Enter your quote details to see if you’re getting a fair price
Your Quote Details
Enter the information from your solar quote
Total capacity in kWp
kWp
Full price including VAT
£
Quality tier of panels
Quality tier of inverter
Battery storage in quote
Prices vary by location
Roof complexity
Good Value
£1,750 per kWp
This quote is competitively priced for a quality system with these specifications.
Price Comparison
Great ValueAverageExpensive
£1,750/kWp
Under £1,500
£1,500 – £1,900
Over £1,900
£1,750
Your £/kWp
£1,600
UK Average £/kWp
-£600
Difference vs Avg
£5,500-£7,200
Expected Range
Typical Cost Breakdown
What This Means
Questions to Ask Your Installer
Disclaimer: Prices are estimates based on UK market averages (2024/2025). Actual costs vary by installer, specific equipment, and site conditions. Always get 3+ quotes and verify MCS certification. The cheapest quote isn’t always the best — quality of installation matters.
How to Use This Quote Checker
Enter the details from your solar panel quote including system size, total price, equipment brands, and whether a battery is included. The tool compares your quote against current UK market averages, accounting for equipment quality tiers, regional pricing differences, and installation complexity. You’ll receive a clear verdict on value, along with a typical cost breakdown and questions to ask your installer.
What Should Solar Panels Cost in 2026?
Solar panel prices vary significantly based on equipment quality, system size, and installation complexity. Here are the typical price ranges for fully installed systems in the UK:
Budget Systems
£1,200 – £1,600
per kWp installed
Unknown or lesser-known panel brands with basic inverters. Shorter warranties, lower efficiency. May be fine for budget-conscious buyers but check reliability.
Quality Systems
£1,400 – £1,850
per kWp installed
Established brands like JA Solar, Longi, Trina with quality inverters (Solis, GoodWe, Huawei). Good efficiency, solid warranties. Best value for most homeowners.
Premium Systems
£1,700 – £2,200
per kWp installed
Top-tier brands like SunPower, REC with premium inverters (SolarEdge, Enphase). Highest efficiency, 25+ year warranties, best long-term performance.
Example: 4kWp System Prices
£4,800 – £6,400
Budget tier
£5,600 – £7,400
Quality tier
£6,800 – £8,800
Premium tier
Understanding Panel Brands
Premium Panel Brands
SunPower/Maxeon, REC, LG (discontinued but warranties valid), Panasonic
These offer 21-22%+ efficiency, 25-year product warranties, superior build quality, and industry-leading performance guarantees (typically 92% output at year 25). They cost 20-40% more but deliver more power per square metre and better reliability.
Quality Panel Brands
JA Solar, LONGi, Trina Solar, Canadian Solar, Jinko Solar, Q Cells
The workhorses of the industry — excellent value with 19-21% efficiency, solid 12-year product warranties and 25-year performance warranties. These manufacturers produce millions of panels annually and have strong track records. Most UK installations use panels from this tier.
Budget / Unknown Brands
If you don’t recognise the panel brand, proceed with caution. Unknown manufacturers may offer shorter warranties, inconsistent quality control, or may not exist in 10 years to honour warranty claims. Always ask for specific model names and research the manufacturer before accepting a budget quote.
What Affects Solar Quote Prices?
Location
London and the South East typically cost 10-15% more due to higher labour rates and logistics. Scotland, Wales, and the North of England are usually 5-10% cheaper. Urban areas with parking restrictions or access challenges may incur additional costs.
Roof Type & Access
Simple pitched roofs on bungalows are cheapest. Two-storey homes require scaffolding (£300-500). Complex roofs with multiple sections, dormers, or unusual tile types add labour time. Flat roofs need mounting frames to angle panels correctly (£200-400 extra).
Inverter Choice
String inverters are cheapest but all panels are affected if one underperforms. Optimisers (SolarEdge) add panel-level monitoring and work better with shading. Microinverters (Enphase) cost most but offer best per-panel performance, longest warranties, and easiest expansion.
Battery Storage
Adding battery storage significantly increases the quote. Small batteries (3-5 kWh) add £2,000-3,500. Medium batteries (6-10 kWh) add £4,000-6,000. Large batteries (11-15 kWh) add £6,000-8,000. Prices have dropped significantly in recent years.
Red Flags in Solar Quotes
High-Pressure Sales Tactics
“This price is only valid today” or “Sign now to secure your slot” are pressure tactics. Reputable installers give you time to decide. Walk away from anyone pushing for immediate commitment.
Vague Equipment Specifications
Your quote should list exact panel and inverter makes and models. “10 x 400W panels” isn’t enough — you need “10 x JA Solar JAM54S30-400/MR” or similar. Vague specs often mean cheap substitutions.
No MCS Certification
Without MCS certification, you won’t qualify for SEG payments (export income) and your installation may not meet regulations. Always verify the installer’s MCS number at mcscertified.com.
Unrealistic Generation Estimates
A 4kWp system in the UK typically generates 3,400-3,800 kWh/year. Claims above 1,000 kWh per kWp should be questioned. Inflated estimates make financial projections look better than reality.
Large Upfront Deposits
Reputable installers typically ask for 10-25% deposit. Demands for 50%+ upfront are a red flag. Use a credit card for deposits over £100 to get Section 75 protection if the company fails.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many quotes should I get?
We recommend at least 3 quotes from different MCS-certified installers. This gives you a sense of the market rate and lets you compare approaches. Some installers may recommend different system sizes or configurations — getting multiple perspectives helps you make an informed decision.
Is the cheapest quote always the worst?
Not necessarily. Some installers are more efficient or have better supplier relationships. However, very cheap quotes often indicate budget equipment, rushed installation, or inadequate after-sales support. Compare like-for-like specifications and check installer reviews carefully.
What should be included in a complete quote?
A comprehensive quote should include: all equipment with specific models, scaffolding if needed, all electrical work including consumer unit upgrades, DNO notification, MCS certification, monitoring system, and clear warranty terms. VAT should be 0% for residential installations. Be wary of quotes with lots of “extras” that inflate the final price.
Can I negotiate on price?
Yes, especially if you have competing quotes. Many installers have flexibility on price, particularly if you can be flexible on timing. Rather than just pushing for a lower price, ask if they can match a competitor’s specification at your budget — this often gets better results than pure price negotiation.
What warranties should I expect?
Panels typically come with a 10-12 year product warranty and 25-year performance warranty (guaranteeing 80-85% output at year 25). Inverters usually have 5-12 year warranties — premium brands offer longer. The installer should provide a workmanship warranty of at least 2 years, ideally 5-10 years.
A fair price for a 4kWp solar system in 2026 is typically £5,500-£7,500 for quality equipment, or £6,500-£8,500 for premium brands. Add £4,000-£6,000 for a 10kWh battery. Always verify MCS certification, check installer reviews, and get multiple quotes before committing. Remember: the cheapest quote isn’t always the best value — quality of equipment and installation matters for long-term performance and reliability. For general pricing see our solar panel costs guide.
