How Solar Panels Work
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels convert daylight into electricity. You use that electricity in your home first, store any surplus in a battery, and export the rest to the grid for a payment under the Smart Export Guarantee. Modern panels — we install the high-efficiency Aiko Gen 4 ABC range — generate usable power even on overcast days, and a south- or south-east/west-facing roof is ideal.
Daytime generation powers your home first, then charges a battery for the evening; only the surplus is exported for Smart Export Guarantee income.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?
Realistic fully-installed 2026 prices for high-efficiency panels on a Midlands roof:
| System size | Panels (~450W each) | Typical cost | Annual generation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 kWp | ~8 | £5,500–£7,000 | ~3,000–3,300 kWh |
| 4.5 kWp | ~10–11 | £7,000–£8,500 | ~3,800–4,300 kWh |
| 6 kWp | ~14 | £8,500–£10,500 | ~5,000–5,600 kWh |
All attract 0% VAT until 31 March 2027. Payback is typically 7–10 years, with the panels generating for 25+ years.
How Many Solar Panels Do I Need?
The right number depends on your electricity usage and roof space. As a guide: a family of 3–4 using ~2,900 kWh a year typically suits a 4.5 kWp array (~10–12 panels). If you run a heat pump or charge an EV, size up — self-used solar is worth far more than exported units.
Battery Storage: Cost, Size and Payback
A home battery stores surplus solar for the evening and charges from the grid at cheap off-peak rates. 2026 prices:
| Battery size | Typical cost | Annual saving | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kWh | £3,500–£4,500 | £250–£400 | ~10–14 yrs |
| 10 kWh | £5,000–£6,500 | £500–£700 | ~8–12 yrs |
| 15 kWh+ | £7,500–£10,000 | £700–£1,000 | ~8–11 yrs |
Batteries also attract 0% VAT until 2027. The economics are strongest when paired with solar and a heat pump.
→ Home battery storage cost guide → Solar and battery payback: worked scenarios → Solar battery storage guide
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Solar Grants and the Smart Export Guarantee
There is no single solar grant in 2026, but a stack of incentives: 0% VAT on solar and batteries until March 2027, the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) paying 3–15p/kWh for exported electricity, and income-based schemes (ECO4, Warm Homes) for eligible households. Solar can be combined with the BUS heat pump grant — many customers do both.
→ Solar panel grants in the UK 2026 → Smart Export Guarantee explained: SEG rates compared
Solar + Heat Pump: The Whole-Home Approach
Pairing solar with a heat pump means free daytime electricity powers your heating, cutting running costs dramatically. A battery stores the surplus for the evening peak. Together, solar, battery and heat pump form a single energy system that compounds savings — each asset makes the others more valuable.
→ Solar panels with a heat pump → Whole-home energy retrofit guide
Maintenance and Lifespan
Solar panels need very little maintenance — an occasional clean if they are heavily shaded or dirty, and a visual check. Panels are warranted for 25+ years; inverters typically 10–15 years. Batteries carry 10–15 year warranties on quality units like the Sigenergy and EcoFlow systems we install.
Get Your Free Solar Estimate
Start with a free, no-obligation online estimate. When you are ready, we carry out a full roof survey and design the array to your usage, roof and budget — with the 0% VAT already applied.
Free online estimate
Answer a few questions about your home and electricity use.
Roof survey and design
We assess your roof, shading and orientation.
Fixed-price quote
Precise price with 0% VAT, SEG registration and MCS certificate included.
Frequently asked questions
A typical 4.5 kWp system (10–11 panels) costs around £7,000–£8,500 fully installed, with 0% VAT. Prices vary by system size and roof complexity. Payback is typically 7–10 years, with generation lasting 25+ years.
For most homes with solar, yes — a 10 kWh battery lifts self-consumption from around 40% to 80%, saving roughly £500–£700 a year and paying back in 8–12 years. It is strongest when paired with a heat pump and/or an EV.
In 2026 typical SEG rates range from 3p to 15p per kWh, with most fixed offers in the 5–12p band. Some of the best rates are tied to taking your import tariff from the same supplier, so compare both together.
Yes. There is no restriction on combining solar with the £7,500–£9,000 Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grant. Many customers install both at the same time for a single-visit, whole-home upgrade.
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