Solar panels are everywhere now on terraces, semis, and warehouses because more of us are realising the sun can quietly pull its weight. Even with Britain’s love affair with grey skies, solar panels still get the job done. Photovoltaic (PV) cells turn daylight into electricity you can use around the house or at work; on gloomy days, they’ll still tick over, which makes them a surprisingly dependable source of power. If you’re searching for solar panels uk, you’re in good company.
A quick milestone worth a mention: in May 2023 the UK’s first transmission-connected solar farm went live near Bristol. It’s set to generate over 73,000 MWh a year enough for more than 17,300 homes and to displace roughly 20,500 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
In the UK you’ll see two main flavours:
Solar PV (photovoltaic) panels make electricity. Each panel holds lots of tiny cells; light hits them, they produce direct current (DC), and an inverter turns that into alternating current (AC) for your sockets or for export to the grid.
Solar thermal panels don’t make electricity they heat water (or a heat-transfer fluid) directly.
Most homes and businesses go for PV to trim electricity bills; thermal suits properties with a strong hot-water demand.
Plenty of sensible reasons:
Lower bills. With a 4 kW system, you could save up to £1,200 a year on electricity*.
Cleaner energy. Solar is low-carbon, so you cut reliance on fossil fuels and shrink your footprint.
Get paid for exports. The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) pays you for surplus electricity sent back to the grid.
In step with national targets. The UK is aiming for up to 70 GW by 2035 enough to support around 20 million households so you’re very much on the right side of the trend.
Installers across the country. If you’re after a trusted, UK-wide solar company, the market’s mature and ready pop ‘solar panels near me’ or ‘Solar panels installation near me’ into a search and you’ll find accredited local options.
If you’re comparing solar panel cost uk, checking typical solar panels uk cost, or searching for the latest solar panels uk price, here’s a rough guide.
As a guide, the average London install (including professional fitting) sits at around £9,500. Across typical properties, you’re usually looking at £9,000–£12,000 for a PV system, depending on roof size, access, and the kit you choose. The savings build year on year, and the SEG can add a handy extra income stream.
Generate your own power and you buy less from your supplier. Over a typical 25-year lifespan, that adds up.
Solar produces clean electricity at the point of use. Pick a reputable installer and a tidy design to squeeze the most from your roof.
Solar can make your home more attractive to buyers. One study (Admiral Money, multiple UK cities) reported properties with solar gaining more than 25%* — your mileage will vary with area and market.
Panels are built to handle British weather and usually need little more than an occasional clean. Most will keep going for 25 years or more.
Make your own electricity and you’re less exposed to price spikes or supply hiccups.
Under the SEG, suppliers pay you for the electricity you don’t use and export — a simple way to improve overall returns.
Evergreen Power UK is a long-standing solar installer with competitive pricing and systems tailored to your home. We’re properly accredited — MCS, NAPIT, EPVS and HIES — and handle everything from the initial survey and design to installation and final handover. You’ll get clear advice to help your PV system perform as it should.
We’re big on renewables and offer options for different budgets, with flexible finance available. Beyond solar, we also install air conditioning and heating systems handy if you’re planning a broader efficiency upgrade.
Choose Evergreen Power UK for straightforward guidance, good workmanship and a smooth experience from start to finish.