Solar installers in Exeter.

Sun figures from PVGIS; roof estimates include solar data from Google. How we measure.

Local context

Solar in Exeter: quick guide.

Exeter has strong solar fundamentals. Devon sits in the sunniest part of mainland Britain, and the housing here is mostly straightforward to fit — post-war suburbs, new estates like Cranbrook and Newcourt, and a lot of unlisted pitched roofs. The complications, where they exist, are about heritage in the centre, not sunshine.

A few Exeter-specific things worth knowing:

• Good light, real yield. The EX area gets among the highest solar irradiation in the UK — a well-oriented roof here produces more than the same roof would in the north.
• Heritage in the core. The cathedral quarter and central conservation areas, plus listed Georgian and older stock, are the places where permitted-development rights are restricted. Rear-roof or low-visibility installs stand the best chance there.
• New-build estates. Cranbrook, Newcourt, Monkerton and the like are ideal — modern trusses, simple roof planes, and often room to add battery storage cleanly.
• Wider Devon. Outside the city — Exmouth, Tiverton, Barnstaple, Bideford — is largely unconstrained. Listed installers usually cover a broad stretch of the county.
• Battery storage. With time-of-use tariffs spreading, it's worth running the numbers through the savings calculator.

Grants & support

What help is available in Exeter?

Solar and battery installations across the UK are currently zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027 — a straight saving on the installed price for every household, with no application needed. In England, ECO4 and the Warm Homes scheme can help eligible lower-income households with energy-efficiency measures through their energy supplier or local council.

Eligibility for grant schemes depends on your income, home and circumstances, and the schemes change. We keep the current picture on one page rather than guess what you'll qualify for.