels. Just click below and request free, no-obligation quotes now!
- Quotes from local installers
- Payment by finance available
- Save up to £915 per year
Pros and cons of solar panels
Before deciding to install solar panels, you will need to carefully weigh their advantages and disadvantages to make sure that they are the right fit for your home.
Advantages of solar panels
- They lower your electricity bills: Solar panels can produce free electricity for your home all year. As a result, you will spend less on your total energy expenses.
- They reduce your carbon footprint: Solar panels are a sustainable energy source that can allow you to become less dependent on fossil fuels.
- They can help you earn money back: You can sell any excess energy that your solar panels generate back to the grid and receive payments for each kilowatt/hour (kWh) you sell.
- They require low maintenance: Once they have been installed, solar panels require minimal effort on your part. All you need to do is make sure that there isn’t any debris on them and that they haven’t suffered any damage.
- They allow you to become independent from the grid: Homeowners who pair their solar systems with solar batteries will be able to store the electricity their solar panels generate for later use, meaning that they may not need to rely on the grid to power their homes.
Disadvantages of solar panels
- They are significantly more efficient during the daytime: While they do not require direct sunlight to produce electricity, solar panels do operate more efficiently during the daytime. This means that you might need to use electricity from the grid when it gets dark out.
- They have high initial costs: Solar panels are not exactly cheap. For example, the 12kW solar system price varies between £13,000-£15,000. On top of that, you will also need to account for the labour costs your solar panel installers will charge. While there are affordable options, you need to take some things into account before installing cheap solar panels.
- Their placement can impact efficiency: Some roof types or orientations might not be able to accommodate solar panels or diminish their optimal performance. This is particularly a problem for solar roof tiles or integrated solar panels as they are entirely dependent on the structure of the roof.
Should you get solar panels for your UK household?
The answer to this question varies depending on your situation. Generally speaking, there are several advantages to installing solar panels in the UK. The main ones are that they can produce electricity for your home efficiently year-round, allowing you to avoid overspending on your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint.
However, to determine whether solar panels would be a good fit for your home, you should consider the following factors:
The size of your house
This factor is important to take into account, as it can help you determine how much energy you consume. By considering the size of your home, you can also answer the question: “How many solar panels do I need to install?” If you want to power your home for less and lower your carbon footprint, then installing solar panels for your home is worth it.
The number of people in your household
When determining your energy needs, you will also need to take into account the number of people living in your home. The more people are in your household, the more energy you consume. So, to avoid overspending on your electricity bills, solar panels are worth getting if your household consists of multiple people.
The angle and orientation of your roof
Before purchasing your solar panels, you will want to make sure that your roof’s structure can accommodate the installation. In addition, you will want to make sure that the orientation of your roof allows your solar panels to function optimally. Ideally, your solar panels will be installed on a south facing part of the roof and have an orientation of 30-40 degrees, as this is the best direction for solar panels in the UK. If your roof checks these boxes, then you are set to install your new solar system.
The potential of selling your home
If you are considering ever selling your house, then investing in solar panels could be a good idea. This technology can increase property value and make it more attractive to potential buyers concerned about their impact on the environment and looking to save on their electricity bills.
Is it worth getting a solar battery with the solar panel installation?
Pairing your solar panels with a solar battery is a great way to ensure that you can use the electricity generated by your system for later use. This is especially handy for moments when your solar panels don’t produce energy, such as when it’s dark out.
Solar batteries also come with financial benefits. Having a way to store electricity for later means that you can be independent from the grid at all times, which will have an impact on your energy savings. If you need help finding the best solar battery storage option for your home, be sure to consult a professional who can offer advice tailored to your needs.
However, you should bear in mind that solar batteries are quite expensive, so you should consider the solar battery cost before investing in one. Solar battery prices can range anywhere from £2,500 - £10,000, and your total expenses will depend on factors such as the storage capacity size you choose.
If you already have solar panels, your options for batteries may be more limited depending on which panels you have. Solar panel manufacturers sometimes make systems and batteries that are only compatible with each other.
Other attachments can also be added to solar panels. If you’d like to make use of solar power as part of your central heating system, then you can install solar water heating system for domestic hot water.
Find solar panel installers near you
If you feel like you have found your answer to the question: “Is it worth getting solar panels?” then the next thing you will want to do is work with a qualified solar expert who can install your new system.
No idea where to find a reliable solar panel installer? We’re here to help. Looking for installers on your own can take hours or even days of your precious time. Thankfully, we can quickly put you in touch with reputable solar experts from our broad network of specialists.
All you need to do is click below and fill in our 30-second form to request free no-obligation quotes from up to 4 solar panel installers near you. Once you receive the information you’re looking for, you can compare figures and installers to choose the one you trust to provide you with high-quality installation services. Get started today and find the best deal for your home!
- Quotes from local installers
- Payment by finance available
- Save up to £915 per year
Frequently asked questions