There is no single price for solar
The first honest answer to "how much do solar panels cost?" is that it depends on your roof. Two houses on the same street in Exeter, Taunton or Torquay can be quoted very different figures for very good reasons: pitch, orientation, shading, roof covering, access for scaffolding and the state of the existing electrics all change the work involved.
Systems we help homeowners compare typically start from £6,995, and rise from there with array size, equipment specification and battery storage. Anyone who gives you a firm price before looking at your roof is quoting a product, not a solution.
Our role is to assess the home first, then set comparable proposals side by side so the differences between them are visible. You pay us nothing. The installer you choose pays a fixed fee, and every installer pays exactly the same, so there is no financial reason for us to steer you anywhere.
Typical system sizes and what they suit
Sizing is driven by how much electricity you use and how much usable roof you have, not by how many panels will physically fit.
Indicative only. Your figure comes from a survey of your own roof and the quotes returned for it.
What moves the price up or down
Roof pitch, orientation and shading
A south-facing, unshaded roof at a good pitch generates more per panel, so it takes fewer panels to reach the same output. East-west roofs still work well, but the array is usually larger for the same annual generation.
Roof covering and access
Slate, clay pantiles and older Devon and Somerset roofs can take longer to work on than modern concrete tiles. Scaffolding requirements, restricted lane access and awkward elevations all show up in the price.
Equipment specification
Panel efficiency, inverter type, whether optimisers or microinverters are needed for shading, and the warranty terms behind them all move the figure. Two quotes for the same kWp can differ substantially for good reasons.
Electrical work
Consumer unit upgrades, cable runs from roof to inverter, and the position of the meter can add cost, particularly in older or extended properties.
Battery storage
A battery is a separate decision with its own payback. It is not automatically worth adding, and we say so when the numbers do not support it.
Scaffolding and listed or protected properties
Conservation areas, listed buildings and thatch-adjacent properties bring extra requirements that must be priced honestly rather than discovered later.
How payback is actually calculated
Payback is simply the installed cost divided by the annual financial benefit. The benefit comes from two places: electricity you no longer buy, and electricity you export and get paid for. The first is worth considerably more than the second, which is why how and when you use electricity matters as much as how much your roof generates.
A credible calculation needs all of the following:
- How much electricity you use each year, and when you use it
- The unit rate and standing charge on your current tariff
- How much of the generation you actually use in the home rather than export
- What your supplier pays for exported electricity under the Smart Export Guarantee
- The realistic annual generation of your roof, not a national average
- The installed cost of the system you are actually being quoted for
If a salesperson quotes you a payback figure without asking for your annual kWh usage and your current tariff, the number is decoration. We build the estimate from your own consumption data and the actual quotes in front of you, and we show you the working.
Does the South West get enough sun?
Yes. Devon, Somerset and south-east Cornwall sit among the sunnier parts of the UK for annual solar irradiance, and panels generate in diffuse daylight as well as direct sun. Coastal and moorland properties bring their own considerations, such as exposure and shading from mature trees, which is exactly what a proper survey is for.
What to check on every quote
- The system size in kWp and the exact panel and inverter models
- The estimated annual generation, and how it was calculated
- Whether scaffolding, electrical upgrades and making good are included
- Product, inverter and workmanship warranty lengths, and who honours them
- MCS certification and the insurance-backed warranty behind the installation
- What happens if the actual output falls short of the estimate
See the accreditations we require of every installer and how our approach differs from comparison sites and lead generators.
Frequently asked questions
How much do solar panels cost in Devon and Somerset?
Prices depend on roof size, roof covering, access, equipment and whether battery storage is included. Systems we help homeowners compare typically start from around £6,995, with larger arrays and battery systems costing more. We only quote against your actual roof rather than a national average.
What is a realistic payback period for solar in the South West?
Payback depends on your electricity use, tariff, how much generation you use in the home and the installed cost. Rather than quoting a single number, we model it against your own consumption and the quotes in front of you, and we tell you if the figures do not stack up.
Does the South West get enough sun for solar to be worthwhile?
Devon, Somerset and south-east Cornwall receive some of the highest annual solar irradiance in the UK. Cloud cover reduces output on individual days, but panels generate in diffuse light and annual totals in the South West compare favourably with most of the country.
Will a battery shorten my payback?
Sometimes. A battery increases how much of your own generation you use and can take advantage of cheaper overnight rates, but it also increases the upfront cost. Whether it shortens or lengthens payback depends on your usage pattern and tariff.
Are there grants available in Devon and Somerset?
Eligibility for support schemes changes over time and depends on your circumstances and property. We talk you through what is currently available and whether you are likely to qualify before you commit to anything.
How do I know a quote is fair?
Compare like for like: kWp, panel and inverter model, warranty terms, scaffolding, electrical work, and what happens after installation. We set comparable proposals side by side and explain the differences in plain English.