November 2026
Are Solar Panels Worth It? Savings and Payback
See what solar costs, what it saves, and how long it takes to pay back, using real figures from 316 So Energy solar quotes.
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For most homes with a suitable roof, yes. Here's what solar costs, what it saves, what you can earn, and how long it takes to pay back.
Solar panels turn daylight into electricity for your home. Whether they're worth it depends on your roof, how much energy you use, and how long you plan to stay.
To give you a real picture, we've looked at 316 homes that agreed a solar quote with us this year.
Is Solar Worth It? The Short Answer
For many homes, it is. Our 2026 solar customers expect to save an average of £738 on electricity bills in year one. They can also expect to earn £262 by selling spare energy back to the grid with our 20p per kWh Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) rate. That's around £1,000 in total.
A typical system pays for itself in around nine to 12 years, depending on where you live. Solar works best on a south, east, or west-facing roof with little shade. And the longer you live there, the longer you benefit.
What Our Solar Customers Expect to Save
Every solar quote we send shows the expected savings for that home. We've added up the figures from 316 quotes our customers signed in 2026.¹ Here's what the average home can expect.1
After the first year, the benefit stays at a similar level. In a typical year, homes expect around £981, made up of £720 in bill savings and £260 in export income.
These figures may be higher than some estimates you'll see online. That's because each one comes from a real quote. It's based on that home's roof, system size, energy use, and whether they added a battery. Your figures could be higher or lower.
What It Adds Up To
Together, these 316 homes expect to:
- save almost £316,000 in their first year
- cut around 327 tonnes of carbon every year
Want to see your own figures? Your quote shows your expected savings, export income, and payback period.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?
A typical home system is around 4.5 kilowatts at peak. That's the most power it can make in full sun. The Energy Saving Trust puts the cost of a system this size at around £7,600.²
Your price depends on:
- how many panels your roof can fit
- the shape of your roof and how easy it is to reach, including scaffolding
- whether you add a battery
- whether your home's wiring needs any upgrades
There's currently no VAT on solar panels or batteries.³ This 0% VAT rate is set to run until 31 March 2027.
You can pay for your system in full, or spread the cost. We offer 0% finance on selected products.
For a full breakdown, read our guide to the cost of solar panels in the UK, or see our solar payment options.
See Your Own Solar Figures
Should I Get a Smart Meter Installed In My Home?
Getting a smart installed in your home is both a free and smart move to make.
With a smart meter, you get real-time information about your energy usage, allowing you to make smarter choices and potentially save on your bills. Plus, it can help reduce the nation's carbon footprint and bring us closer to a greener future.
How Much Can You Earn From Exporting Energy?
On sunny days, your panels may make more electricity than you're using. The extra goes to the energy grid. Through the Smart Export Guarantee, your energy supplier pays you for every unit you send.
If we install your solar, you can get 20p for every kWh you export. If someone else installed your panels, our So Export Flex tariff pays 4.5p per kWh.⁴ You don't need to buy your energy from us to get either one.
To get export payments, you'll need:
- panels fitted by a certified installer
- a smart meter
If we install your solar, we'll fit a smart meter as part of your installation. You can ask your surveyor about SEG rates too.
What We Expect Your Solar to Do: A Worked Example
Here's how the average 2026 So Energy solar home adds up over its first year.
These are averages from signed quotes, not guarantees. Your figures depend on your roof, your system, and how much energy you use during the day.
Is Solar Worth It With a Battery?
A battery makes sense. Without a battery, you use solar energy as it's made, and anything you don't use goes to the grid. You can get paid for the energy you send to the grid through a Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
But, with a battery you can store your spare solar energy to use later. That means:
- you use more of the energy you make
- you buy less energy from the grid
- you're less affected when energy prices go up
A battery adds to the upfront cost, so it can change your payback period. Our quote will show your figures with and without one.
Read more about solar battery storage.
How Long Do Solar Panels Take to Pay for Themselves?
The payback period is how long it takes for your savings and export income to cover what you paid. The Energy Saving Trust estimates it for a typical system across Great Britain.2
Your payback period depends on:
- the size and cost of your system
- how much sun your roof gets
- how much energy you use during the day
- whether you have a battery
- the energy and export rates you're on
Solar panels can last 25 years or more, so most homes keep saving long after payback. Your solar quote shows your own payback period.
If you'd like a quick estimate first, try the Energy Saving Trust solar calculator.
Is Solar Suitable for Your Home?
A south-facing roof without shade works best. East and west-facing roofs work well too, if they slope at between 15 and 45 degrees. North-facing roofs don't get enough sun for most homes.
Solar is a long-term investment. It makes the most sense if you own your home, or have a long lease.
Find out more in our guide: are solar panels suitable for your house?
Can You Get Help With the Cost?
Some lower-income homes can get solar panels fully funded through government schemes. Through its Warm Homes Plan, the Government has also announced low and zero-interest loans for solar.
Read more about solar panel grants and schemes.
Solar and the Environment
Solar energy is 100% renewable. Your panels don't produce any carbon while they're making electricity.
Each of our 2026 solar homes expects to cut around one tonne of carbon a year.1 Every unit you make yourself is one less unit you need from the grid.
Why Some People Say Solar Isn't Worth It
Solar isn't right for every home. Here are the most common concerns.
"The Payback Takes Too Long"
Nine to 12 years can feel like a long time. But panels can keep working for 25 years or more. Once they've paid for themselves, the savings are yours. A battery and good daytime energy use can help shorten payback.
“We Don't Get Enough Sun”
Solar panels work in daylight, not only in direct sunshine. They still make energy on cloudy days, but less of it. Even in Stirling, the Energy Saving Trust expects a typical system to pay back in 11 to 12 years.²
"We Might Move"
If you move, your panels stay with your home. Improving your home's energy efficiency could also add to its value.⁵ If you're paying for your system over time, check your agreement to see what happens when you sell.
"Our Roof Isn't Right"
A north-facing roof, or one with a lot of shade, may not be suitable. Our no-obligation survey checks your roof before you commit to anything.
"The Upfront Cost Is Too High"
It's a big decision. You can spread the cost with finance, and there's currently no VAT on solar. Some homes can also get help through government schemes.
Get a Solar Quote From So Energy
Here's how it works:
- Tell us about your home and your energy use.
- Complete a virtual survey yourself, or book a surveyor to visit.
- Choose how you want to pay.
- Our engineers install your panels, and battery if you choose one, in one to two days.
- Start using your own solar energy, and get paid for what you export.
Every installation comes with a five-year workmanship warranty. We're rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
What Our Accreditations Mean
- MCS: the Microgeneration Certification Scheme certifies installers and products. You need an MCS-certified installation to get export payments.
- RECC: the Renewable Energy Consumer Code protects you from your first quote to after installation.
- TrustMark: the government-endorsed quality scheme for work done in and around your home.
- NAPIT: an approved scheme that checks our electrical work meets building regulations.
- EPVS: the Energy Performance Validation Scheme checks that the savings in our quotes are fair and realistic.
Find out more about our solar panel and battery installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There a Downside to Having Solar?
The main downside is the upfront cost. It can take nine to 12 years to pay back. Solar also needs a suitable roof.
Why Are People Getting Rid of Solar Panels?
Most people remove panels to repair or replace their roof, then refit them. Older systems are sometimes swapped for newer panels that make more energy. Panels can keep working for 25 years or more.
How Long Do Solar Panels Take to Pay for Themselves?
The Energy Saving Trust estimates nine to 12 years for a typical system. It depends on where you live, your system's cost, and how much energy you use during the day. Your quote shows your own payback period.
Do Solar Panels Add Value to Your Home?
They can. Improving your home's energy efficiency can add to its value.<sup>5</sup> How much depends on your home and the local market.
How Much Do Solar Panels Save on Electricity Bills?
Our 2026 solar customers expect to save £738 on bills in year one, on average. Add export income, and that's around £1,000. Your savings depend on your system and energy use.
Is Solar Worth It With a Battery?
A battery lets you use more of the energy you make, by storing it for the evening. It adds to the upfront cost, so your quote can show figures with and without one. Read more about solar battery storage.
Is Solar Worth It if I Plan to Move?
Your panels stay with your home when you sell. Energy efficiency improvements can add to your home's value. If you're paying over time, check your agreement before you sell.
What Is the Smart Export Guarantee and How Much Can I Earn?
It's a scheme that pays you for the spare energy you send to the grid. If we install your solar, you can get 20p per kWh.Our 2026 solar homes expect to earn £262 in their first year, on average.
Ready to See Your Own Figures?
Every home is different. Your free solar quote shows your expected savings, export income, and payback. Then you can decide if solar is right for you.
Prefer to spread the cost? See our solar payment options.
Related Reading
- What is solar energy and how does it work
- How do solar batteries work and store energy?
- How long do solar panels last?
- Do solar panels work in winter?
Sources
- So Energy data. Average figures from the signed post-survey quotes of 316 homes that accepted a final solar quote between 1 January 2026 and 2 November 2026. Figures are expected savings from each quote, not measured savings. Homes with no savings figures in their quote, and lost deals, aren't included.
- Energy Saving Trust, solar panels advice. Based on fuel prices from July 2026.
- HMRC, VAT on energy-saving materials.
- So Energy Smart Export Guarantee rates, November 2026. Terms apply.
- MoneySuperMarket, the value of energy efficiency.
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