How much do solar panels cost in 2026?

Last updated: 3 July 2026 · Written by the ECONEXIS team, MCS-accredited installers.

The honest answer is: it depends on your roof, your usage and the kit you choose. But you don't need a vague "from £X" headline — so here are real prices from our own recent quotes, followed by what actually moves the number up or down.

Real installed prices (from our recent quotes)

• Solar panels only, no battery — from £4,990 installed.
• 10 panels + 5 kWh battery — from £6,690 installed.
• 10 panels + 10 kWh battery — £7,990 installed.
• 12–14 panels + 11.5 kWh battery — around £8,300–£8,900.
• 14–17 panels + 23 kWh battery — around £10,300–£11,800.
• 15–20 panels + 17.5 kWh battery — around £13,400–£14,000.

Every price includes installation, scaffolding, MCS certification and the DNO application, at 0% VAT. Estimated first-year savings on these systems ranged from £1,100 to £2,100, with payback typically in 5–8 years. Your exact figure depends on your roof — every ECONEXIS system is custom-designed, and battery storage comes as standard in nearly all of them (why, and what batteries cost →).

What a solar & battery system is made of

Your price is built from a handful of things:

• The panels — how many, and which tier. We fit tier-1 panels as standard (LONGi Hi-Mo 480W), so you're not paying for budget hardware you'll regret.
• The inverter — converts solar into usable electricity; sized to your system.
• Battery storage (optional) — stores daytime solar to use after dark. It adds cost but typically pays back through far higher self-use.
• Installation & certification — scaffolding, the MCS-accredited install, your DNO application and all the paperwork.

The biggest factors that change the price

• System size — more panels generate more, but cost more. We size to your actual usage so you don't overspend.
• Battery or not — the single biggest add-on, and the biggest lever on your bill savings.
• Roof complexity — multiple roof faces, height and access affect scaffolding and labour.
• Quality of installer — a cheap, rushed install can cost far more later. MCS accreditation, a real warranty and an insurance-backed guarantee matter.

Don't forget: 0% VAT until 2027

0% VAT on solar & battery until March 2027 — that's a genuine saving on the whole system right now (seeHMRC's VAT guidance), and it won't last forever. It's one reason 2026 is a strong year to install.

Finance: you don't have to pay it all upfront

Many homeowners spread the cost with low-rate finance and effectively pay monthly from their bill savings, rather than a single lump sum. We'll show you the monthly options alongside the cash price so you can compare. See how finance works →

What about payback?

"Payback" is how long until your savings (plus money earned from exporting spare solar) equal what you paid. It depends on your bill, your usage pattern and whether you add a battery. Rather than quote a one-size figure, we model your payback at your free survey using your real numbers — and you can get paid for the solar you export through the Smart Export Guarantee.

Why a custom design beats a headline price

A "solar panels from £X" advert tells you almost nothing about your home. We give you a free, custom design for your exact address — usually back within 24 hours — with the system size, the kit, the price and the finance options laid out clearly, with no pressure and no obligation. A company owner is on site for every install across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex & Kent.

What's included in our prices (that cheap quotes bolt on later)

A suspiciously low headline price usually means the essentials arrive later as "extras". Every price above includes the whole job: scaffolding, the MCS-accredited installation, electrical certification, the Building Regs notification, the DNO application, commissioning, your monitoring app set up, and a proper handover pack — at 0% VAT. If a quote you're comparing doesn't itemise those, ask where they went.

Five questions to ask about any solar quote

• Is the installer MCS-accredited in their own right (not borrowing someone else's number)?
• Are scaffolding, DNO and certification included in the price?
• What are the warranties — panels, inverter, battery, and the workmanship itself?
• Is the savings estimate based on your actual roof and usage, or a national average?
• Who do you call in year three if something needs attention — and will they answer?

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