What are solar panels?
Solar panels, or photovoltaics (PVs), harness sunlight to produce electricity for your home.
Generating electricity this way is an effective way of cutting your energy bill and your carbon footprint as the energy produced is 100% renewable.
This technology saves you money in two ways: it protects you from price fluctuations and makes other low carbon solutions work better, boosting your overall savings.
Get top quality panels and installation from our installer, Contact Solar - a Which? Trusted Trader.
Solar installers you can trust
Solar panel and battery specialists, Contact Solar, are not only a Which? Trusted Trader, but also now part of the EDF family!
Choosing a Which? Trusted Trader to install your solar system means you'll get excellent customer care, top quality materials, specialist installers and importantly, reliability.
Start your solar journey with us and get the quality and care your home deserves.
How much do solar panels cost?
How much you spend on solar panels depends on factors such as the number of panels, component quality, installation complexity, and labour costs. Take a closer look below to compare costs for systems with 4 to 16 panels.
How much do solar panels cost?
Solar panel costs can vary. To help, we've compiled cost and savings estimates for homes with 4 to 16 solar panels. Start your solar journey with us today, no deposit needed!
| System size | Number of solar panels(1) | Inverter | Cost of solar panels with inverter | Cost of panels, inverter and 1x 5.32 kW battery | Projected Year 1 bill savings(2) | Projected carbon savings(2) |
| 2kW | 4-5 | 3.6kW | £5,645 | £7,395 | £733 | 500kg |
| 3kW | 6-7 | 3.6kW | £5,845 | £7,595 | £932 | 700kg |
| 4kW | 8-9 | 3.6kW | £6,245 | £7,995 | £1,083 | 853kg |
| 5kW | 10-11 | 5kW | £6,845 | £8,595 | £1,484 | 1.3 tonnes |
| 6kW | 12-13 | 7kW | £7,845 | £9,595 | £1,684 | 1.5 tonnes |
| 7kW | 15-16 | 7kW | £8,345 | £10,095 | £1,825 | 1. 6 tonnes |
What factors impact the cost of solar panels
Various factors will impact the cost of solar panels, these include:
- The size of the solar system needed for your home; larger systems require more panels, larger inverters and potentially an agreement from your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO)
- Access requirements, the need for scaffolding, and whether the system is roof or ground-mounted can significantly affect costs
- The type of solar panel chosen impacts both costs and efficiency
- The distance between the solar panels, the inverter and the consumer unit could be another cost factor to account for.
Adding a battery to your solar panel system will also increase overall costs but it provides the benefit of storing excess energy for another time.
Do solar panels increase home value?
Adding solar panels to your property can boost its value and attract potential buyers seeking long-term savings. Industry experts say solar panels can increase a home's overall value by 2%. Additionally, in a survey of over 2,000 adults, 69% said they would buy a house with solar panels on them.
It's important to note that the installation cost of solar panels typically falls between £5,800 and £10,000. If you decide to sell your home immediately after installation, you might not fully recoup your investment, as the installation cost often exceeds the increased value of your house.
How efficient are solar panels?
The efficiency of solar panels can depend upon several things such as the placement of the panels on your roof, weather conditions, shading and the technology used in the panels. According to GreenMatch, residential solar panels have an efficiency rate of around 15-23%.
It's also worth noting that solar panels work even when the sun's not shining! If you choose to install solar panels, you can create renewable energy even on cloudy days.
How much does solar panel maintenance and service cost?
Solar panels are designed to be low maintenance allowing you to enjoy cost savings post-initial installation expenses. An annual service can cost on average around £100.
Generally, rainwater will clean solar panels on a sloped roof whereas panels on a flat roof may be trickier to clean. If your panels are showing signs of dirt, it may be worth arranging for the panels to be cleaned by a local company. Other things to keep an eye on include any trees nearby, to ensure they don't shade the panels as this will affect their performance.
In addition to maintaining clean panels, it's essential to replace the inverter periodically. On average, inverters have a lifespan of around 10 years, with replacement costs typically ranging between £500 and £1,000.
Join our Empower Tracker Exclusive V2 Tariff
Unlock the potential to have £0 electrcity bills!(3) Purchase any combination of solar or battery with us, and join our brand new Empower Exclusive Tracker V2 import tariff.
Enjoy:
- The potential to have £0 electricity bills for 12 months(3) - zilch, nada, nothing!
- No standing charge for a year
- Save on battery charging - get 10p per kWh overnight discount to efficiently power your battery
- No exit fees
- A tariff backed by zero carbon electricity!
View Empower Exclusive's eligibility criteria
Find out more about solar and battery storage in our blog
How do solar panels work?
Ever wondered how solar panels work? Check out our handy guide where we deep dive into all things solar.
Pre-order your Tesla Powerwall 3
We'll soon be installing the new Tesla Powerwall 3 solar battery. Find out why we're so excited!