Everything you need to know about going solar in the UK.
A step-by-step guide for UK homeowners thinking about solar panels. Work out whether solar is worth it, plan the right setup for your home, get quotes properly, and get paid for what you export back to the grid.
Where do you want to start 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 guides explain the key questions first — whether solar is worth it, what it costs, how payback works, and whether winter generation is a real issue.
Whether solar still stacks up at today’s energy prices, install costs and export rates — and the homes it suits best.
Worth it? →
Typical 2026 install prices in the UK by system size, plus the extras most quotes don’t include up front.
See prices →
How long it takes for the bill savings and export income to cover your install cost — and what changes that.
Run the numbers →
How much UK panels actually generate from October to March, and why it matters less to your annual bill than people think.
Winter facts →Plan the right setup
Once solar looks like a good fit, the next question is what kind of setup you actually need. Panels only, panels with a battery, panels and EV charging, or solar as part of a bigger home energy upgrade.
Why a battery often changes the maths on solar in the UK — with the leading 2026 picks for capacity, warranty and price.
Compare batteries →
How to design a solar setup that charges your EV from the sun — sizing, smart chargers and the export trade-off.
Solar + EV →
If you only have budget for one, which one cuts your bills the most? A side-by-side breakdown for typical UK homes.
Compare →Before 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.
The exact line items to compare across quotes — panels, inverter, scaffolding, DNO and warranty — so you’re comparing like for like.
Quote checklist →
What MCS actually covers, why it’s the line between a real install and an expensive mistake, and how to verify your installer is certified.
Why it matters →Get paid for exported electricity
If your panels export unused electricity back to the grid, the export tariff you pick can make a big difference. Compare SEG rates, Octopus export tariffs, and when smart export is worth the extra hassle.
How the leading SEG and smart export tariffs compare on rate, contract length and battery friendliness — updated for 2026.
See the rankings →Octopus Outgoing Fixed
A simple fixed export rate that suits most solar-only homes. Lock your rate for 12 months without juggling half-hourly prices.
Read guide → Smart tariffOctopus Agile Outgoing
Half-hourly export prices that follow the wholesale market. Worth it if you have a battery and can shift export to peak hours.
Read guide →Not sure where to start?
You don’t need to read everything to make a sensible decision about solar. Most homeowners only need one or two guides below before they’re ready to get quotes or sign up to an export tariff. Pick the line that sounds most like you.
All solar guides
Browse all our solar guides in one place.
