Home
Every solar product
the UK needs,
in one place.
Solar panels, battery storage, inverters, EV chargers and everything in between — backed by honest advice and 0% VAT on all qualifying residential installations until March 2027.
Everything you need for a complete solar setup
Whether you’re starting from scratch or upgrading an existing system, we cover every component a UK home or business needs.
The UK’s most popular 440W–500W N-type TOPCon monocrystalline panels. Jinko Solar, JA Solar and Trina Solar are the top-selling brands in 2026 — chosen for efficiency, long warranties and proven UK performance.
From ~£150/panelLiFePO4 lithium-iron home batteries from 5kWh to 20kWh. Store your surplus solar energy and use it in the evening when you need it most. A 10kWh battery saves a typical household an extra £400–£550/year.
From ~£3,500 installedString, hybrid and microinverters from Huawei, Solis, Fox ESS, SolarEdge and Enphase. Your inverter converts solar DC electricity to usable AC. A hybrid inverter means you can always add battery storage later.
From ~£600Smart EV chargers that prioritise your solar generation over grid electricity when charging your car. Combined with a solar battery, you can charge your EV almost entirely from sunshine — especially in summer.
7kW–22kW optionsApp-based energy monitoring platforms that show exactly what your system is generating, consuming and exporting in real time. Huawei FusionSolar and Sigenergy’s AI-powered platform are popular 2026 choices.
Real-time dataUK-compliant roof mounting systems for pitched and flat roofs, ground mounts, DC and AC cables, connectors, fuses and isolators. Everything your MCS-certified installer needs to complete a safe, professional job.
Full installer kitThe numbers make a compelling case
Between the 0% VAT window, record-low panel prices, and guaranteed SEG income, the economics of home solar in 2026 are better than they’ve ever been.
A typical 4kWp system saves a UK household around £680 in bill reductions, plus around £140 in Smart Export Guarantee income. Add battery storage and that can climb past £1,200 per year.
Research shows solar panels add 6.2–6.8% to the value of a 2–3 bedroom UK home. On a £280,000 property that’s around £18,800 in added equity — on top of your energy savings.
The UK hit 2 million solar installations in 2026 with 22.3GW of capacity — the fastest-growing energy technology in British history. The government aims for 70GW by 2035. You’re joining a big movement.
How much does a solar system cost in 2026?
Prices have stabilised in 2026 following years of rapid falls. Here’s what a fully installed UK solar system costs right now, including all equipment and labour.
| System Size | Approx. Panels | Without Battery | With Battery | Annual Saving (est.) | Payback Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 kWp | 6–7 panels | ~£5,500 | ~£9,500 | ~£600/yr | 9–11 yrs |
| 4 kWp | 8–10 panels | ~£7,000 | ~£11,000 | ~£820/yr | 8–10 yrs |
| 5 kWp | 10–12 panels | ~£8,500 | ~£12,500 | ~£1,010/yr | 8–10 yrs |
| 6 kWp | 12–14 panels | ~£10,000 | ~£14,000 | ~£1,220/yr | 8–11 yrs |
Prices fully installed including panels, inverter, mounting and labour. Annual savings assume ~50% self-consumption, electricity at 26p/kWh and SEG at 7p/kWh. Figures are estimates — actual costs and savings vary by location, roof type and usage pattern. All qualifying residential installs at 0% VAT until March 2027.
0% VAT — act before March 2027
All qualifying residential solar panel, battery storage and solar thermal installations in Great Britain are currently charged at 0% VAT — a saving of up to £2,850 on a typical install.
Standard 5% VAT returns in April 2027. The longer you wait, the more you pay.
How a home solar system works
There are really only three parts to understand. Once you’ve got these, the rest is just choosing the right kit for your home.
Photovoltaic (PV) panels on your roof convert daylight — not just direct sunshine — into direct current (DC) electricity. Modern N-type TOPCon panels are efficient even on overcast UK days and continue generating useful power year-round.
The inverter is the brain of the system. It converts DC electricity from your panels into the alternating current (AC) your home appliances run on. A hybrid inverter also manages a battery, and lets you add one later if you don’t start with one.
Solar electricity goes into your home first. Surplus charges your battery for evening use. Any remaining excess is exported to the national grid and earns you Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments from your energy supplier.
MCS certification matters. To qualify for the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) and access government incentives, your installer must be MCS certified. Always check before accepting a quote.
Government help available right now
You don’t have to fund your solar system entirely on your own. There are several real, current schemes that reduce the upfront cost or provide ongoing income.
The most significant universal incentive. Since April 2022, all residential solar panel, battery and heat pump installations in Great Britain carry 0% VAT on parts and labour. This saves £1,000–£2,850 on a typical system. Applies to all homeowners with no income test. Standard VAT returns in April 2027.
UNIVERSAL · Until March 2027The government requires all licensed energy suppliers with 150,000+ customers to pay you for surplus solar electricity you export. Rates range from 4p to 15p per kWh depending on the supplier and tariff — it pays to shop around. You need an MCS-certified installation and a smart meter to qualify.
INCOME · Ongoing paymentsFor homeowners with a property EPC rating of D to G in England, this grant offers up to £15,000 for energy upgrades including solar panels and battery storage. In Scotland, Home Energy Scotland offers up to £7,500. Available through local authorities — check eligibility via the government’s official website.
LOW-INCOME HOMES · Up to £15,000The government’s £15 billion energy efficiency initiative launched in January 2026. When fully operational in 2027, it will offer 0% interest loans for solar and battery storage to all UK homeowners regardless of income. ECO4 (which covered low-income homes) ended in March 2026 — the Warm Homes Plan is its successor at a larger scale.
ALL HOMEOWNERS · From 2027How much electricity can solar generate in the UK?
A 4kWp system in central England generates around 3,500–4,200 kWh per year. Output peaks in summer but even winter months produce useful power from daylight.
Estimated monthly generation in kWh · 4kWp system · Central England · Annual total ~4,250 kWh. Actual output varies by location, panel orientation and shading conditions.
Popular solar equipment in the UK right now
These are the products UK installers and homeowners are choosing most in 2026. We’ve based this on MCS install data, installer surveys and independent reviews.
| Brand & Model | Output | Technology | Product Warranty | Why It’s Popular |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jinko Tiger Neo N-type | 440–480W | N-type TOPCon | 30 years | UK market leader · excellent efficiency · long warranty |
| JA Solar JAM54D41 | 425–435W | N-type TOPCon | 25 years | Consistently strong UK seller · great value per watt |
| Trina Vertex S+ | 440–450W | N-type TOPCon | 25 years | High efficiency · bifacial variant available for ground mounts |
| REC Alpha Pure | 410–430W | HJT | 25 years | Premium quality · low temperature coefficient · superb shade performance |
| Brand & Model | Type | Warranty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huawei Sun2000 | Hybrid | 10 years | Most UK homes — market leader with best app & LUNA2000 battery integration |
| Solis S6 | String / Hybrid | 10 years | Budget-conscious buyers — flexible, pairs with most battery brands |
| Fox ESS H3 | Hybrid | 10 years | Strong mid-range option — EPS backup & popular among UK installers |
| SolarEdge | Optimised DC | 12 years | Shaded or complex roofs — panel-level monitoring and optimisation |
| Enphase IQ8 | Microinverter | 25 years | Per-panel independence — eliminates single-point failure, longest warranty |
| Brand & Model | Capacity | Chemistry | Warranty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Powerwall 3 | 13.5 kWh | NMC | 10 years | Best-in-class power output — whole-home backup & smart software |
| Fox ESS H3 | 5–20 kWh | LiFePO4 | 10 years | Best overall for most UK homes in 2026 — strong value and support |
| BYD Battery Box | 5–22 kWh | LiFePO4 | 10 years | Modular expansion — pairs with Fronius, SMA and most hybrid inverters |
| Sigenergy | 8–48 kWh | LiFePO4 | 10 years | All-in-one system — inverter + battery + EV charging in a single cabinet |
| Puredrive Prime | 5–15 kWh | LiFePO4 | 10 years | UK-linked company — good installer support & clean monitoring app |
Solar panels UK — your questions answered
The questions we hear most from UK buyers, answered in plain English with 2026 figures.
How much do solar panels cost in the UK in 2026?
A standard 4kWp solar system in the UK costs between £6,500 and £8,500 fully installed — panels, inverter, mounting and all electrical work included. Add battery storage and the total is typically £10,000–£14,000. Smaller 3kWp systems start from around £5,500. Thanks to the current 0% VAT rate (until March 2027), you’re saving up to £2,850 versus paying standard-rate VAT. Cost per installed kWp currently sits at around £1,500–£2,000 across the UK.
What is the Smart Export Guarantee and how does it work?
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a UK government scheme that requires all licensed energy suppliers with 150,000 or more customers to pay you for every unit of surplus solar electricity you export to the national grid. Rates range from 4p to 15p per kWh depending on your supplier and tariff — it genuinely pays to shop around. To qualify, you need an MCS-certified solar installation and a smart meter. An average 4kWp household earns around £100–£200 per year from SEG, on top of direct bill savings.
What solar grants and financial support are available in the UK in 2026?
Several things are running right now. The 0% VAT rate is universal — any residential solar installation in Great Britain qualifies until March 2027. The Warm Homes: Local Grant offers up to £15,000 for homes with EPC ratings D–G. In Scotland, Home Energy Scotland grants of up to £7,500 are available. The Warm Homes Plan, launched January 2026, will offer 0% interest loans for all homeowners when fully operational in 2027. ECO4 (which provided free solar for lower-income households) ended in March 2026, but its successor schemes continue its work at a larger scale.
Do solar panels work properly in the UK’s weather?
Yes — and this is the question we get asked most. Panels generate electricity from daylight, not just direct sunshine, so overcast days still produce useful power. The UK receives between 1,100 and 1,600 sunshine hours per year depending on location — Cornwall gets the most, Scotland the least, but both are sufficient for a solid solar investment. A typical 4kWp system in central England generates around 3,500–4,200 kWh per year. Solar panels in Yorkshire will generate meaningfully less than in Devon, but both make financial sense at current electricity prices.
What size solar panel system do I need for my home?
For most 3–4 bedroom UK homes, a 4kWp system of 8–10 panels is the right starting point. Smaller homes or lower-consumption households suit 3kWp. Larger properties, EV owners or those with a heat pump should look at 5–6kWp. The simplest way to size it: find your annual kWh consumption on your electricity bill and aim for a system that covers 60–80% of your demand. We’re happy to help you work this out — just drop us a message at support@solarbriton.co.uk and we’ll give you a straight answer.
A question about any solar product?
We give honest, no-jargon advice — whether you’re comparing panels, working out the right battery size, or just trying to understand if solar makes sense for your home or business. Drop us a line and we’ll come back to you with a straight answer.
I am a Solar Design Engineer by profession with a deep renewable energy expertise. Holding an MPhil in Energy Technologies from the University of Cambridge, I spent over nine years engineering solar power systems at an MNC. Today, I bring that expertise to SolarBriton, sharing practical solar guidance with UK homeowners to save them from unnecessary hassle and make an informed decision.
I have been a Renewable Energy Consultant for over 20 years at a Multi-national company, worked across large-scale solar projects. I now advise homeowners and businesses across the UK on choosing the right solar panels, batteries, and installers for their homes. My aim is to cut through the jargon and help people make confident, well-informed decisions about going solar and save their precious time and money.