Last Updated on December, 2024
High electricity bills are a burning issue in the UK, and as a solution, over 11,000 households in the UK use solar panels.
Solar panels are not easily accessible because of their high price. But over time, people have realised that owning a solar system is cheaper in the long run, as you would only have to bear the initial expenses.
Solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity, offering significant savings!
This article discusses how to find cost-effective solar panels on the market and other significant aspects of solar panels. Sit tight and keep reading!
Quick Summary
- The price of solar panels in the UK ranges from £5,000 to £13,000, with installation costs depending on the size and type of panel. Monocrystalline panels are the most efficient but expensive, while polycrystalline and thin-film panels offer cheaper alternatives.
- Solar panel costs depend on factors like panel type, efficiency, installation complexity, and additional components (e.g., batteries, inverters). While cheaper panels exist, higher quality options with longer warranties and higher efficiency provide better long-term savings.
- Solar panels help reduce electricity bills and carbon footprints. While they have an upfront cost, the long-term savings, government incentives like the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), and potential to sell excess energy make them a worthwhile investment in the UK, with a typical payback period of 11 to 15 years.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in the UK?
Do solar panels cost that much, as everyone says? Well, let’s find out!
The most common domestic-sized 4kW solar panel system, and solar battery, cost around £9,000 to £10,000. Solar panels with a larger kW size, like 12kW, cost around £17,000. Cheap solar panels typically cost from £7,000 to £12,000.
As of April 2024, purchasing a solar panel system, including installation and supply, costs between £5,000 and £13,000.
It is important to note that the price of solar panels has changed over the years, and they are no longer a high-end product that people cannot afford.
There are various types of solar panels, and you can choose cheaper panels that you can afford.
Solar Panel Cost Determining Factors
Some factors determine the price of solar panels in the UK. Let’s have a look!
Panel Type
There are three main types of solar panels in the UK:
- Monocrystalline solar panels
- Polycrystalline solar panels
- Thin film solar panels
Monocrystalline solar panels are the most effective because they convert more sunlight into electricity. They can also operate well in high temperatures. However, because of their high quality, monocrystalline panels are the most expensive.
We will discuss solar panel types more towards the end of the article.
Efficiency
Solar panel efficiency means the amount of electricity generated by solar panels. Monocrystalline panels produce 10% to 20% energy. The higher the energy efficiency, the higher the cost of the solar panels.
Solar Panel Installation
Solar panel installation is technical. The best solution is to hire a professional solar panel installer certified by the Microgeneration Certification School (MCS).
The initial installation cost depends on factors such as
- The location of your house.
- The size of the solar panel.
- The number of installers you require (larger solar panels require many installers).
Linear Output Warranty
Linear output warranty refers to a solar panel’s minimum lifespan, usually 25 years. No one wants to get their solar PV damaged before the estimated period. Hence, go for a solar array with a good linear output warranty.
Size
Solar panels come in various sizes, depending on your house’s size and your electricity consumption requirements. Premium panels with a bigger size cost more than a small solar PV system.
Additional Components
Having additional components for your solar panel system might increase the equipment cost, but it will likely decrease the installation cost.
Additional components like solar batteries and pigeon-proofing are essential to solar PV systems. Get it all done with a single solar installer to minimize installation costs. Your initial price may be high, but you will not get any other expenses in the future.
How Much Does it Cost to Install Solar Panels?
The cost of installing panels varies depending on several factors, such as the system’s size, the type of the panel, the complexity of the installation, and the installer you select.
We have summarised the cost of installation according to the solar panel size.
- Small (1-2kW) – £1,500- £3,000
- Medium (3-4kW) – £4,000-£6,000
- Large (5kW and above) – £6,000-£8,000
Factors Affecting Installation Costs
- Type of the panel
- Monocrystalline panels are the best in efficiency, however, they are more expensive than polycrystalline panels.
- Complexity of installation
- Installation cost depends on the roof type, angle, and accessibility.
- Inverter quality
- An inverter is an add-on and pricey, but it improves the performance of your solar panel.
- Additional equipment
- Additional components like solar batteries make it costlier but increase the energy storage of the solar system.
What You Should Know Before Buying a Solar Panel?
Choosing, buying, and installing solar panels takes work. Hence, there are things that you should consider before purchasing a solar panel system.
- Quality versus affordability
- There are cheap solar panels available at affordable prices. However, we advise you to refrain from settling for the cheapest solar panels in the market, as most are of low quality. Buying cheap solar panels will get you in trouble, as you will have to repair solar cells from time to time, costing you more money in the long run.
- The best option is to choose solar panels with a high-efficiency rating and long lifespan.
- Manufacturer
- Choose solar companies that offer good customer support.
- Reasonable warranty period and local support
- Solar panel efficiency
- The best solar panel efficiency should be between 23% and 35%.
- Durability
- Temperature coefficient
- This means that heat impacts the solar panel’s operational efficiency. It is measured by percentage, and you can find how much energy output is lost when the solar panel’s temperature goes above 25°C.
- The best solar panels have 0.32% per degree above 25°C.
- A low percentage per degree is perfect, as solar panel overheating accelerates ageing.
- Cost and budget
- Consider the total cost of the system, including installation cost, maintenance, and additional equipment like batteries and inverters.
- Do some research on solar panel savings, financing options, grants, and incentives offered by the UK government, such as the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
- Power Output
- This refers to the energy your solar panel generates, measured in watts. The best solar systems generate between 250 and 360 watts.
- Number of panels
- Solar panels are usually 1kW, and 4kW, and have around 2-16 panels. You can calculate the number of panels you need using,
- Average daily electricity usage.
- Solar panel power output.
- Daylight hours.
- Solar panels are usually 1kW, and 4kW, and have around 2-16 panels. You can calculate the number of panels you need using,
How Much Will I Save With Solar Panels?
The amount you can save from owning a solar panel depends on several factors, such as your energy consumption, the size and efficiency of the solar panels, the cost of electricity, and the amount of sunlight you receive in your location.
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com, says: “Remember it could take a few years for the savings to offset the initial cost, but solar panels will help you reduce your energy bills in the long term.”
“While they may not completely insulate you from price rises this winter, they will help future-proof your home and make you less reliant on the cost of energy. So if you can afford the upfront payment, solar panels are worth considering.”
However, installing a solar panel in the UK has some benefits. At the same time, the UK government has offered grants and financial incentives so people can minimize the initial cost of solar panel purchase and installation.
Feed-in Tariff (FIT)
Feed-in tariff (FIT) is one of the government schemes implemented to promote the use of renewable energy. Although FIT has been closed for new members since March 2019, existing members still benefit from the payments for the electricity they generate.
Payback Period
Installing solar panels at once is a huge investment. However, with the reduced electricity bills, you can recover the initial investment over time.
For instance, assume that you save around £555 per year on energy bills and your solar panel system costs £5,000 to install. Here, the payback period is nine years. After this period, your savings would be net positive, considering the average lifespan of a solar panel.
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
This is another scheme introduced by the UK government. If your solar panels generate more electricity than you need for daily activities, you can export the excess to the grid. Under SEG, energy suppliers pay you for the electricity exported.
The rates differ from supplier to supplier. However, the average rate is 4-6p/kWh.
To be a part of this scheme,
- The size of your solar system must be less than 5MW.
- The system must be MCS-certified to ensure installation meets the desired industry standards.
How Long Do Solar Panels Take to Pay for Themselves?
The usual break-even time for solar panels is 11 to 15 years, and it depends on various factors, such as:
- The size of your solar panel system.
- Installation costs.
- Export tariff.
- Energy consumption.
- Electricity costs.
The following table shows the break-even points according to the size of the solar system.
| System Size | System Cost | Annual Savings | Break-Even Point |
| 3 kW | £7,000 – £8,000 | £440 | 17 years |
| 4kW | £9,000 – £10,000 | £660 | 14 years |
| 6kW | £12,000 – £13,000 | £1,005 | 12 years |
Benefits of Solar Panels
There are many benefits to solar panels, so let’s take a peek at them.
- Reduced energy bills.
- You only have to bear the initial investment, and then you can generate electricity for free using direct sunlight!
- Reduce carbon footprint.
- Since solar electricity is low carbon and renewable energy, it reduces the carbon footprint at your house.
- Solar battery storage system.
- This system can store excess energy for later use when sunlight is too low, there are power outages, or during night time.
- Long lifespan.
- Energy-independent.
- No hidden or running costs.
- Low maintenance.
- Increases property value.
Different Solar Panel Systems
There are three main types of solar panels in the UK. They are:
- Monocrystalline panels
- Polycrystalline solar panels
- Thin film solar panels
Monocrystalline Solar Panel
This is the oldest type of solar panel, made of single-crystal silicon solar cells. Because of its pure silicone material, it is one of the most expensive panels in the UK.
This is, however, the most efficient solar panel; it has 20% or more efficiency.
At the same time, these mono solar panels have a higher power output and perform well even at hotter temperatures.
Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Polycrystalline panels are less efficient than monocrystalline solar arrays, yet they are way more affordable.
The efficiency rate of this solar panel is 17%, and its lifespan is short.
The manufacturing process of polycrystalline solar panels is environmentally friendly.
Thin Film Solar Panels
As the name suggests, thin-film solar panels are thin and flexible. They contain less silicone and have a non-crystalline, amorphous structure.
This is one of the cheapest solar panels on the market, making it ideal for those searching for cheap solar panels.
Even though it is one of the most affordable and cheap solar panels on the market, its efficiency is only 7% to 15%.
Useful guides:
Maintenance of Solar Panels
Solar panels require little maintenance throughout their lifespan. However, it is important to get them serviced every 5 to 10 years.
Because of the solar panel’s tilted position, rain and debris fall out. If you notice a drop in energy production, it may indicate that it is time for a service.
You can clean your solar panel once per year. If you cannot do it yourself, consult a professional to ensure safety.
Solar Panels and Electricity Bills in the UK
Solar panels notably reduce your electricity bill as you can generate electricity from solar power. Hence, solar panels have a significant impact on your electricity bill.
A solar PV system generates more electricity during the daylight hours. During this time, you can use electricity for free, which reduces the amount you draw from the national grid. At night, you have to draw electricity from the national grid unless you have a battery storage system.
Installing a battery system can store excess electricity generated during high sunlight hours for use at night. This reduces your reliance on the grid and maximizes your savings.
If you don’t have a battery storage system, you can shift your energy usage to daytime hours.
One long-term benefit of solar panels is that you can confidently face the inflation of electricity prices, as you are generating your own electricity using solar energy.
Are Cheaper Solar Panels Worth it in the UK?
Cheap solar systems in the UK can be worth it under certain conditions. Let’s examine these points to see whether cheap solar panels are worth it.
- The initial price of cheaper solar panels is very low, making them more accessible.
- Cheap solar panels are less efficient, which means less electricity generation. However, advanced technology has improved their performance.
- The payback period for cheap solar panels is low, but they still have long-term savings.
- Cheap solar panels are made of low-quality materials, and so they are not very durable and long-lasting. This results in regular maintenance and earlier replacement.
- Incentives and subsidies are received even for cheap solar panels.
- Make sure that the system size meets the required energy needs, as lower efficiency can be fixed by installing more solar panels.
To wrap up, Cheap solar panels in the United Kingdom are worth it,
- If you have sufficient roof space to accommodate more panels.
- Choosing a reputed brand that offers a good warranty.
- Take full advantage of government incentives.
- Execute proper installation and maintenance through a professional.
FAQs
Conclusion
Solar panels were a luxury good before, but the government has made them more accessible to buy in order to facilitate the generation of renewable energy.
Solar panels available on the market are affordable and worth buying, considering the benefits gained in the long run.
Thus, do not hesitate to make your dream of living in an eco-house a reality!
