Solar panel installation
Can I get solar panels?
Most UK homes can have solar panels installed — but how well they work depends on your roof. Enter your postcode below and we'll show you your home, estimate the roof direction, and give you a Solarable Report.
Check your roof
A Solarable Report shows your likely roof direction, a Solarable Score, and listed installers covering your postcode.
The honest answer
What you need for solar panels in the UK.
In practice, you can get solar panels if:
- You own the roof you'd be installing on. Tenants need their landlord's agreement; people in flats with shared roofs usually can't go solar without the freeholder's involvement.
- Your roof can hold the panels. Most pitched and flat UK roofs can; the survey will check the structure.
- Your roof catches enough sun. South, south-east, and south-west roofs catch the most. East and west roofs work too, often very well with a battery. North-facing roofs catch the least, but a south-facing rear extension or flat roof on the same property might still be a good candidate.
- You have the budget. A typical UK installation costs around £4,800–£10,000 depending on system size and whether you add battery storage. Use the savings calculator for an honest payback range.
You don't need:
- A specific system size. Any size from a small terrace to a large detached can be sized to the home.
- Bright sunshine all year. UK solar generates usefully on cloudy days and in winter — just less than in summer.
- An MCS-only installer. MCS membership matters for the Smart Export Guarantee (which lets you sell unused electricity back). It's worth looking for, but it's not the only marker of a good installer.
Honest caveats
Things a roof check won't tell you.
- Listed buildings and conservation areas can need planning permission. A local installer will know.
- Older roofs sometimes need work before panels go on. The survey will flag this.
- Shading (chimneys, neighbouring trees) can cut output more than you'd think on small roofs.
A roof survey is the only way to confirm all of this. Solarable estimates help you decide whether the survey is worth booking.
Common questions
FAQs.
Do I need planning permission for solar panels in the UK?
Most domestic solar panel installations in England, Scotland, and Wales are "permitted development" and don't need planning permission. Listed buildings, conservation areas, and AONBs (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) can have additional rules. A local installer will tell you.
Will solar panels work on a north-facing roof?
They work less well on north-facing roofs, but many UK homes have a south, east, or west-facing roof on the same property that's a much better candidate. The roof check shows you which way your main roof is likely to face.
Can I get solar panels if I rent?
Usually you'd need your landlord's agreement, since solar panels are an installation on the landlord's property. Some landlords are open to it; some agree to share the savings. The conversation starts with a quote-ready installer survey on the property.
How long does an installation take?
A typical domestic solar installation takes 1–2 days. The whole process from quote to commissioning often takes 4–8 weeks depending on the installer and any planning complications.
Do solar panels work in winter in the UK?
Yes — they generate less in winter than in summer, but they generate usefully year-round. Annual figures from UK installers reflect both seasons.
Related
Keep going.
Solar savings calculator
Annual benefit and payback in honest UK ranges.
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Browse listed installers
Solar installers covering UK postcodes.
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Solar installers in Bristol
Listed installers covering BS postcode districts.
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For installers
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