Thinking about solar panels? You’re in the right place.
Learn what solar panels cost, how much you could save, what size system might suit your home, and how to compare installers, batteries and export tariffs.
Where are you with solar?
Going solar is a journey, from working out whether it’s worth it to getting paid for what you export. Jump to the stage that fits where you are.
Start with the basics
New to solar? These explain the key questions first — whether it’s worth it, what it costs, how payback works, and whether winter generation is a real issue.
Are solar panels worth it in the UK?
Whether solar still stacks up at today’s energy prices, install costs and export rates — and the homes it suits best.
Worth it?How much do solar panels cost?
Typical 2026 install prices in the UK by system size, plus the extras most quotes don’t include up front.
See pricesSolar panel payback period
How long it takes for bill savings and export income to cover your install cost — and what changes that.
Run the numbersDo solar panels work in winter?
How much UK panels actually generate from October to March, and why it matters less to your annual bill than people think.
Winter factsPlan the right setup for your home
Once solar looks like a good fit, the next question is what kind of setup you actually need — panels only, panels with a battery, or panels and EV charging.
Best home batteries for solar UK
Why a battery often changes the maths on solar in the UK — with the leading 2026 picks for capacity, warranty and price.
Compare batteriesSolar panels and EV charging
How to design a solar setup that charges your EV from the sun — sizing, smart chargers and the export trade-off.
Solar + EVSolar panels vs heat pumps
If you only have budget for one, which cuts your bills the most? A side-by-side breakdown for typical UK homes.
CompareBefore you accept a quote
Before signing anything, make sure you understand certification, installer quality and what you could lose if your system isn’t installed to the right standard.
How to compare solar quotes
The exact line items to compare — panels, inverter, scaffolding, DNO and warranty — so you’re comparing like for like.
Quote checklistMCS certification for solar
What MCS actually covers, why it’s the line between a real install and an expensive mistake, and how to verify your installer.
Why it mattersGet paid for what you export
If your panels export unused electricity back to the grid, the export tariff you pick makes a real difference. Compare SEG rates and the Octopus export tariffs.
Best solar export tariff UK 2026
How the leading SEG and smart export tariffs compare on rate, contract length and battery friendliness — updated for 2026.
See the rankingsOutgoing Octopus 12p
A flat 12p export rate throughout the day. The simple option for solar-only homes that don’t need time-of-use pricing.
Read guideAgile Outgoing
Half-hourly export prices that follow the wholesale market. Worth it with a battery to shift export to peak hours.
Read guideIntelligent Octopus Flux
A fully automated import-and-export tariff for solar-and-battery homes — Octopus charges and discharges your battery to maximise what you earn.
Read guideAll solar guides
Guides and explainers covering every stage of going solar — from working out whether it’s worth it to choosing an export tariff.
