Solar Panel Cost Calculator

Our Solar Panel Calculator helps you estimate the cost of installing solar panels and how much you could save on your energy bills in the UK. It also shows how long it might take for your system to pay for itself.

With just a few details, you'll get a personalised breakdown, including:

• Installation cost – an estimate of how much you'll pay for panels and fitting
• Annual energy production – the amount of electricity your panels could generate each year
• Bill savings – how much of your electricity costs you could cut by using your own solar energy
• Export earnings – how much you could earn by selling excess energy back to the grid under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
• Payback time – how long it will take for your savings and earnings to cover your initial investment

Solar panels can help you lower your bills, reduce your reliance on the grid, and even earn extra income. Use our calculator now to see what solar could do for you!

How does the Solar Panel Calculator work?

To get an accurate estimate, you'll need to enter some details about your home and energy use. If you aren't sure about any answers, then just leave the answer as the default, as this will fit the majority of people.

Here's why each one matters:

• Region of your property – Some parts of the UK get more sunlight than others. If you live in the south, your panels will produce more energy than if you live in the north.
• Household electricity usage – This is how much electricity your home uses each year. If you use a lot, solar panels can help you save more by generating your own power. The Low, Medium and High options are Ofgem’s typical consumption values – 1,600, 2,500 and 3,800 kWh a year since 1 July 2026. Your own figure from a recent bill will always beat a band.
• Electricity price (p/kWh) – The price you pay for electricity affects how much money you can save. If prices go up, having solar panels will save you even more. The default is Ofgem’s GB average Direct Debit price-cap unit rate, which is what the calculator’s own assumptions note beside your answer says – your own tariff rate will always beat an average.
• Number of solar panels – This decides how much electricity your system can generate. Most three-bedroom houses can fit 10–14 panels, depending on roof space. More panels mean more energy.
• Battery storage – A battery stores extra solar energy for later use, so you can use more of your own power instead of buying from the grid. This increases savings but also costs more upfront.
• Roof orientation – The direction your roof faces affects how much sunlight your panels get. South-facing roofs are best in the UK, but east- and west-facing roofs can still work well.
• Roof material – Some roof types make it easier or harder to install solar panels. Most UK homes have tiled roofs, which are simple to fit panels on. If the material makes it harder to install, then this will likely increase your costs.
• Roof angle (degrees) – The angle of your roof affects how well your panels work. In the UK, a 30–40° angle is best for generating energy.

By entering these details, you'll get a personalised estimate of how much solar panels could save you and whether they're a good option for your home.

How much do solar panels cost in the UK?

The calculator model starts with £5,570 for 2 panels and adds £285 for each additional panel. Battery storage adds £2,577–£6,900. Costs vary based on your roof material — flat roofs and fibre cement roofs can add 10–20% to the modelled base price. Synchronous calculator assumptions, not the DESNZ per-kW series or a current installation quote.

How much can solar panels save me?

Savings depend on how much of the solar energy you use directly (self-consumption) rather than exporting. Without a battery, typical self-consumption is around 40%. Adding battery storage can increase this to 60–80%, significantly boosting your savings. Any energy you export to the grid earns whatever your supplier’s Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariff pays. There is no single SEG rate: suppliers set their own and the spread is wide, so the rate you are offered matters as much as the size of your array. The calculator above starts from a deliberately cautious figure — change it to your own supplier’s rate before reading the payback.

Which regions get the most solar energy in the UK?

The South West of England receives the most solar irradiance (around 1,200 kWh/kWp/year), followed by the South East (1,150) and London (1,100). Scotland and the North East receive the least (around 800–850 kWh/kWp/year). South-facing roofs at 30–40° angle are optimal for maximising energy production.