Retrofit | Solar PV & Batteries

Solar panels generate electricity from daylight — not direct sunshine — which means they work well in the UK year-round. A well-sized system matched to your household's consumption, with a battery to shift surplus daytime generation into the evening, can significantly reduce your electricity bills and your dependence on the grid. Add a smart time-of-use tariff and the savings increase further.

The main financial incentive is 0% VAT on installation (confirmed until March 2027), plus the Smart Export Guarantee, which pays you for surplus electricity exported to the grid. A typical 3–4 kWp system with battery costs £8,500–£14,000 before VAT relief; low-income households may qualify for support through ECO4 or the Warm Homes Local Grant.

The key to a good outcome is choosing the right installer. Shading analysis, site-specific generation modelling, and named equipment on the quote are non-negotiables — a quote produced from a satellite image with no site visit is a guess, usually an optimistic one.

This guide gives you the tools to find a competent, certified installer, ask the right questions, and compare quotes on what actually matters (click on image below)

The amazing improvements in solar price-performance help businesses and homeowners

Solar has transformed over the past decade. UK installation costs fell by around 73% between 2010 and 2019 alone, and small domestic systems became a further 19% cheaper in 2024/25. Panel efficiency has risen from around 10% to 20–24% for standard modern panels, meaning fewer panels are needed to deliver the same output. The combined effect is that a system delivering the same energy as one costing £40,000 twenty years ago now costs around £6,000–£8,000 — and with 0% VAT, the Smart Export Guarantee paying you for surplus electricity, and electricity prices remaining high, the financial case has never been stronger.