After hydropower and wind-based energy, solar power is the third-largest renewable energy source in the world. Solar power has become increasingly popular with businesses of all kinds and sorts, as well as individual consumers, especially in this day and age when energy costs are skyrocketing, and environmental concerns are front of mind.
Most people’s first thought when considering solar energy for their house or place of business is how much solar panels would cost to buy, install, and maintain. Are they worth that price, too? Everything you need to know about solar panels in the UK is included in this guide, including their efficiency, installation costs, maintenance requirements, and what you can typically anticipate when deciding.
Solar energy is an inexpensive and clean source of energy. The rates of electricity are increasing vigorously. The grid energy is taken from sources causing high pollution and global warming. Those sources mostly use fossil fuels which are non-renewable resources. On the other hand, solar energy is produced from sunlight, a renewable energy source. It is a clean and cheap source of energy. The solar systems do not require wear or tear due to no moving parts.
How Much Are Solar Panels in the UK?
It might come as a surprise given that Britain and the UK aren’t exactly known for their warm, sunny climates, but solar energy is quickly gaining popularity across the area. Most UK households and business owners want to know how much it will cost to install, maintain, and operate solar panels and how much money solar will save them in the long term. The cost of installing solar panels is covered below, including labor, batteries, and complete installation.
| Cost of Solar Panels per kW System in the UK | ||||
| Estimated Costs | Number of Panels | Roof Space | Annual Savings on Electricity Bill | Savings after 25 Years (plus from SEG) |
| £5,000 – £6,000 | 12 | 22 m² | £850 | £21,250 |
| £6,000 – £8,000 | 16 | 29 m² | £980 | £27,150 |
| £8,000 – £9,000 | 20 | 32 m² | £1,460 | £39,550 |
| £9,000 – £11,000 | 24 | 43 m² | £1,460+ | £40,325 |
How Much Are Solar Panels to Buy?
The price of solar panels depends on the panel’s power, size, use case, panel type, and other factors. A smaller 10-watt solar panel, for reference, costs around £57.
On the other hand, substantial 320-watt monocrystalline solar panels may be found for upwards of £2,600. It’s always advisable to factor installation expenses into your budget; In contrast, DIY solar installation is technically feasible; it’s usually preferable to leave it in the hands of an established, reputable installation business.
Solar Panel Installation Cost:
The solar system’s size, quantity, and roof area determine the final cost of solar panels in the UK. Consequently, the cost of installation increases with the size of the roof, the size of the system, and the amount of power produced. For solar panels that can provide the appropriate quantity of energy, the typical UK family should expect to pay around £6,000. It should be noted that various factors, all of which we go over in more detail a few lines below, impact the installation prices.
What Are the Labour Costs?
In the UK, solar panel installers often bill for labor in one of two ways: by the worker for each installation day or by charging a predetermined price per watt. For example, your solar panel vendor may bill you £500 per day for labor, or they might bill you at the industry standard rate per kW, like 20 pence for every watt of the whole installation. Bear in mind that UK-based solar panel installation rates may include labor charges.
Cost of Solar Panels – The Latest Data Per kW
- 0-4 total kW (i.e., small-scale installations) cost an average of £1,628 per kW.
- 4-10 kW installations cost an average of £1,685 per kW.
- 10-50 kW installations cost an average of £1,088 per kW.
- Across most circumstances, you will spend less per kW the more significant the installation is.
How Much Are Solar Panel Batteries
How much the battery, battery storage system, and related components will cost is another crucial factor when buying a solar panel system. The average solar battery costs between £4,000 and £5,000, but solar electricity’s long-term financial and environmental advantages more than make up these initial expenditures.
Because they are often purchased separately, solar batteries are frequently excluded from the cost of installing solar panels. The price of your installation may rise depending on the kind of battery and battery storage solution you buy. Your solar battery and panel system installation cost may be affected by the elements listed below:
- Brand, type, and quantity of battery
- Whether it’s nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) or lithium iron phosphate (LFP)-based
- How much electrical work will be required during the installation
- Whether or not the battery includes an inverter
Installing a battery has several benefits, including living off-grid effectively or relying less on the national power system than you would otherwise. This is because you can store the energy produced by solar panels. Although not required, we usually advise getting a battery for your solar panel system if it fits your budget and desired capabilities.
How Much Does A 10kw Solar System Cost in the UK?
The cost to install a 10kW solar system is determined by several factors. Are you looking to put up an on-grid, off-grid, or hybrid solar system? The following cost breakdown may be beneficial if you are considering installing off-grid solar panels for your home and are wondering how much solar panels cost for a house.
We will merely list the essential components needed and provide an estimate of the cost as our sole goal is to provide you with a general overview of the cost for an off-grid 10kW solar system:
- Solar arrays: 50x 200 Watt Monocrystalline solar panels, about £8000.
- Mounts and wires: 25x Wiring and Mounting kits for four solar panels setup £1250.
- Labor costs: Depends on your roof faces, obstructions, the height of your roof, and more. About £10,000.
- Battery storage system: Best over 30kWh. 13x 12V 200Ah LiFePO4 batteries, around £11,700.
- Solar inverter: About £3000.
- Charge controller: 2x Rover LI 100Amp MPPT Solar charge controller, about £1300.
Are Solar Panels Worth It in the UK?
Net metering, decreased utility costs, subsidies, government-sponsored programs promoting the move to solar, and numerous tax advantages are just a few ways solar panels may help you save money. The standard “payback period” for solar panels is between 12 and 18 years. At this time, the savings generated by the solar panels will comprehensively cover the installation, maintenance, and hardware expenses.
You may save between £100 and £500 simply on energy bills with a typical 250kW system placed on a building with average energy usage. The cost reductions will increase long into the future when you consider the growing expenses of electricity and utilities.
How Effective Are Solar Panels in The UK?
Net metering, decreased utility costs, subsidies, government-sponsored programs promoting the move to solar, and numerous tax advantages are just a few ways solar panels may help you save money. The standard “payback period” for solar panels is between 12 and 18 years. At this time, the savings generated by the solar panels will comprehensively cover the installation, maintenance, and hardware expenses.
You may save between £100 and £500 simply on energy bills with a typical 250kW system placed on a building with average energy usage. The cost reductions will increase long into the future when you consider the growing expenses of electricity and utilities.
UK Solar Power is Looking Bright
Most people are attracted to solar power since it has been shown to have lower energy prices and can lessen the environmental effect. Solar energy has shown to be one of the finest alternative power sources for lowering energy prices, reducing carbon footprints, and producing cleaner energy over the long run, even if it may require a sizable initial financial commitment for some.
There has never been a better moment to start producing power from the sun. In the past, solar panels were notorious for their expensive installation and maintenance expenses. However, this is no longer the case thanks to technological breakthroughs in the industry. Solar-powered homes and businesses have a promising future since costs have dropped and demand has increased.
Conclusion:
Solar panel cost depends upon different factors, so that the overhead costs may vary. Hence, be careful in calculating the cost and do not miss any factor. The weather in the UK doesn’t seem feasible for solar energy, but the good news is solar panels perform very efficiently. That is why many UK residents are moving to solar panels.
