Thousands of UK homeowners are already saving money and reducing their carbon footprint.
UK homeowners save an average of £400–£1,200 per year after switching to solar and battery storage. Lock in lower bills for 25+ years.
A typical 4 kWp system reduces CO₂ emissions by around 1,000 kg per year — equivalent to planting 45 trees.
Your personalised estimate is 100% free with no commitment. We simply match you with trusted, MCS-certified local installers.
Three simple steps to your personalised solar savings estimate.
Answer a few quick questions about your property and energy usage. Optionally upload your bill for AI-powered accuracy.
Our engine calculates your personalised solar + battery savings, recommended system size, and payback period instantly.
We connect you with vetted, MCS-certified local installers who will provide detailed quotes at no cost.
Real homeowners across the UK sharing their experience with Free Energy.
"The estimate took less than 2 minutes and was spot on. Our installer quoted within the range and we had panels fitted within 3 weeks. Already seeing the savings on our bills."
Sarah M.
Bristol, BS1
£920/year
4 kWp solar + 9.5 kWh battery
"I was sceptical at first but the AI bill analysis was genuinely impressive — it pulled the exact figures from my PDF. The whole process was completely hassle-free."
James T.
Manchester, M14
£740/year
3.5 kWp solar + 9.5 kWh battery
"Really transparent process. No pushy sales calls — just a clean estimate and a matched installer who was professional throughout. Would absolutely recommend."
Priya K.
Surrey, KT1
£1,080/year
5 kWp solar + 9.5 kWh battery
"We'd been putting off going solar for years. This made it so easy to understand the numbers. The payback period was much shorter than we expected."
David & Carol H.
Leeds, LS6
£860/year
4 kWp solar + 9.5 kWh battery
Everything you need to know about solar and battery storage for UK homes.
In most cases, no. Solar panels on a residential roof in England, Scotland, and Wales are considered 'permitted development', meaning no planning permission is required as long as the panels do not protrude more than 200mm from the roof surface and the installation does not exceed the highest point of the roof. Exceptions apply to listed buildings, conservation areas, and some flats — your installer will confirm this during the survey.
A typical solar panel installation takes one to two days for a standard residential property. Adding a battery storage system usually adds half a day to a full day. From accepting a quote to having panels on your roof, most homeowners wait between two and six weeks, depending on installer availability and any grid connection requirements from your Distribution Network Operator (DNO).
Any surplus electricity your panels generate that you don't use immediately can be stored in your battery for use later — for example, in the evening. Once the battery is full, excess generation is automatically exported to the National Grid. Under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), your energy supplier is required to pay you for every unit you export, typically between 4p and 15p per kWh depending on your tariff.
A typical 4 kWp solar system costs between £6,000 and £9,000 installed. Adding a 9.5 kWh battery (such as a GivEnergy or Pylontech unit) adds approximately £3,500–£5,500. Combined systems therefore range from around £9,500 to £14,500 before any finance. VAT on residential solar installations is currently 0% in the UK until 2027. Finance options including 0% interest plans are available through most MCS-certified installers.
Most modern solar panels carry a 25-year performance warranty guaranteeing at least 80% of their original output after 25 years. In practice, panels often continue generating well beyond this. Inverters typically last 10–15 years and may need replacing once during the panel lifespan. Battery storage systems generally carry a 10-year warranty. Maintenance requirements are minimal — an annual visual inspection and occasional cleaning is usually sufficient.
South-facing roofs at a 30–40° pitch produce the most energy in the UK, but east- and west-facing roofs still generate around 80–85% of the optimal output and are well worth installing. North-facing roofs produce significantly less — typically 50–60% of a south-facing equivalent — and are generally not recommended unless the roof pitch is very shallow. Our estimate automatically adjusts your projected savings based on the roof direction you provide.
MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) is the UK industry standard for renewable energy installations. Using an MCS-certified installer is required to access the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments, to validate product warranties, and to ensure the installation meets safety and quality standards. All installers in our network are MCS-certified and carry full public liability insurance.
Solar panels are generally only suitable for homeowners, as they require structural modifications to the roof and a long payback period to be financially worthwhile. If you rent, you would need explicit written permission from your landlord, who would also need to agree to the terms of any SEG tariff. For flats, shared ownership of roof space and building regulations make installations more complex, though community solar schemes are an emerging alternative.