Solar & Battery Pricing for United Kingdom Design, Cost & Payback Calculator
Design solar and battery systems across the United Kingdom using Photonik's professional design platform. With over 1.3 million UK homes already powered by solar and the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) providing export payments, now is an ideal time to explore solar energy.
Solar Planning & Design
To size your system, start with two questions: how much electricity you use, and how much roof space you have.
1. Energy usage
The average UK household uses between 8–11 kWh of electricity per day, though this is rising as more homes adopt heat pumps and electric vehicles. A small flat might use just 5 kWh daily, while a large 4-bed detached home can exceed 11 kWh. Usage peaks in winter due to shorter days, more lighting, and electric heating, while summer demand is lower. If you are planning a heat pump or EV, factor in the additional load — a heat pump alone can add 3,000–4,000 kWh per year. We start with energy usage because it determines how many panels you need to offset a meaningful share of your bill.
Note: These are simplified estimates. For detailed tariff inputs and advanced calculations, use the full Photonik app.
Representative flat export rate (feed-in tariff). What you earn per kWh of surplus solar exported to the grid. Your actual rate depends on your provider, plan, and time of day.
Estimated at 75% of the retail grid rate. A battery lets you store daytime solar and export during expensive peak hours, so each exported kWh is typically worth more than a flat feed-in tariff. Real returns depend on your time-of-use tariff and battery efficiency.
2. How many panels can fit on your roof?
How many panels fit depends on your house type and roof layout. A typical 3-bed semi-detached has 20–30 m² of usable south-facing rear roof, fitting around 8–10 panels (3–4 kW). A detached home can often accommodate 12–16 panels, while a terraced house may only fit 6–8. Bungalows tend to have generous roof area relative to floor space. Chimneys, dormer windows, Velux skylights, and satellite dishes all reduce available space, and panels typically need at least 30 cm setback from roof edges.
UK roofs are typically pitched at 30–40 degrees with natural slate, clay tiles, or concrete tiles — all suitable for standard hook-and-rail or bracket mounting systems. Installations must be carried out by an MCS-certified installer to qualify for Smart Export Guarantee payments and the 0% VAT rate. The electrical work must comply with BS 7671 wiring regulations (Part P), and the system must meet MCS 012 mounting standards and G99 grid connection requirements.
Loading panel placement tool...
This is a simplified panel layout tool — if you hit issues here, or need multiple groups, shading, or generation calcs, use the full Photonik design tool.
System sizing United Kingdom
System Costs
The overall price of a solar and battery system depends on equipment quality, installation complexity, and any available rebates or incentives.
Estimated price
A 5.9 kW solar system in the UK costs approximately £9,682, while adding a 10 kWh battery increases the total to around £18,507. Solar panels and battery storage qualify for 0% VAT (zero-rated) when installed by a VAT-registered installer in residential properties, making solar more affordable than ever. Solar-only systems typically pay for themselves in around 9.0 years, whilst adding battery storage usually extends payback but significantly improves energy independence. The Smart Export Guarantee provides ongoing export payments, improving long-term returns compared to the previous Feed-in Tariff scheme.
The cost breakdown shows estimates for equipment costs and installation labour. Adjust system size and battery storage to see how it affects total investment and payback periods. Note that prices vary by installer and location, with London and the South East typically commanding premium rates. The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme has no end date and provides ongoing export payments, improving long-term returns.
Tiers follow the same scale as the Photonik app. Browse the panel product directory.
Rebates & incentives
Residential solar installations in the UK carry 0% VAT — a saving of around £1,000 or more on a typical system — confirmed until at least March 2027, after which the rate rises to 5%. There is no direct government grant for standard residential solar, but the Warm Homes Plan (launched January 2026) provides grants and interest-free loans for eligible lower-income households. Solar battery storage also qualifies for the 0% VAT rate whether installed with panels or added later. Smart Export Guarantee income is tax-free for homeowners.
Payback
Simple payback is the system price divided by annual savings. The price side depends on equipment quality, installation complexity, and rebates. The savings side depends on your electricity usage, the buy rate per kWh, and the feed-in tariff for exported energy.
Simple payback calculation
Electricity rates & feed-in tariffs
UK residential electricity rates are currently around 24–25p/kWh under the Ofgem price cap (Q2 2026), making self-consumed solar energy very valuable. Through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), energy suppliers must pay for electricity you export — typical rates range from 5–15p/kWh, with some suppliers offering up to 24p/kWh on premium or time-of-use plans. The gap between your import rate and typical export rate means using solar electricity yourself saves roughly twice as much as exporting it, making batteries a strong option for households that are out during peak generation hours.
Solar Design & Savings in United Kingdom's regions
East Midlands
Design and pricing assumptions for East Midlands use region-level sun data and local incentive settings.
East of England
Design and pricing assumptions for East of England use region-level sun data and local incentive settings.
North East England
Design and pricing assumptions for North East England use region-level sun data and local incentive settings.
Northern Ireland
Design and pricing assumptions for Northern Ireland use region-level sun data and local incentive settings.
North West England
Design and pricing assumptions for North West England use region-level sun data and local incentive settings.
Scotland
Design and pricing assumptions for Scotland use region-level sun data and local incentive settings.
South East England
Design and pricing assumptions for South East England use region-level sun data and local incentive settings.
South West England
Design and pricing assumptions for South West England use region-level sun data and local incentive settings.
Wales
Design and pricing assumptions for Wales use region-level sun data and local incentive settings.
West Midlands
Design and pricing assumptions for West Midlands use region-level sun data and local incentive settings.
Yorkshire & the Humber
Design and pricing assumptions for Yorkshire & the Humber use region-level sun data and local incentive settings.
