How much could solar panels save you in 2026?
Tell us about your home and we will estimate your system size, annual savings, payback period and CO2 reduction. We will also flag whether your region runs the Warm Homes: Local Grant.
Your home
System size
4 kW
3,800 kWh / year
Annual savings
£752
vs current £1,500 bill
Payback period
9.6 yrs
Est. install £7,200
CO2 saved / year
787 kg
Approx 0.207 kg CO2 per kWh
Likely qualifying region for Warm Homes: Local Grant
Your region runs the Warm Homes: Local Grant. Eligibility also depends on EPC rating, household income or qualifying benefits and your specific council area.
Indicative figures only. Real savings depend on roof angle, shading, energy use patterns, your tariff and the installer's system design. Calculation reference: bdd82bbe
How we estimate
We use UK-typical generation per kWp (south 950, east-west 800, north 600 kWh / kWp / year), an electricity rate of £0.27 per kWh, an SEG export rate of £0.15 per kWh and an assumed self-consumption of 40%. Roof capacity is capped by typical home size.
Solar panel savings and grants: FAQs
What solar panel grants are available in the UK in 2026?
The main UK routes in 2026 are the ECO4 scheme (insulation and heating support, with solar PV available through some providers), the Warm Homes: Local Grant for lower-income households in eligible English council areas, the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan, and Nest in Wales. Some local authorities also run targeted solar pilots. Eligibility usually depends on income, benefits, EPC rating and your council area, not just the property itself.
How much do solar panels save on bills in the UK?
A typical 4 kW system on a south-facing UK roof generates around 3,400 to 3,800 kWh a year. After self-consumption and a Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariff, most UK households save between £600 and £1,100 a year at current electricity prices. Savings are higher with a battery, electric heating, or daytime usage, and lower with east-west or north-facing roofs.
Are free solar panels really available from the government?
There is no universal "free solar panels" UK government scheme. Fully funded solar can be available through ECO4, the Warm Homes: Local Grant or council pilots, but only for households that meet strict eligibility rules (typically benefits, low income or an EPC rating of D-G). For most owner occupiers, solar is part-funded at best, and offers like 0% VAT and the Smart Export Guarantee help reduce the net cost.
How long does a solar panel system take to pay back in the UK?
In 2026, a typical UK solar PV system pays back in around 8 to 12 years, depending on roof direction, system size, electricity price and how much of the generation you use directly. South-facing roofs and households with daytime usage see the fastest payback. Most panels are warrantied for 25 years, so savings continue well beyond the payback period.
Do I qualify for the Warm Homes: Local Grant for solar?
The Warm Homes: Local Grant supports lower-income households in participating English council areas and can include solar PV alongside insulation and heating measures. You typically need to live in a property with an EPC rating of D-G, have a household income under the scheme threshold or receive qualifying benefits, and live in a participating local authority. Use our grant checker to see which schemes match your property and household.