Solar Panel Frequently Asked Questions

A typical 4kW system costs around £5,500 to £8,000 fully installed, including the 0% VAT that applies to residential solar until 31 March 2027. Adding a battery usually takes the total to £10,000–£14,000. See our cost page for a full breakdown.

A well-priced 4kW solar-only system typically pays back in around nine to twelve years, then continues generating for the rest of its 25-year-plus life. A battery lengthens payback slightly but increases how much of your own power you use.

A solar-only system often saves around £500 to £750 a year; with a battery and a good tariff, combined savings of £750 to £950 are reported in 2026 conditions. Your figure depends on usage, roof and tariff.

No. It closed to new applicants in March 2019. New systems are paid through the Smart Export Guarantee, under which suppliers pay you for the electricity you export.

Rates change frequently and the best deals often require you to take your import supply from the same company or to have a battery. The strongest agile tariffs have at times paid over 30 pence per unit at peak. Always check the current rate before signing up.

Yes. You can keep your existing import tariff and still choose a different, better-paying SEG export tariff.

No. South is ideal, but east and west-facing roofs produce only around 15% less and are well worth it. Shading matters more than direction. See does my roof need to face south.

Yes. Panels respond to daylight, not direct sunshine or heat, so they generate year-round, with lower output in winter and on overcast days.

A competent, MCS-certified installation should not damage a sound roof. Mountings are designed to be weatherproof. See will solar panels damage my roof.

For most homes, roof-mounted panels are permitted development and need no planning permission, though listed buildings and conservation areas have extra rules. See planning permission.

No, but a battery lets you use far more of your own generation in the evening rather than exporting it cheaply. It is most worthwhile with high evening usage or a time-of-use tariff. See battery storage.

Very little. UK rain keeps them reasonably clean, and the main planned cost is an inverter replacement around year twelve. An occasional professional clean can help.

For safety, most grid-tied systems shut down in a power cut unless you have specific backup equipment. See what happens in a power cut.

A typical domestic system is fitted in one to three days, depending on roof complexity and whether a battery is included. Scaffolding may go up a day or two beforehand.

Solar can make a property more attractive to energy-conscious buyers and may modestly improve its value and EPC rating. The effect varies, but a transferable, well-documented system with low running costs is a genuine selling point.

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme accredits installers and products to a recognised standard. An MCS-certified installation is required to claim Smart Export Guarantee payments, so it is essential, not optional.

In practice panels are almost always left in place and sold with the property, as removal is costly and risks roof damage. They are treated as a fixture that benefits the new owner.

A kilowatt-hour is the standard unit of electricity — using a 1,000-watt appliance for one hour. Your bills, your generation and your exports are all measured in kWh. See what is a kWh.

Panels are typically warranted for around 25 years and often keep generating well beyond that, with only a gradual decline in output. The inverter usually needs replacing once, around year twelve.

Panels themselves are silent. The inverter may produce a faint hum, and some batteries have cooling fans, but these are generally inaudible in normal living spaces.

For ordinary domestic generators, SEG payments are generally not taxed, but rules can change and circumstances differ. Check the current HMRC position or speak to an accountant if you generate at scale. See tax on solar income.

Yes. They generate low-carbon electricity for decades and typically offset the energy used to make them within a few years, reducing your home's carbon footprint over their lifetime.

A reputable installer provides a workmanship warranty alongside the manufacturer's product and performance warranties. Keep all paperwork, and report faults promptly to preserve cover.

Yes. Commercial roofs and rental properties can install solar, though the financial and tax treatment differs from owner-occupied homes. We are happy to point you in the right direction.