Russell Andrews
Solar panel costs depend mainly on system size, your roof, and whether you add battery storage. Qualifying residential installation work can be zero-rated under the current rules. Buying panels separately is not automatically zero-rated.
By Russell Andrews
What a typical UK solar installation costs in 2026
Energy Saving Trust currently gives around £7,600 as a general benchmark for a domestic solar system of about 4.5 kWp. It is a guide, not a quote: roof access, equipment, mounting and the work required can change the installed price. Ask for an itemised cost for your property and confirm whether battery storage is included. Source: Energy Saving Trust (benchmark checked 27 October 2026).
What's included in that price
The panels themselves and the inverter that converts their output to usable AC electricity.
Mounting hardware, cabling and the electrical connection into your consumer unit.
Scaffolding or access equipment, and labour for the installation itself.
MCS certification paperwork, needed for Smart Export Guarantee eligibility later.
What shapes your quote: the condition of the roof, access for scaffolding, the age of your consumer unit and the number of roof faces in the design. Your itemised quote shows which of these apply to your property, so you can see exactly what you are getting.
Battery storage adds a separate cost
Battery storage is quoted separately unless your package expressly includes it. The cost depends on the battery model and usable capacity, inverter compatibility, installation work and any backup equipment. Compare complete installed quotes rather than a battery-only price.
Battery adoption has grown quickly - UK households completed around 36,000 new battery installations in just the first half of 2026. That shows how mainstream a battery has become. A battery can be installed alongside new panels or added to a compatible existing solar system. An assessment should establish which equipment is needed in either case. Our battery storage page walks through how your evening usage shapes the right size for your home.
Paying for it: VAT, deposits and finance
The 0% VAT rate on qualifying solar and battery work is set to end on 31 March 2027, with 5% due from April. If you are planning around that date, read how deposits and install dates work in our solar VAT deadline guide. You can pay in full or spread the cost with flexible solar finance, which is subject to status. REST is a HIES member. For an eligible installation, ask us to confirm its registration and provide the protection documents so you can see exactly what is covered.
Smart Export Guarantee: paid for the power you export
To receive SEG payments, apply to a participating supplier and meet its eligibility, certification and export-metering requirements. Rates and conditions differ, so compare current offers for your equipment and tariff. MCS certification alone does not automatically start payments. Some suppliers pay more if you also have a battery on a specific tariff.
For illustration, exporting 1,500 kWh at 15p per kWh would earn £225. This is an example calculation, not an estimate of what a typical household will export or receive. Shop around for your SEG tariff separately from your installation; you aren't obliged to use your installer's own supplier relationship. See our Smart Export Guarantee guide for how to compare tariffs properly.
Running costs after the install
Solar panels have no fuel cost and need little routine care. Inverters and batteries have their own warranty terms, which your quote sets out, and REST offers an annual health check through its maintenance and aftercare service.
What you get back from solar
Once your system is switched on, it works for you every daylight hour. Each unit of electricity you generate and use is a unit you do not buy, and eligible metered exports can earn payments under your agreed export tariff. Panels are typically warrantied for 25 years. Eligible Eurener NEXA double-glass bifacial panels supplied through our Premium Partner programme have a 30-year product warranty and a separate 30-year performance warranty, subject to the manufacturer's terms. Your quote identifies the exact model and cover that apply. The benefit can build year after year.
Recent REST installs in Leicestershire, for example, had estimated first-year benefits of £1,348 to £1,552 on systems with batteries. These forecasts combine solar electricity savings, export income and savings from charging the battery on a cheaper overnight grid tariff. They describe the complete system, rather than the battery's contribution alone. These are selected examples and estimates, not typical results or a guarantee. Your own figure comes from your appointment, where we model your roof, usage and tariff and show you the assumptions behind every number.
Getting a realistic quote for your home
Every property is different - roof orientation, shading, your existing consumer unit and your actual daytime electricity use all affect what system size and cost genuinely make sense for you. The figures above are a starting point for the conversation, not a substitute for a property-specific proposal. Our residential solar team can walk through your roof, your usage and realistic numbers before you commit to anything. Request a free quote to get a proposal specific to your home.