Solar panels Home services FAQs: 25 common questions answered

The state of UK home solar in 2025

UK homeowners are turning to solar in record numbers. Domestic installations rose 22% in the first half of 2025, with nearly 100,000 systems fitted. It is the strongest start to a year since 2012, helped by Part L regulations and the Government’s Solar Roadmap. Over 40% of new homes in England now include solar, and Scotland’s comparable rules are pushing even higher adoption.

Solar is moving from nice-to-have to standard feature across GB homes.

Great Britain’s solar generation is up 32% this year, with national capacity now around 18 GW. For households, that translates into stronger savings potential and growing confidence in certified installers.

Who benefits most from going solar

If you own a roof with reasonable sun exposure and pay for grid electricity, solar can cut bills and carbon. Households in areas like Argyll and Bute, The Cotswolds, and Ceredigion are leading adoption, but opportunities exist nationwide. New-build buyers benefit from integrated systems, while existing homeowners can retrofit for savings and resilience.

Terms you will hear - explained simply

Understanding a few core terms will help you compare quotes and avoid surprises.

• kW (kilowatt): System size or inverter rating. Typical homes install 3-6 kW.
• kWh (kilowatt-hour): Energy produced or used. Bills and savings are in kWh.
• PV (photovoltaic): Panels converting sunlight into electricity.
• Inverter: Converts DC from panels to AC for home use.
• Hybrid inverter: Works with a battery and supports export to the grid.
• Battery storage: Stores excess energy for evening use or outages.
• MCS certification: Quality mark for products and installers. Often required for payments and warranties.
• Export tariff/SEG: Payment for electricity you send back to the grid.
• Part L/Future Homes Standard: Building rules improving efficiency that are driving more solar on new homes in England, with similar standards in Scotland and Wales.
• Performance ratio: How much of expected output a system achieves in real conditions.
• Degradation: Panels slowly produce less each year, typically around 0.3% to 0.7%.

Knowing these basics turns a complex quote into a clear decision.

Your main setup choices

Below are common configurations for UK homes.

Notes:

• Costs vary by roof type, access, brands, scaffolding, and DNO approvals.
• Savings depend on usage patterns, tariff rates, export prices, and battery control.

Money matters - costs, savings, ROI and risks

• Upfront costs: Most domestic PV-only installs land between £4,500 and £8,000. Batteries add £2,000-£5,000 depending on capacity and brand.
• Bill savings: Typical households see 30-60% bill reductions with PV-only, and 50-75% with smartly managed PV plus battery.
• Payback: Often 6-10 years for PV-only and 7-12 years with a battery, assuming stable tariffs and export payments.
• Export income: Smart Export Guarantee rates vary. Optimising self-consumption plus fair export can materially improve returns.
• Property value: With 40%+ of English new builds already solar-equipped, buyers increasingly view PV as a quality marker and future-proofing feature.
• Risks to plan for: Shading, poor design, roof condition, inverter replacement after 10-15 years, and tariff changes.

Treat solar as a long-term asset with predictable, inflation-beating savings.

Can you get it - and should you

• Roof suitability: South-facing is ideal, but east-west arrays often deliver strong results across the day. Check for shading from chimneys and trees.
• Tenure and permissions: Owner-occupiers have the cleanest path. Leaseholders may need freeholder consent. Many installs are permitted development, but conservation areas/listed buildings need approval.
• Electrical and grid: Your installer handles DNO notification/permission. Some larger systems require prior approval.
• Certification: Choose MCS-accredited installers and products to qualify for warranties and export payments.
• Regional context: Scotland’s high new-build adoption and Wales’s strong uptake show broad GB suitability. Local solar resource is adequate across the UK.

From enquiry to switch-on - what happens when

1. Site survey - roof, electrics, shading, usage review
2. Design & quote - layout, kit, yields, price, payback
3. Permissions - DNO, planning (if needed), scaffold booked
4. Install - mounting, wiring, inverter, safety checks
5. Commissioning - testing, handover, manuals, MCS certificate
6. SEG setup - export meter and tariff registration
7. App onboarding - monitoring, alerts, optimisation
8. First month check - verify output, tariff, snag fixes

Advantages and trade-offs at a glance

Pros:

• Lower bills and hedge against tariff rises
• Clean energy with clear carbon reductions
• Increasingly standard in new builds across GB
• Smart home integration and export income

Cons:

• Upfront cost and potential inverter replacement
• Performance varies with roof and shading
• Savings depend on behaviour and tariffs
• Batteries add complexity and cost

Due diligence before you sign

• Compare at least three MCS quotes like-for-like on kit, yield, warranties, and scaffolding.
• Ask for a shading analysis, annual yield estimate, and performance ratio assumptions.
• Check roof condition; fix tiles and underlay before installing.
• Scrutinise warranties: panels (20-30 years), inverters (5-12 years), workmanship (2+ years).
• Confirm DNO notifications and any required permissions are included.
• Validate export tariff terms and smart meter compatibility.

A thorough pre-check prevents most post-install surprises.

If solar is not a fit right now

• Insulation upgrades: Often the highest-return first step.
• Heat pumps: Pair well with PV for low-carbon heating.
• Time-of-use tariffs: Shift usage to off-peak to save now.
• Community solar or green tariffs: Access renewable benefits without installing panels.

Your 25 most-asked questions - answered

1. How much does a typical system cost? PV-only £4,500-£8,000; with battery £7,500-£12,000.
2. What size do I need? Many homes choose 3-6 kW based on roof space and usage.
3. How much can I save yearly? Roughly £350-£900 depending on setup and behaviour.
4. Is a battery worth it? If you use power in evenings or want resilience, often yes.
5. Do I get paid to export? Yes via SEG; rates vary by supplier.
6. Will solar work on cloudy days? Yes, at reduced output; annual yields remain strong.
7. How long do panels last? Commonly 25-30 years with gradual degradation.
8. When will the inverter need replacing? Typically after 10-15 years.
9. Do I need planning permission? Usually no; exceptions include conservation areas and listed buildings.
10. What about north-facing roofs? Yields are lower; consider east-west or ground mount if possible.
11. How long is installation? 1-3 days for most homes.
12. Do I need a new meter? A smart meter is needed for export payments.
13. Can I add panels later? Often yes if roof, inverter, and DNO limits allow.
14. What maintenance is required? Minimal; visual checks and occasional cleaning.
15. Will solar increase my home value? It can, as buyers value lower running costs.
16. Are grants available? Policies evolve; the Solar Roadmap supports rollout. Check local schemes.
17. Is MCS certification important? Yes for quality assurance and SEG eligibility.
18. What payback should I expect? Frequently 6-10 years PV-only, 7-12 with battery.
19. Can I power an EV from solar? Yes, with daytime charging or battery support.
20. What if I have shading? Optimisers or microinverters can limit shading losses.
21. What happens in a power cut? Standard PV shuts down; batteries with backup can supply circuits.
22. Do panels damage roofs? Not when installed correctly; they can offer some weather protection.
23. Will I still get a bill? Yes, but lower; you remain connected for night and winter.
24. How accurate are yield estimates? Good when based on site-specific data and MCS tools.
25. Why is 2025 a good time to install? Record uptake, strong policy support, and proven tech maturity.

What to do next

• Gather your past 12 months of electricity bills and note daytime vs evening usage.
• Request three MCS-accredited quotes with clear designs, yields, and warranties.
• Compare SEG export rates from multiple suppliers before commissioning.
• Ask about battery readiness even if starting PV-only.
• Use monitoring apps to optimise self-consumption once live.

Important information

This guide is for general information only and is not financial advice. Paybacks and savings are estimates and depend on your usage, tariff, site conditions, product choices, and policy changes. Always compare MCS-certified quotes and read full terms.