Installing solar panels is one of the most effective ways to lower your electricity bills, reduce your carbon footprint and make your home less dependent on the grid.
Even better, if your system generates more electricity than you use, you may be able to sell that excess energy back to the grid through an export tariff.
But if you want to put solar panels on your roof, where do you actually start?
This guide walks you through the solar panel installation process from start to finish, including how to decide whether solar panels are right for your home, how to find a qualified installer, what happens on installation day and what to do once your system is up and running.
PS We offer MCS-certified solar panel installation nationwide. Simply answer these questions, get your fixed price and arrange your free design.
News: how could the Warm Homes Plan affect solar panels?
The UK Government’s Warm Homes Plan is designed to improve the country’s homes, cut energy bills and support the rollout of cleaner home energy technologies.
As part of the plan, low-income households may be able to access grant-funded home energy upgrades, including solar panels where eligible. Homeowners are also expected to be able to access low or zero-interest loans for improvements such as solar panels, batteries and clean heating.
The exact details, eligibility rules and delivery routes will depend on the scheme and where you live, so we’ll update this guide as more information becomes available.
[1] Decide if solar panels are right for your home
The good news is that solar panels are suitable for many UK homes. They work in daylight, not just direct sunshine, so they can still generate electricity on cloudy days.
That said, some homes are better suited to solar than others.
Before installing solar panels, the main things to check are:
Which direction your roof faces
How much shading your roof gets
How much usable roof space you have
Your current electricity usage
Whether you use more power during the day or evening
Whether battery storage makes sense
Whether your roof is in good condition
Whether planning restrictions apply
Which direction should solar panels face?
Solar panels usually generate the most electricity when they face south, because they receive the most sunlight across the day.
But that does not mean solar is only worthwhile on a south-facing roof.
East-facing panels can perform well in the morning. West-facing panels can perform well in the afternoon and early evening.
If your household uses more electricity during those times, east or west-facing panels can still be a strong option.
South-facing panels often produce the highest total output, but the best setup depends on how and when you use electricity.
North-facing roofs are usually less suitable because they receive much less direct sunlight. In most cases, we would not recommend installing solar panels on a mainly north-facing roof unless the design still produces a strong enough return.
How much shading does your roof get?
Shading can have a major impact on solar panel performance.
Common sources of shading include:
Trees
Chimneys
Dormer windows
Nearby buildings
Roof features
TV aerials or satellite dishes
A south-facing roof with heavy shade can perform worse than an east or west-facing roof with clear exposure. That’s why a proper solar design should assess shading throughout the day and across the year, not just glance at your roof and hope for the best.
If shading is unavoidable, your installer may recommend microinverters or power optimisers. These allow panels to work more independently, so one shaded panel is less likely to drag down the performance of the whole system.
If trees are the issue and trimming them is possible, your installer may suggest that too.
How many solar panels can you fit?
The number of solar panels you can install depends on your available roof space, roof shape and the size of the panels.
As a rough guide:
Mid-terrace house: around 4 panels
End-terrace or semi-detached house: around 8 panels
Small detached house: around 12 panels
Large detached house: around 16 panels or more
This is only a broad estimate. Some compact roofs can fit more panels than expected, while some large roofs have awkward sections, shading or obstructions that reduce the usable space.
Heatable’s solar quote tool can measure your roof and recommend a system size based on your home and electricity usage.
Explore a Solar Case Study ☀️
Check out an insightful Q&A session featured in one of our detailed case studies on domestic solar panels. Hear directly from a Heatable customer in the UK and gain valuable perspectives on their experience here.
The image above shows a 23-panel solar installation, carried out by the MCS-certified solar team at Heatable, featuring the REA Fusion2 solar panels.
[2] Check your options for funding or finance
Solar panels are a long-term home energy investment, but the upfront cost can be significant.
There are currently no universal dedicated UK government grants for solar panels available to every homeowner. However, support may be available through specific schemes depending on your income, location, property type and eligibility.
Funding or finance options may include:
Warm Homes Plan support, where eligible
Local authority schemes
Energy supplier schemes
Finance through solar installers
Green loans or home improvement finance
Solar panel subscription-style products
0% VAT on eligible domestic solar installations
If you are considering finance, check the total repayable amount, interest rate, term length, ownership terms and what happens if you move home.
Solar finance can make sense, but only if the numbers work for your household. Do not judge it purely on the monthly payment.
Related: Solar panel grants and funding in the UK
[3] Find a solar panel installer
We strongly recommend choosing an MCS-certified solar panel installer.
MCS certification is important because it shows the installer works to recognised standards for low-carbon technology installations. It may also be required if you want to access export payments through the Smart Export Guarantee.
When comparing solar panel installers, ask:
Are you MCS certified?
Are you a member of a consumer protection scheme?
What panels, inverters and batteries do you install?
What warranties are included?
Is scaffolding included in the quote?
Is DNO paperwork included?
How are savings estimated?
What assumptions are used in the payback calculation?
How do you account for shading?
Do you use string inverters, microinverters or optimisers?
Is bird protection included or optional?
What post-installation support is provided?
It is sensible to compare more than one quote, but do not just choose the cheapest. With solar, poor design can cost you more over the lifetime of the system than a slightly higher upfront price.
[4] Design and planning
Before installation, your installer should assess your roof and design a system around your property.
This may include:
Roof measurements
Panel layout
Expected annual generation
Shading analysis
Inverter choice
Battery sizing
Export assumptions
Electrical checks
Scaffolding requirements
DNO requirements
This is also when you should ask about your expected self-consumption.
Put simply: how much of the electricity your panels generate are you likely to use yourself, and how much will be exported?
That matters because using your own solar electricity is usually worth more than exporting it.
If your home is empty most of the day, a battery may help you use more of what your panels generate.
Do you need planning permission for solar panels?
Most roof-mounted domestic solar panel installations in the UK fall under permitted development rights, so you usually do not need planning permission.
However, you may need extra checks or permission if your property is:
A listed building
In a conservation area
In a national park or protected landscape
A flat-roof installation
Using a ground-mounted solar array
Subject to local planning restrictions
Solar panels should also be installed in a way that minimises their impact on the appearance of the building and surrounding area.
If you are unsure, check with your local planning authority before proceeding.
What is a DNO application?
Your Distribution Network Operator, or DNO, manages the local electricity network.
When you install solar panels, the DNO may need to be notified or asked for approval, depending on the size and type of system. This helps make sure the local grid can safely handle any electricity exported from your home.
With Heatable, we handle the DNO paperwork as part of your installation.
[5] Installing the solar panel system
Once the design is agreed and the paperwork is in place, installation can begin.
Most domestic solar panel installations take around 1–2 days, although larger or more complex systems can take longer.
A typical installation includes:
Putting up scaffolding
Fixing mounting brackets to the roof
Installing rails
Mounting the solar panels
Connecting the inverter or microinverters
Installing battery storage, if selected
Installing any PV diverter, if selected
Connecting the system to your home’s electrical setup
Testing and commissioning the system
Scaffolding is often installed before the main installation day and removed afterwards.
How much disruption does solar panel installation cause?
Usually, not much.
Once scaffolding is up, the installation itself is normally straightforward. The installer may need to turn off your electricity briefly while the system is connected, but this should be planned and communicated in advance.
Most of the visible work happens outside on the roof. Inside, the installer will need access to your loft, consumer unit, meter area, inverter location and battery location if you are having one installed.
Can you install solar panels yourself?
We do not recommend installing solar panels yourself.
Even if you are legally allowed to fit panels to your own roof, a solar PV system still needs to be connected safely to your home’s electrical system. That work should be carried out by a qualified electrician.
There is also a practical issue: if you want to access export payments, you will usually need an MCS-certified installation or equivalent certification.
DIY solar might look cheaper upfront, but it can create problems with safety, certification, warranties, insurance and export tariff eligibility.
For most homeowners, using a qualified MCS-certified installer is the sensible route.
📍 Check out one of the largest Solar Panel Case Studies Heatable has conducted to date:
Related reading:
[6] Post-installation support
After your panels are installed, your installer should test the system and show you how everything works.
You should be given:
System handover documents
Warranty information
MCS certificate, where applicable
Electrical certification
DNO documentation
Monitoring app setup
Inverter and battery instructions
Contact details for support
You should also be shown how to check whether your solar panels are generating electricity and how to spot obvious issues.
With a modern solar system, you’ll usually be able to monitor performance through an app. This lets you see how much electricity your panels are generating, how much you are using, how much is going to the battery and how much is being exported.
What if you move into a house that already has solar panels?
Solar panels are becoming more common, so more buyers are moving into homes that already have a solar PV system installed.
If you are buying a house with solar panels, check:
Who owns the panels
Whether there is a lease or finance agreement
Whether the system is MCS certified
What warranties remain
Whether there is battery storage
Which export tariff is currently used
Whether monitoring access can be transferred
Whether the inverter has ever been replaced
Related: Buying a house with solar panels
[7] Register for solar-friendly energy tariffs
Once your solar panel system is installed, it is worth comparing export tariffs.
An export tariff pays you for unused electricity that your panels send back to the grid. Without an export tariff, your excess electricity may still go to the grid, but you may not be paid for it.
In Great Britain, the Smart Export Guarantee requires many electricity suppliers to offer export tariffs for eligible small-scale renewable systems. To sign up, you will usually need a smart meter and proof that your installation is certified.
You do not necessarily have to use the same supplier for your import tariff and export tariff. Some suppliers offer better rates if you bundle both, but it is worth comparing your options.
Some suppliers also offer solar-specific tariffs, especially for homes with battery storage. These may combine export payments with time-of-use import rates, allowing you to charge your battery when electricity is cheaper and use it when prices are higher.
What are solar panels?
Solar panels, also known as solar PV panels, capture energy from daylight and convert it into electricity for your home.
They generate direct current electricity, which is then converted into alternating current electricity by an inverter.
This electricity can be used to power your lights, appliances, EV charger, heat pump, air conditioning, home office equipment and everyday household devices.
Any electricity you do not use immediately can be stored in a battery or exported to the grid.
What are the main types of solar panels?
There are three main types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film.
Monocrystalline solar panels
Monocrystalline panels are the most common choice for modern domestic solar panel installations.
They are made from single-crystal silicon and usually offer higher efficiency than older polycrystalline panels. This means they can generate more electricity from the same roof space.
For most UK homes, high-quality monocrystalline panels are the best option.
Polycrystalline solar panels
Polycrystalline panels are made from multiple silicon fragments melted together.
They used to be popular as a cheaper option, but they are now less common for domestic installations because monocrystalline panels have become more efficient and widely available.
Thin-film solar panels
Thin-film panels are lightweight and flexible, but they are usually less efficient than crystalline panels.
They can be useful for some specialist or commercial applications, but they are rarely the best choice for a standard UK home roof.
How much electricity do solar panels generate?
Solar panel output depends on:
Number of panels
Panel wattage
Roof direction
Roof pitch
Shading
Location
Weather
Time of year
Inverter type
System design
A typical 10-panel solar PV system may generate enough electricity to cover a substantial portion of an average home’s annual electricity usage, but actual output varies by property.
Generation is usually highest in spring and summer and lower in winter. That does not mean solar panels are useless in winter. It just means the system needs to be assessed across the year, not judged on one sunny afternoon in June.
What are the benefits of solar panel installation?
Solar panels can offer several benefits for UK homeowners.
Lower electricity bills
By generating your own electricity, you buy less from the grid. The more solar electricity you use at home, the more you can reduce your electricity bills.
Battery storage can increase this benefit by helping you use more solar power in the evening or overnight.
Lower carbon footprint
Solar panels generate clean electricity from daylight. They produce no direct emissions while generating electricity, helping reduce your home’s reliance on fossil-fuel-generated grid power.
Protection from energy price volatility
Solar panels will not make you immune to energy prices, but they can reduce your exposure to them.
If you generate more of your own electricity, you are less dependent on whatever the energy market decides to do next.
Export income
If your panels generate more electricity than you use, you may be able to sell the excess through an export tariff.
Export payments should not be the only reason you install solar, but they can improve the overall return.
Low maintenance
Solar panels are generally low maintenance. With quality equipment and proper installation, they can keep generating electricity for decades.
Occasional inspections, monitoring and cleaning may be useful, especially if your panels are affected by dirt, bird mess, nearby trees or unusual shading.
How much do solar panels cost?
Solar panel costs depend on:
System size
Panel quality
Inverter choice
Battery storage
Roof complexity
Scaffolding
Electrical work
Bird protection
Warranty package
Installer quality
A basic solar-only system will cost less than a solar and battery system, but it may also deliver lower self-consumption.
The cheapest system is not always the best-value system. A higher-quality design may produce more electricity, perform better in partial shade, offer better monitoring and give stronger long-term savings.
How much does installation cost?
Most homeowners buy solar panels as a complete installed package rather than buying panels separately and arranging installation themselves.
That package may include:
Panels
Inverter or microinverters
Mounting kit
Battery storage, if selected
Electrical installation
Scaffolding
DNO paperwork
Certification
Monitoring
Warranties
Installation labour, scaffolding and electrical work are a major part of the total cost, but they are also where quality matters. A solar panel system is a long-term investment, not a flat-pack wardrobe.
How much can you save with solar panels?
Your savings will depend on:
How much electricity you use
When you use electricity
Your system size
Whether you have battery storage
Your electricity import rate
Your export tariff
How much energy you use directly
Roof orientation and shading
Future energy prices
A well-designed solar and battery system can significantly reduce grid dependence, but beware of universal saving claims. The only meaningful estimate is one based on your roof, your usage and your tariff assumptions.
Heatable’s solar design process estimates expected generation and potential savings based on your property.
How long does it take to pay back solar panels?
Solar payback is usually calculated by comparing the upfront cost of the system against the annual savings and export income.
For example:
If a solar and battery installation costs £12,000 and saves £1,500 per year, the simple payback period would be around eight years.
That is only an example. Your actual payback could be shorter or longer depending on your property, energy usage, system design and tariff.
It is also worth remembering that good-quality panels can keep generating electricity long after the payback period.
Are solar panels efficient in the UK?
Yes, solar panels can work well in the UK.
They generate electricity from daylight, not heat, so they can still work on cloudy days. Output is lower in poor light, but a well-designed system should account for seasonal variation.
The biggest performance factors are usually roof direction, shading, panel quality, inverter setup and system design.
Microinverters or optimisers may help if your roof has shading or multiple orientations, because they allow panels to perform more independently.
Should you get a solar battery?
Solar batteries are worth considering if you want to use more of your own solar electricity.
Without a battery, any excess electricity you generate during the day may be exported to the grid. With a battery, you can store some of that electricity and use it later.
A battery may be especially useful if:
You are out during the day
You use more electricity in the evening
You have an EV
You have a heat pump or air conditioning
You want to use smart tariffs
You want to reduce grid imports further
Battery storage is not automatically right for everyone, but it should be modelled properly as part of your quote.
Can solar panels charge an electric vehicle?
Yes, solar panels can help charge an electric vehicle.
How much of your EV charging can come from solar depends on your system size, EV usage, battery storage, charger setup and whether the car is at home during the day.
If your EV is usually away from home during peak solar generation, a battery or smart charging setup may be useful.
All solar systems installed by Heatable are suitable for EV charger integration.
Do solar panels need much maintenance?
Solar panels are relatively low maintenance.
You may need:
Occasional visual checks
Monitoring through your app
Periodic professional inspection
Cleaning if panels become dirty
Bird protection checks
Inverter or battery checks
Most panels are cleaned naturally by rain, but bird mess, tree debris, lichen or heavy dirt can reduce performance.
If your panels need cleaning, use a professional. Climbing onto a roof to save a few quid is not the kind of energy-saving advice we’d recommend.
Should you install bird protection?
Bird protection is often worth adding during installation, especially if pigeons are common in your area.
Birds can nest under panels, causing mess, noise and possible damage. Adding bird protection at installation is usually easier than retrofitting it later, because scaffolding and access are already in place.
Get set for solar with Heatable
Solar panel installation is not just about choosing panels. It is about designing the right system for your roof, usage, budget and long-term energy goals.
With Heatable, you get:
MCS-certified solar panel installation
Nationwide service
Fixed-price quotes
Free bespoke solar design
DNO paperwork handled
High-performance panel options
Battery storage options
EV charger compatibility
Which? Trusted Trader recognition
HIES consumer protection
Finance options, subject to status and lender approval
Thousands of customer reviews
Ready to see if solar panels are right for your home?
Use Heatable’s solar quote tool to draw your roof, get your fixed price and arrange your free design.
Get your best solar deal now, or find out more about how much energy solar panels produce.
Next Steps For Your Solar Journey:
When planning to install solar panels for your home, there are several important factors to consider. Make sure to refer to the following guides to help you make informed decisions:
To dive deeper into these topics, head over to our advice section, check out our YouTube channel for informative videos, or read a customer case study to see how others have benefited from their solar installation.
Get set for solar with Heatable
And that’s everything you need to know about solar! While we know it can be an expensive topic, we’re really just scratching the surface of what solar has to offer.
And, not to toot our own horn, here’s why you should get your solar panels installed with us:
Thousands of Happy Customers: We boast an average score of 4.9 on Trustpilot, outperforming the market leader.
Which? Trusted Trader: Heatable is proudly recognised as a Which? Trusted Trader.
MCS Accredited: Our accreditation by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) ensures high-quality standards.
Exclusive Panels: We offer REA Fusion solar panels, available only through Heatable.
Consumer Protection: As members of the HIES consumer code, we provide 2-year deposit protection.
Flexible Payment Options: Choose from multiple payment methods, including finance options.
Fixed Price Guarantee: Enjoy transparency with no hidden costs.
Save Your Quote: You can save your quote and decide later.
Bespoke Design Tool: Draw your own conclusion (literally) on whether solar is worth it for you, here.
