Headline UK pricing (2026)
| System | Typical installed cost | Annual generation | Annual saving | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3kWp (~7 panels) | £4,800–£7,200 | 2,600–2,850 kWh | £520–£640 | 9–11 yrs |
| 4kWp (~9 panels) | £5,800–£9,200 | 3,500–3,950 kWh | £720–£860 | 8–10 yrs |
| 5kWp (~12 panels) | £7,200–£11,000 | 4,300–4,900 kWh | £880–£1,050 | 8–10 yrs |
| 6kWp (~14 panels) | £8,000–£12,500 | 5,200–5,900 kWh | £1,050–£1,250 | 8–10 yrs |
| + 5kWh battery | + £2,500–£3,800 | — | + £180–£320 | — |
| + 10kWh battery | + £4,200–£5,500 | — | + £280–£440 | — |
What every line on a solar quote should cover
- Panels — Tier-1 N-type module, brand and wattage stated (e.g. "Aiko Neostar 2P 445W ×9")
- Inverter — Make, model and warranty (e.g. "GivEnergy Gen3 hybrid 5kW, 10-year warranty")
- Mounting kit — Roof hooks, rails, end-clamps (specify roof type)
- DC/AC isolators, surge protection, generation meter
- Scaffolding — Itemised; £450–£1,400 depending on access and storeys
- Electrical works — Consumer unit upgrade if needed, Type-A RCBO
- MCS certification — Mandatory for SEG export payments
- DNO G98/G99 notification — Mandatory; ~£100 cost
- Workmanship warranty — Insist on minimum 10 years
Where money is wasted
The biggest unnecessary upsells in UK quotes are:
- "Premium" microinverters on unshaded roofs (£600–£1,200 extra for no measurable benefit)
- Oversized batteries — 13–15kWh batteries rarely pay back; 5–10kWh is the sweet spot for most homes
- Solar diverters for hot water if you already have a heat pump or gas boiler in good condition
Regional cost variation across Scotland
Scottish installation costs vary less than most people expect (~10% spread), but the drivers are worth understanding. The Central Belt (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Falkirk) sits at the cheap end thanks to installer density and short travel. Highland, Argyll and Island postcodes carry a £400–£900 mobilisation surcharge for overnight travel. Coastal exposure (Ayrshire, Fife, Moray, Aberdeenshire) adds £150–£350 for marine-grade fixings and IP66-rated isolators. Granite properties in Aberdeen and Peterhead add 15–25% to fixing labour due to diamond core-drilling.
A real Perth quote, line by line (November 2025)
Here's an unedited itemised quote from a Perthshire cash-buyer household for a 4.45kWp system:
| Line item | Cost |
|---|---|
| 10 × REC Alpha Pure-R 445W all-black modules | £2,850 |
| SolarEdge SE5000H hybrid inverter (10-yr warranty) | £1,120 |
| 10 × SolarEdge P505 optimisers (partial shade at rear chimney) | £620 |
| K2 SingleRail mounting kit, concrete-tile hooks, end clamps | £410 |
| DC/AC isolators, surge protection, generation meter | £180 |
| Scaffolding (two-storey, front pavement licence) | £680 |
| Consumer unit upgrade, Type-A RCBO, cabling | £340 |
| MCS certification + DNO G98 notification | £185 |
| Labour, commissioning, HIES IBG | £1,215 |
| Total (VAT zero-rated to March 2027) | £7,600 |
Get a personalised local view via our Scottish location guides.
Get a personalised solar quote
Compare honest, MCS-certified installer quotes for your address. No pushy sales calls — just a 60-second form and a transparent breakdown of costs, savings and payback.
- ✓ UK-based independent advice
- ✓ MCS-certified installers only
- ✓ No obligation, no upfront fees
- ✓ Local savings estimates
Frequently asked questions
01.How much do solar panels cost in the UK?
A 4kWp system (~9 panels) typically costs £5,800–£9,200 installed in 2026. Smaller 3kWp systems start at ~£4,800; 6kWp systems run £8,000–£12,000. Adding a 5–10kWh battery adds £2,500–£5,500.
02.Why do quotes vary so much?
Variation comes from panel brand (Tier-1 N-type panels are ~£40–£80 each more than budget P-type), inverter type (hybrid inverters cost £400–£800 more than string), scaffolding complexity, panel-level optimisers, electrical upgrades, and whether DNO/MCS fees are itemised.
03.Is a battery worth the cost?
For homes that use less than 30% of their generation directly, a 5–10kWh battery typically pays back in 7–10 years and increases self-consumption to 65–75%. With a smart tariff like Octopus Flux, payback can fall to 5–7 years.
04.What's the cheapest legitimate quote?
In 2026, a fully-MCS-certified 4kWp install with Tier-1 panels and 5-year inverter warranty should not cost below £5,500. Quotes lower than this typically omit scaffolding, DNO notification or certification.