Where in the UK could you get the best return on solar and battery?

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Location, location, location.

Photo credits: Unsplash.

Solar panels could save households across the UK hundreds of pounds a year, according to the Rooftop Valuation Report United Kingdom. On average across the UK, a solar and battery system could pay for itself in around 7.9 years, with savings continuing to build after that. Solar is becoming increasingly common too: a record 269,000 solar installations were completed across the UK in 2025, 37% more than the previous year, with around 255,000 installed on rooftops.

How do estimated solar savings compare across the UK?

Homeowners could see estimated average annual savings of around £954 in England, £930 in Northern Ireland, £869 in Scotland and £951 in Wales, with some regions seeing average savings of more than £1,000 a year.

Country	Avg. annual saving	Avg. payback	Avg. 20-yr return
England	£954	7.81 years	£10,993
Northern Ireland	£930	7.95 years	£10,549
Scotland	£869	8.54 years	£9,323
Wales	£951	7.83 years	£10,938

Country-wide averages only tell part of the story. Estimated savings can vary between regions and districts, depending partly on how much usable sunlight an area receives throughout the year.

Where in the UK could homeowners see the strongest solar returns?

Beyond country-wide averages, estimated solar savings can vary considerably between regions and districts. Some of the strongest returns are found in southern England and South West Wales, while homeowners in other parts of the UK could also see hundreds of pounds in estimated savings each year.

England: The South East and South West show estimated average annual savings of £991 and £976 respectively. At district level, Torbay reaches around £1,069 a year.

Northern Ireland: Down has estimated average annual savings of £950. At district level, Ards and North Down reaches around £958 a year.

Scotland: North East Scotland has estimated average annual savings of £896. At district level, Dundee City reaches around £929 a year.

Wales: South West Wales has estimated average annual savings of £1,001, rising to around £1,014 a year in Pembrokeshire.

Is solar worth it outside the sunniest parts of the UK?

Yes. Based on the report's modelling, every UK country analysed achieves estimated average annual savings of more than £800 with the solar and battery system modelled.

Living somewhere with less sunlight may affect how much electricity your panels generate, but location is only one part of the picture. Your individual roof and how you use energy at home can make a big difference too.

How much could I save with solar where I live?

Your postcode is a useful starting point for estimating your solar potential. From there, the characteristics of your home and how you use electricity can make a big difference to your estimated savings. Key factors depend on:

the size and usable area of your roof
the direction your roof faces
shading from trees or nearby buildings
local sunlight levels
the solar and battery system installed
how much electricity your household uses

GreenSketch brings these factors together to estimate your home's “Sunlight Salary” — the estimated annual financial value your roof could unlock with a solar and battery system. This includes your potential electricity bill savings, estimated payback period and longer-term return.

Find out how much you could save with solar

Regional averages are a useful guide, but every home is different. A personalised assessment can show your home's solar potential, including how much electricity you could generate, your estimated annual savings and which solar and battery options could suit your property.

→ Want to see your own estimated Sunlight Salary? Enter your postcode on Emily for a free, personalised assessment.

Frequently asked questions

Which part of the UK is best for solar panels?

Some of the strongest estimated regional savings are found in South West Wales (£1,001 a year), the South East of England (£991) and the South West of England (£976). However, homeowners across every UK country and region analysed could see estimated savings over the long term.

Is solar worth it if I don't live in the south of England?

Yes, as GreenSketch's modelling shows potential long-term savings across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Your individual roof, energy use and local sunlight levels can also have a significant impact on how much you could save.

Does my postcode affect how much I could save with solar?

Yes, because the amount of usable sunlight varies by location. Your roof's size, direction and shading, as well as how much electricity you use at home, can also affect your potential savings.

How is my home's solar saving potential estimated?

GreenSketch uses factors including your roof's size, direction and shading, local sunlight levels, system size and cost, and typical household electricity use. This provides an indication of your potential annual savings, payback period and longer-term return, rather than a guaranteed figure or formal quote.

Figures in this article are estimates based on our modelling of typical UK rooftops and are not a guarantee of savings, returns or performance for any individual home. Actual results will vary by property.

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