16 guides
Home solar
Beyond plug-in kits, this section covers complete home solar systems: rooftop arrays, systems with batteries and off-grid setups. The guides explain how to size a system from your own consumption, which permits and utility steps apply, what it costs and when a battery pays off. Every guide lists its sources and the date it was last checked.
Solar Pool Heating in the UK: How It Works and What It Costs
Solar pool heaters in the UK: collector types, sizing at half the pool area or more, what they add in a British summer, planning and costs in November 2026.
Solar Panel Cleaning and Servicing: How Often and What It Costs
UK rain keeps most roof panels clean. When cleaning pays, safe methods, what a solar panel service includes and typical prices in November 2026, from £70.
Solar Panel Sizes and Dimensions in the UK: mm, Weight and Roof Fit
Most UK roof panels in 2026 measure about 1,722 to 1,762 by 1,134 mm, weigh 21 kg and deliver 420 to 460 W. Sizes by cell format, roof fit and plug-in limits.
Solar Panel Kits UK: Plug-In, Off-Grid and Battery Kits Compared
Five kinds of solar panel kit are sold in the UK, from £270 off-grid sets to £11,000 installed packages. What each contains, costs and needs legally.
Portable Solar Panels: What They Can Power in the UK
A 220 W portable solar panel gives about 0.75 kWh on an average June day in the UK and under 0.25 kWh in December. Power stations, sizing and the rules.
Solar Installation in the UK: Process, Timeline and Cost
How a UK solar installation runs from survey to MCS certificate: planning, Building Regulations, G98 or G99, timeline in weeks and 2025/26 cost data.
Solar Energy Advantages and Disadvantages: The UK Numbers
Solar energy advantages and disadvantages in UK figures: 9 to 12 year payback, about 40 g CO2e per kWh, December output a sixth to a third of June.
Flexible Solar Panels UK: Types, Pros, Cons and Best Uses
Flexible solar panels weigh 2 to 4 kg per m² against about 11 for glass, but convert 13 to 18 % and carry 3 to 10 year warranties. Types, uses, prices, fixing.
How Much Electricity Does a Solar Panel Produce in the UK?
A 450 W solar panel produces about 380 to 470 kWh a year in the UK, roughly 1.3 kWh a day in London. Output by city, month, tilt and for a 4 kW system.
Garden Solar Panels: Ground-Mounted Rules, Costs and Yields
Ground-mounted garden solar panels are permitted development up to 9 m² of panels in Great Britain and 14 m² in Northern Ireland. Frames, cables, costs, yields.
Solar Panel Finance UK 2026: Loans, Grants, Leases and Your Rights
Solar panel finance in the UK: installer loans from 0 % to 9.9 % APR, Warm Homes loans of up to £15,000, grants by nation and your Section 75 rights.
Solar Chargers UK: What They Really Deliver in British Sun
A 30 W solar charger gives about 100 Wh on an average June day in the UK and about 20 Wh in December. Phone, USB-C and 12 V chargers compared with real data.
Small Solar Panels UK: Sizes, Uses and 12 V Systems from 5 to 200 W
Small solar panels of 5 to 200 W charge 12 V batteries for sheds, CCTV, fences and boats. Data-sheet sizes, UK yields from PVGIS, sizing and wiring rules.
Solar Panel Brackets and Mounts: UK Roof, Wall and Ground Systems
Solar panel brackets for UK homes: tile and slate hooks, in-roof trays, flat-roof ballast, wall and ground frames, MCS 012 wind ratings and 2026 prices.
Best Solar Panels UK 2026: How to Compare Panels on the Data Sheet
We do not test panels. How to compare UK solar panels in 2026: efficiency, temperature coefficient, TOPCon or back contact, warranty, MCS and price per watt.
Off-Grid Solar Power Systems in the UK: Sizing, Batteries and Rules
Off-grid solar in the UK must be sized for December, when panels give two-fifths or less of June output. PVGIS sizing, batteries, BS 7671 and costs.