What Solar Panels Actually Cost
A solar cost needs both a statistic and a unit. This page leads with the published median, labels the mean separately, and keeps every figure in pounds per kW rather than turning it into a whole-system quote.
Latest DESNZ financial year · 2025/26
Cost per kW for the 0-4 kW band
Median
£1,780 per kW
The middle published installation: half cost less per kW and half cost more.
Mean
£2,008 per kW
Every published installation contributes, including unusually costly work.
0-4 kW
Median £1,780/kW
Mean £2,008/kW
4-10 kW
Median £1,697/kW
Mean £1,770/kW
10-50 kW
Median £1,262/kW
Mean £1,344/kW
Annual mean and median cost history
The two statistics remain separate because the mean is pulled towards higher-cost installations. Neither line is an installation quote.
View exact annual figures
| Financial year | Published median | Published mean |
|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | £1,780/kW | £2,008/kW |
| 2024/25 | £1,884/kW | £2,110/kW |
| 2023/24 | £2,263/kW | £2,392/kW |
| 2022/23 | £2,250/kW | £2,372/kW |
| 2021/22 | £1,732/kW | £1,893/kW |
| 2020/21 | £1,500/kW | £1,699/kW |
| 2019/20 | £1,481/kW | £1,647/kW |
| 2018/19 | £1,667/kW | £1,806/kW |
| 2017/18 | £1,698/kW | £1,825/kW |
| 2016/17 | £1,667/kW | £1,840/kW |
| 2015/16 | £1,665/kW | £1,807/kW |
| 2014/15 | £1,904/kW | £2,028/kW |
| 2013/14 | £1,897/kW | £2,049/kW |
The domestic-only series is separate
The domestic-only series covers 2 financial years and is kept off the longer annual mean-and-median axis.
- 2024/25
- Mean £2,173/kW
- 2025/26
- Mean £2,096/kW
Frequently asked questions
How much do solar panels cost per kW in the UK?
The latest DESNZ median and mean are shown at the top of this page for each published size band. They are pounds per kW of Declared Net Capacity, not a whole-system quote.
Why does the median lead?
The median is the middle published installation and is less affected by a small number of unusually costly projects. The mean remains visible and separately labelled because it answers a different question.
Are historic solar costs adjusted for inflation?
No. DESNZ publishes nominal prices for each financial year. This page applies no deflator and does not compare the cash figures as though their purchasing power were unchanged.
Does the dataset cover every solar installation?
No. It covers MCS-certified installations. DIY and other non-certified work are absent, so the figures are not presented as a census of all solar work.
