How much do solar panels cost?
Energy Saving Trust puts a typical 4.5 kWp home system at around £7,600. Your price depends on your roof, the system size, the equipment, scaffolding and whether you add a battery. After a survey we send a written quote.
How long do solar panels take to pay for themselves?
Energy Saving Trust's July 2026 figures show payback of 9 to 11 years in the locations it lists, including export payments. Your own figure depends on how much power you use in the day, your tariff and the system size. We go through the savings and payback with you before you commit.
Do I need a battery?
Not always. A battery stores spare daytime power for the evening and helps if you use most of your electricity after dark. Energy Saving Trust says batteries cost around £5,000 to £8,000. Many can be added to an existing system, and we check compatibility first.
What is the Smart Export Guarantee?
It pays you for surplus solar power you send to the grid. Licensed suppliers set their own rates and terms, and rates must be above zero. Energy Saving Trust quotes around 12p per unit. Compare suppliers before you choose.
Is there VAT on solar panels and batteries?
Installing solar panels in a home is zero-rated for VAT in Great Britain from 1 May 2023 to 31 March 2027, and home batteries qualify too. From 1 April 2027 the rate reverts to 5%, according to HMRC guidance.
Do I need planning permission?
Most houses can have solar panels under permitted development, so planning permission is not usually needed. Listed buildings, conservation areas and national parks are exceptions. Your system also has to be registered with your network operator, and we confirm what is needed for your property.
How long does installation take?
Customer reviews describe installs finished in one to two days, with the scaffolding taken down two days later. The wait before installation varies with demand. One customer was installed five weeks after the survey.
Will solar panels work on my roof?
South-facing is ideal. East or west roofs still work, with roughly 15 to 20% less energy. North-facing roofs are not recommended. Shade from trees, chimneys and buildings reduces output. We check all of this at the survey.
Do solar panels work when it is cloudy or raining?
Yes, at reduced output. Panels keep generating on cloudy and rainy days, just less than in bright sun.
What happens in a power cut?
Standard grid-connected solar switches off in a power cut for safety. Some battery systems can power selected circuits during an outage. Tell us if backup matters to you.
Are you TrustMark registered?
Yes. As a TrustMark registered business we commit to clear written quotes and fair terms before work starts, honest communication on scope, timelines and pricing, work to recognised standards by competent people, and a documented complaints process.
Can you repair or upgrade a system someone else installed?
Yes. We repair and upgrade solar PV systems whoever installed them, including broken panels, faulty wiring and replacing older panels with more efficient ones.
How long do solar panels last?
Panel performance warranties commonly run 25 to 30 years. Ask us for the warranty terms for each part of your system when you get your quote.
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Find out what solar could save you
Tell us about your home or business and we will send a rough quote the same day.