Solar Panel Installation Quotes
From MCS-Certified Installers
Compare quotes from MCS and RECC-approved solar installers in your area. Solar PV, battery storage and solar thermal — up to 3 free quotes in 24 hours, across 519 towns.
- Every installer MCS-certified and RECC-registered
- Solar PV systems from £4,500 nationally
- Solar + battery storage from £8,500 nationally
- Completely free — no obligation to proceed
How Much Does Solar Installation Cost in the UK?
Full cost guide →A typical 4–6kW system suitable for most 3–4 bedroom UK homes. Reduces grid electricity use significantly during daylight hours. Most systems qualify for the Smart Export Guarantee.
Get quotes for this →Solar PV plus battery storage to use your generated electricity in the evening. Maximises self-consumption and reduces reliance on the grid. Future-proofs your home for time-of-use tariffs.
Get quotes for this →Solar thermal collectors heat water directly, working alongside your existing boiler or immersion heater. Lower cost than solar PV but only benefits hot water, not general electricity use.
Get quotes for this →Solar costs vary by roof size, orientation, shading and local installer rates. Compare 3 quotes from MCS-certified local installers for your exact property.
Get free quotes →Regional pricing note: Solar installation costs vary modestly by region. London and the South East are typically 10–15% above the national average. Rural areas may see slight premiums due to installer travel. Use our cost guide or enter your postcode above for town-specific ranges.
Solar Installation — What You Need to Know
Solar panels are one of the most effective ways to reduce long-term electricity bills and lower your home's carbon footprint. Modern panels perform reliably in UK conditions, generating meaningful output across most of the year, and adding potential value to your property.
The key to a good solar installation is choosing an MCS-certified installer who understands your roof orientation, shading, household energy use and local grid connection requirements. BestBuilders connects you with verified solar specialists with genuine customer reviews — not generalists who have added solar as a sideline.
Every installer in our network holds current MCS certification, is RECC-registered for consumer protection, carries minimum £2m public liability insurance, and is monitored for sustained review quality.
How we vet installers →How It Works
Every Solar Installer We List Is:
Planning Permission, MCS & Grid Connection
🏡 Permitted Development
Most domestic solar PV installations qualify under Permitted Development Rights in England, Scotland and Wales, meaning no formal planning application is required. Panels must not protrude more than 200mm from the roof slope. Listed buildings, conservation areas and flats have additional restrictions — your installer will confirm eligibility for your specific property.
📋 MCS Certification
MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) accreditation is essential. It confirms quality installation standards, is required to access the Smart Export Guarantee and reduces VAT eligibility on domestic installations. Every installer in our network holds current MCS certification for solar PV.
⚡ Grid Connection
Solar systems connect to your home's consumer unit and (for export) to the grid. Most residential systems up to 3.68kW per phase qualify for simplified G98 notification after install; larger systems need pre-approval via G99. Your installer manages the DNO paperwork end-to-end.
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG): If your system is MCS-certified, you can apply to an SEG-licensed energy supplier to be paid for electricity you export to the grid. Export rates vary significantly by supplier (typically 3–15p per kWh) and some require a smart meter. Your installer will advise on the best SEG tariffs available at the time of your install.
Solar Installation Cost by Region (2026)
Live cost ranges sourced from the Best Builders 2026 Cost Index — aggregated quote data across all 519 UK towns. Solar PV figures cover standard 4–6kW systems; battery and thermal figures cover full installation. All ranges include MCS-certified labour and standard equipment; premium panels/inverters/batteries shift figures upward.
| Region | Solar PV (4–6kW) | Solar + Battery | Solar Thermal |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | £5,175 – £9,775 | £9,775 – £17,250 | £4,025 – £7,475 |
| South East | £4,500 – £8,500 | £8,500 – £15,000 | £3,500 – £6,500 |
| Southern | £4,725 – £8,925 | £8,925 – £15,750 | £3,675 – £6,825 |
| Eastern | £4,500 – £8,500 | £8,500 – £15,000 | £3,500 – £6,500 |
| West Midlands | £4,500 – £8,500 | £8,500 – £15,000 | £3,500 – £6,500 |
| East Midlands | £4,500 – £8,500 | £8,500 – £15,000 | £3,500 – £6,500 |
| Yorkshire | £4,500 – £8,500 | £8,500 – £15,000 | £3,500 – £6,500 |
| North West | £4,500 – £8,500 | £8,500 – £15,000 | £3,500 – £6,500 |
| South West | £4,500 – £8,500 | £8,500 – £15,000 | £3,500 – £6,500 |
| North East | £4,500 – £8,500 | £8,500 – £15,000 | £3,500 – £6,500 |
| Scotland (North) | £4,275 – £8,075 | £8,075 – £14,250 | £3,325 – £6,175 |
| Scotland (South) | £4,275 – £8,075 | £8,075 – £14,250 | £3,325 – £6,175 |
| South Wales | £4,500 – £8,500 | £8,500 – £15,000 | £3,500 – £6,500 |
| Merseyside & N. Wales | £4,500 – £8,500 | £8,500 – £15,000 | £3,500 – £6,500 |
Source: Best Builders 2026 Cost Index, refreshed quarterly across 519 UK towns. Solar costs vary less regionally than building work because equipment dominates total cost. Scotland sees a modest discount (~5%) reflecting tighter installer competition. See full cost index →
What Homeowners Say About Our Solar Installers
Got three quotes within 24 hours for solar PV with battery. All three installers were MCS-certified and the one we chose walked us through the generation estimates properly. Happy with the install and the monitoring app.
Really impressed. The installer did a proper shading survey before quoting, not just a Google Maps check. System is performing in line with the generation estimate and the SEG export is already paying us back.
Added battery storage to an existing solar system. BestBuilders matched us with a specialist who'd done dozens of retrofits on our inverter brand. Install was clean, paperwork was handled, and the DNO G99 approval came through within expected timescales.
Solar Installation FAQs
Our sources for this guide
Cost ranges, timelines and regulatory information on this page are compiled from:
- Best Builders 2026 Cost Index — primary source: regional solar cost ranges aggregated from active quote requests across 519 UK towns, refreshed quarterly
- MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) — installer certification standards
- RECC — Renewable Energy Consumer Code — consumer protection framework
- Energy Saving Trust — Solar Panels — independent solar guidance
- Ofgem — Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) — current SEG tariff framework
- GOV.UK — 0% VAT on domestic solar (until March 2027)
- Planning Portal — Solar Panels & Planning Permission
Editorial standards & how to reach us
This page is maintained by the Best Builders editorial team. Cost figures are reviewed quarterly against active quote data from our verified UK installer network. Regulatory information (MCS, RECC, SEG, planning, VAT) is checked against current UK government guidance at each refresh. We do not accept payment for editorial coverage; installer listings are earned through our vetting process, not bought.
If you spot an error, have feedback, or want to suggest content improvements, email editorial@bestbuilders.co.uk.
Last updated: 23 May 2026 · Next scheduled review: 23 August 2026
Solar Installers Across 519 UK Towns
Each town page shows local solar installers, town-specific cost ranges and nearby areas.