Solar Energy UK at a Glance
The UK now has over 17 GW of installed solar capacity, generating enough electricity to power around 5 million homes. Residential solar accounts for more than half of that — over 1.3 million UK homes have panels fitted, a figure that has grown by around 40% since 2021.
Solar PV is now the UK's second-largest source of renewable electricity after wind, and on sunny summer days regularly exceeds 10% of national generation. The government's target of 70 GW of solar by 2035 means installations are set to accelerate further across the next decade.
For context: a typical 4kW home system in southern England generates around 3,400 kWh per year — enough to cover 50–70% of average household electricity use before battery storage.
Why Choose British Solar Panels: Clean Energy and Energy Independence
Every kWh your solar panels generate is a kWh you don't buy from an energy supplier at 24.5p. Over 25 years, that adds up to a substantial reduction in your exposure to grid electricity prices, which have roughly doubled since 2019 and show no sustained downward trend.
Energy independence matters at a household level in a way that wasn't obvious five years ago. Fixed electricity costs, predictable generation, and no reliance on wholesale gas markets insulate you from the price spikes that have driven energy bills to record levels. Solar installations give homeowners a degree of control over their electricity costs that no energy tariff can match.
Working with UK-based solar panel installers also means warranties are backed by companies subject to UK consumer law, support is accessible, and any warranty claim doesn't require dealing with an overseas manufacturer directly. MCS-certified UK installers carry professional indemnity insurance and are accountable through HIES or RECC membership schemes, which provide deposit protection and independent dispute resolution.
How Rooftop Solar Works
A rooftop solar system has four main components. Solar PV panels on your roof convert sunlight into DC electricity. An inverter converts that DC electricity to AC, which your home can use. A consumer unit distributes the electricity around the property. A generation meter records what you produce; an export meter (or smart meter) records what you send back to the grid.
Basic generation flow:
Sunlight hits panels → DC electricity generated → Inverter converts to AC → Powers your home → Surplus exports to grid (or charges battery)
The system works automatically. There are no moving parts in the panels or inverter, and no action required from you day to day.
Before installation, a surveyor checks roof orientation, pitch, condition, shading from trees or neighbouring buildings, structural integrity, consumer unit capacity, and whether planning permission applies. Most standard UK homes clear all of these without issue. The survey takes around an hour and is included in any reputable installer's quote.
Plug-In Solar Panels
Plug-in solar panels are small, portable units — typically 400–800W — that connect directly to a standard household socket. Unlike rooftop solar PV systems, they don't require professional installation, roof mounting, or grid registration.
The trade-off is output. A plug-in panel generates a fraction of what a fixed rooftop system produces — around 300–600 kWh per year for a typical 600W unit versus 3,400 kWh for a 4kW rooftop installation. They suit renters who can't modify the property, homeowners who want a low-cost entry point before committing to a full system, and second homes or outbuildings where full installation isn't practical.
Note: the regulatory position on plug-in solar panels in the UK is still evolving. Check current guidance from your Distribution Network Operator before connecting.
Saving Money: Cut Energy Bills and Lower Electricity Costs
Solar panels cut your electricity bill by reducing how much you buy from the grid. Every unit you generate and use yourself saves you the full retail rate — currently 24.5p/kWh.
Annual savings for typical UK homes:
| Home | System | Annual generation | Self-consumed | Annual saving |
| 1–2 bed flat | 2kW | ~1,700 kWh | ~900 kWh | ~£220 |
| 3 bed semi | 4kW | ~3,400 kWh | ~1,700 kWh | ~£420 |
| 4 bed detached | 6kW | ~5,100 kWh | ~2,300 kWh | ~£560 |
| 4 bed + EV | 6kW + battery | ~5,100 kWh | ~3,500 kWh | ~£860 |
| System | Installed cost | Annual benefit | Payback |
| 4kW solar only | £6,500 | ~£550 | 11–12 years |
| 4kW + 5kWh battery | £10,000 | ~£750 | 13–14 years |
| 4kW + heat pump | £14,000 (after BUS grant) | ~£1,100 | 12–13 years |
| Before solar | After solar | |
| Annual electricity from grid | ~4,200 kWh | ~2,500 kWh |
| Annual electricity bill | ~£1,030 | ~£610 |
| SEG income | — | ~£120 |
| Net annual cost | ~£1,030 | ~£490 |
Smart Export Guarantee Explained
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) pays you for every kWh your solar panels export to the grid. It replaced the old Feed-in Tariff scheme and has no end date or fixed rate — suppliers set their own rates and must offer at least one SEG tariff.
| Supplier | SEG rate (2026) | Type |
| Good Energy | 25p/kWh | Fixed |
| EDF | 24p/kWh | Fixed |
| Octopus Agile | Variable | Tracks wholesale |
| Ovo Energy | ~5p/kWh | Fixed |
| British Gas | ~4p/kWh | Fixed |
A typical 4kW system without battery storage exports around 1,700 kWh per year, earning £100–£250 depending on your tariff.
Battery Storage Options
A battery stores surplus solar generation for use later — in the evening, overnight, or during cloudy periods. Self-consumption rates rise from around 40–50% without a battery to 70–80% with one. On a 4kW system, that translates to an additional £200–£300 of annual savings at current electricity prices.
| Battery | Capacity | Warranty | Installed cost |
| Tesla Powerwall 3 | 13.5kWh | 10 years | ~£10,000 |
| GivEnergy All-in-One | 9.5kWh | 12 years | ~£6,500 |
| Enphase IQ Battery 5P | 5kWh (modular) | 15 years | ~£4,000 |
| SolarEdge Home Battery | 9.7kWh | 10 years | ~£6,000 |
View our battery storage service
CRG Direct: Instant Pricing, Transparent Quotes
CRG Direct's online pricing calculator gives you a realistic system estimate in minutes — no sales call required, no hidden costs added later.
Enter your address, roof details, and energy use, and you'll receive an instant price with a 12-page detailed report covering system size, projected generation, estimated annual savings, payback period, and SEG income. The report is specific to your property, not a generic template.
From there, you can book a free site survey and receive a final installation quote. CRG Direct has installed solar, heat pumps, and battery storage across Hampshire since 2017. Every quote is MCS-compliant and includes all components, installation, scaffolding, certification, and grid registration.
Get your instant solar estimate
Installation Process and Warranties
A standard residential solar installation takes one to two days for the physical work, with certification and grid registration completed in the days following. The steps run in sequence: site survey and system design; scaffolding; roof brackets and rails; panels fitted; DC cabling to the inverter; inverter connected to the consumer unit; metering installed; system commissioned and tested; MCS certificate issued; SEG registration completed.
| Component | Warranty | Replacement cost if needed |
| Panels | 25–30 year product + performance | Rarely needed within warranty |
| Inverter | 5–12 years (extendable) | £600–£1,500 |
| Battery | 10–15 years / ~4,000 cycles | £2,500–£6,500 |
| Mounting system | 10–20 years | Low |
| Workmanship | 2 years minimum (MCS) | Covered by installer |
Regional Support: Northern Ireland and UK Coverage
CRG Direct covers Hampshire and the wider southeast, with installer partnerships across England and Wales. For homeowners in Northern Ireland, solar installations follow the same principles but fall under different support schemes — the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP) and the Northern Ireland Single Electricity Market govern support and export arrangements rather than the GB-based SEG. Northern Ireland homeowners should confirm their installer holds the relevant Northern Ireland accreditations, as MCS is a GB-specific scheme.
For regional enquiries anywhere in the UK, contact CRG Direct directly and we'll direct you to the right installer in your area.
Installer and Distributor Partnerships
CRG Direct works with a network of MCS-certified installers across the UK and sources panels and equipment from established global manufacturers including Longi, JA Solar, GivEnergy, Tesla, and SolarEdge. For businesses interested in installer partnerships or distribution opportunities, contact us through the business enquiries route on our website.
Case Study: A Hampshire Home Before and After
A four-bedroom detached house in Winchester — two adults working from home — installed a 6kW solar system with a 9.5kWh GivEnergy battery in early 2025.
| Before solar | After solar | |
| Annual grid consumption | 6,200 kWh | 2,800 kWh |
| Annual electricity bill | ~£1,520 | ~£690 |
| SEG income | — | ~£160/year |
| Net annual saving | — | ~£990 |
| System cost | — | £14,500 installed |
| Payback period | — | ~14–15 years |
FAQ
Will solar panels cut my electricity bills? Yes, for any household that uses a meaningful portion of its electricity during daylight hours. The saving depends on how much you self-consume — typically 40–50% without storage, 70–80% with a battery. A battery closes the gap for households where both adults are out during the day.
Do solar panels work in UK winters? They generate year-round, including on overcast days. Output drops significantly from November to January — roughly 30–40% of summer generation — but doesn't stop. A 4kW system in Hampshire generates around 150–200 kWh in December compared to 500–600 kWh in June. Winter generation still offsets electricity costs; you draw more from the grid than in summer.
How long until payback? For a 4kW system without battery storage, 7–10 years at current electricity prices. With a battery, 10–13 years. High-energy households with EVs or heat pumps often see shorter payback on larger systems. Any future increase in electricity prices shortens these periods further.
Do I need planning permission? Most residential solar installations are permitted development. Listed buildings and some conservation areas require planning approval. Your installer confirms this during the survey.
What happens if I sell the house? The system stays with the property. Solar Energy UK research puts the average property value uplift at 1–2%. A strong EPC rating — solar typically moves a D-rated home to B or C — is increasingly valued by buyers and mortgage lenders.
Get Your British Solar Estimate
Use CRG Direct's instant pricing calculator to see what a system costs for your home, what it generates, and when it pays back — in minutes, with no sales call and no obligation.
For a more detailed assessment, book a free site survey. We'll model your roof, check for shading, confirm suitability, and provide a final fixed-price quote with the full 12-page system report.
Get an instant estimate | Contact us for a site survey
CRG Direct has installed solar, battery storage, and heat pumps across Hampshire since 2017. MCS Certified, HIES Accredited. We respond within one working day.