Solar panel prices dropped over 50% since early 2011 according to CompareMySolar research. A 4kWp system (16 solar panels) that used to cost £15.000 is currently available from £6.500. On a South-facing roof in these panels will pay back about £1.200 per year, which is a return of 19%. Solar panels provide an especially great return before the Feed-in-Tariff subsidy cuts this August. Enter your postcode now to select your roof and compare solar panel prices from local installers.

Solar Panel Price Index: from £15.000 towards £6.500

Our price index for solar panels (incl. VAT and installation) is currently 55% lower than early 2011. A 4kWp system (16 panels of 250 Wp, yearly production +/- 4000 kWh ) used to cost £15.000 early 2011. Early this year it was £8.500 and currently prices start at £6.500.

Our expectation is that prices will rise towards £7.000 due to increased consumer demand as we get closer to the Feed-in-tariff cut-off date this August. The index graph shows the average price of the top 10 quotes for each month, based on over 2000 quotes requested through our website. CompareMySolar utilizes their network of 150+ UK solar installers to always compare the best prices for solar panels.

Year One Return: Excellent ROI before August FiT cuts

On a South-facing roof in e.g. Exeter a 4kWp system will produce around 4.000 kWh per year. Utilizing the 21 pence Feed-in-Tariff and a 15 pence Electricity rate this will provide a year one return of around £1.200. This is a return of 19% on the best available purchase price, as shown in the second graph.

We expect the return to drop significantly after the Feed-in-Tariff subsidy cuts this August. Payback time is currently around 6-7 years which is less than one third of the lifetime of your solar panels. Another way to look at this is that you buy electricity now for the next 25 years for only one third of the price! Solar panels can currently compete very well your utility company, so enter you postcode now.