The Cost of Home Solar Panels Explained
Are you considering investing in solar panels for your home but unsure about the costs involved?
In this article, we’ll run through the average price of residential solar panels and the various factors that affecct the installation cost.
According to recent data from which.com, the average cost of installing a 4kW solar panel system in the UK is around £6,200. This includes the cost of the solar panels, inverter, and installation.
It’s important to note that the actual cost can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the size of the system, the type of panels, and the complexity of the installation. Additionally, if you’re considering adding a battery storage system to your solar panels, you can expect to pay more – typically between £2000 – £8000 depending on the battery size.
When evaluating the cost of solar panels, it’s also important to consider the potential long-term savings on your energy bills, more expensive systems might generate better savings in the long term. Requesting multiple quotes from reputable installers in your area will give you multiple options with various prices.
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Size Costs
When it comes to the cost of solar PV systems, the total system size is usually the main factor pushing up the cost. A small 2 kW system without a battery will generally be much cheaper than a larger 6 kW system with 10 kW of battery storage. The size of the solar PV system and battery storage installation directly impacts the overall cost.
The cost of a solar PV system is typically calculated per kilowatt (kW) of installed capacity, so a larger system will generally cost more than a smaller system. In addition, the cost of battery storage will also add to the overall price. The more storage capacity you need, the higher the cost will be.
It’s important to consider your specific energy needs and usage patterns when determining the size of your solar PV system and battery storage. While a larger system may come with larger upfront costs, it can also provide greater long-term savings by allowing you to store more of the energy you generate and save more money each year.
Ultimately, the size of your solar PV system and battery storage installation will depend on factors such as your budget, energy usage, and future energy goals. It’s always best to consult with a qualified solar installer to determine the most suitable size for your specific needs.
This is what GreenMatch say about panel size pricing:
| House size | System Size | Number of panels (350W) | Number of panels (450W) | Estimated Costs |
| 1-2 bedroom house | 3kW panel system | 8 | 6 | £7,000 – £8,000 |
| 2-3 bedroom house | 4kW panel system | 10 | 8 | £9,000 – £10,000 |
| 2-3 bedroom house | 5kW panel system | 13 | 10 | £11,000 – £12,000 |
| 4-5 bedroom house | 6kW panel system | 16 | 13 | £12,000 – £13,000 |
Solar System Design Price Considerations
When it comes to the cost of solar panel installation, there are several design considerations that can impact the price. For example, a simple system with eight panels on a standard 3-bedroom house with a normal roof pitch can be more affordable than a larger, more complex system.
Factors such as the number of strings, the orientation of the panels, the number of inverters, the number of batteries, the amount of shading on the roof and subsequent optimisers, planning regulation requirements, in-roof (solar panels replace a portion of roof tiles) systems, your energy consumption, and available roof space can all affect the overall cost of the solar panel installation.
Some installation companies may charge you a design fee to which is something to consider.
Additionally, shading is a crucial factor in the cost of a system. If the area you’re looking to have solar panels installed on is affected by shading from trees or nearby buildings – this will increase the cost of your installation.
Optimisers are installed on the panels to make sure each panel is working efficiently, if panels are shaded they don’t produce electricity as they should.
Solar Panels And Equipment Manufacturers
When it comes to investing in solar panels for your home, it’s important to consider the varying costs and features of different manufacturers and equipment. There are plenty of solar panel manufacturers out there, each offering different panel sizes, wattage ratings, features, and guarantees.
For example, let’s compare a the Longi 405 Watt panel with Risen Energy 550 Watt Panel. The Longi panel is 25.5% cheaper (price excluding VAT) than the Risen 550 W panel, however the 550 W panel generates 35.8% more Watts, making it more efficient.
A good installer will design a bespoke system that best fits your house and your enegry needs balancing the price with the system capabilities.
Additionally, different panels come with differnet guarantees, a 25 year output guarantee (The panel is guaranteed not to degrade below a certain degradation rate) is typical. It’s important to understand excatly what you’re getting for your money, good installers will provide this in an MCS compliant (the solar accreditation scheme) proposal.
In addition to the panels themselves, it’s important to consider the cost of inverters. Inverters are an essential component of a solar panel system, as they convert the DC power generated by the panels into AC power that can be used in your home. The technology and engineering that goes into creating reliable and efficient inverters contribute to their higher price tag.
The Location: Your Region Affects The Solar Install Cost
The location of your home plays a significant role in determining the cost of solar panel installation. Various factors in your region can affect the overall pricing. Here are some key aspects to consider:
The Number Of Nearby Installers Impacts PV Cost
More remote areas may drive the price of your installation up as there are fewer installers locally, meaning the low supply means less competition and more expensive quotes. Additionally travel costs would have to be factored in for installers travelling from a neigbouring region.
Local Labour Costs Affect Solar Install Price
Labour costs are typically higher in some areas e.g the in the South East of England and in London. Reed.com say the average solar electrician salary in London is £48,000 a year compared to £35,000 in Glasgow.
Other Factors To Consider With Solar Pricing…
There are countless things to weigh up when it comes to the price of solar for your home. Most factors will depend on company to company, each installer will have a different way of pricing their installs.
However, the solar size, design and your region are the main influences affecting the price you’ll pay.
Our Renewables Manager Nick Holmes says, “For 98% of homeowners the above factors are the mian things to consider, however if you have plan to have a much larger residential system – in the region of 10 KW or greater you’ll likley need a 3-phase electrical supply if you don’t already
For further reading on solar pricing, we recommend looking at:
Gary Does Solar’s YouTube Channel
