How much does solar + battery cost in the UK in 2026?

What you need to set aside.

Image source: iStock

A basic solar and battery system in the UK costs can cost an estimated £7,844.50 in 2026, for a 5.17 kWp panel array paired with a 5 kWh battery.

This setup pays back in approximately 7.9 years, with returns of roughly £10,433 over 20 years.

However, costs will depend on your roof size, energy usage, and the system tier you choose.

Three system sizes and what they cost to run

You may think, "bigger is better", but that's not always the case.

The right size depends on your household's electricity usage, roof space, and your longer-term considerations when it comes to your home—for example, if you're looking to sell, flip, or if you plan on being as independent of the grid as possible.

EnergyBrain's assessment tool, Emily, models three standard proposals:

In the UK Rooftop Valuation Report, we modelled an analysis of over 15 million rooftops/ individual buildings across the UK. Using a system size of 5.17 kWp PV + 5 kWh battery, our modelling estimated an average:

• £946 in annual bill savings
• 7.9 year payback period
• 10.2% Internal Rate of Return

This demonstrates that for the majority of households, solar and battery are a strong investment in 2026. This is especially as battery costs have fallen and export rates have improved.

What actually makes up the cost of a solar and battery system?

Your upfront investment for a solar and battery system typically covers:

• Solar panels and mounting hardware
• Inverter
• Battery storage unit
• Labour costs for installation and electrical works
• Balance-of-system components (cabling, monitoring, safety isolators)

What's not in the figure above? VAT. Residential solar and battery installations currently qualify for 0% VAT, a relief that runs from April 2022 through to 31 March 2027.

If you're deciding whether to install solar and battery this year, or wait for component costs to come down further, you might want to take this 0% VAT relief into consideration.

Does where I stay in the UK change the cost of my solar and storage system?

Hardware costs are broadly similar UK-wide. However, your return-on-investment may vary depending on where you are.

How much you can save on your electricity bill, or how much you can get out of your solar investment, depends on the amount of available sunlight. This is affected by location, i.e. how far south you are, or geography in the case of Northern Ireland, where the coastal and inland terrain influences solar performance.

As an example, the Rooftop Valuation Report found that:

• Homeowners in England see the strongest savings: an estimated £900/ year in savings and a 7.4-year payback period.
• Within England, districts in the south like Torbay and Maidstone see the fastest payback periods, at 6.55 and 6.65 years respectively.
• Scotland sees the lowest average savings: £777/ year and 8.4-year payback period.

This means that the £7,069 investment can generate long-term value depending on your postcode; the generic UK average is a starting point, rather than a substitute for a property-specific estimate.

[Get your tailored solar and battery investment outline]

Financing and reducing the upfront cost of solar and battery in the UK

Depending on your personal circumstances, you may be able to reduce or spread the cost through different schemes available across the UK. This includes:

• 0% VAT on the system
• Returns from the Smart Export Guarantee, which pays 5-15p per kWh (depending on provider) exported back to the grid, effectively improving your payback after factoring ongoing earnings after the system starts to pay for itself.

Frequently asked questions

Is £7,884.50 the total cost, or just the panels? What exactly are installers quoting me for?

The average investment of £7,884.50 provided in the Rooftop Valuation Report is an estimate for a full new system: panels, inverter and battery, for a 5.17 kWp PV + 5 kWh battery system. This includes costs of labour, electrical works, plus balance-of-system components (cabling, monitoring, safety isolators). Depending on the installation company you approach and your final system design, the costs may vary.

Will my system cost more or less than the UK-wide average?

How much your system will cost depends on the your roof size, orientation, existing electrical setup and household energy use. The estimated average £7,884.50 is a benchmark, rather than a quote, and will likely fluctuate as market conditions change.

How do I find a suitable installer?

You can key in your postcode on EnergyBrain. There, you will be provided with three options for solar and storage in your home, with estimates on your annual savings, payback period and return-on-investment.

From there, you can request to connect with an installer. Your interest will be shared with a suitable installer near you, who is registered with a GreenSketch account.

Is solar and battery worth it if my payback period is longer than 7.5 years?

Yes. Every region in the UK analysed in the Rooftop Valuation Report delivers positive long-term returns. A longer payback period simply means it takes more years to break even before the savings become pure upside. As with most investments, starting early will be more beneficial for the long-term.

Want an estimate on your solar and storage options personalised to your home? Enter your postcode on Emily for a free assessment.

Sources

1. Solar Energy UK: VAT on solar and battery storage
2. MCS: Smart Export Guarantee