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Solar panels in Dorset

Solar panels in Dorset

Dorset gets more sunshine than most of the UK, so solar here tends to pay back faster. Here is what it costs, what you could save, and how to get honest quotes from local installers.

Typical cost
£6,000 to £8,500
for a 4 kWp system, fitted
Yearly saving
£550 to £900
on bills plus export payments
VAT
0%
on residential solar installs
  • MCS certified installers
  • No more than 3 quotes
  • No hard sell

Get solar quotes

Free, no obligation. Takes about a minute. Up to 3 local installers.

Step 1 of 333%
What would you like quotes for?

A few quick questions about your home

If you chose solar:

What type of home is it?
Which way does your main roof face?
Would you like a battery quote too?
When are you hoping to go ahead?

If you chose batteries:

Do you already have solar panels?
What type of home is it?
Are you on a smart or overnight tariff?
When are you hoping to go ahead?

If you chose heat pumps:

What type of home is it?
Roughly when was it built?
How do you heat your home now?
When are you hoping to go ahead?

If you chose ev chargers:

Do you have off street parking?
Do you have an electric car?
What type of home is it?
When are you hoping to go ahead?
Where should installers send your quotes?

Your details only go to the installers we match you with. Never sold on.

  • MCS certified installers

    Every installer in our network is MCS certified for what they fit

  • RECC, HIES or TrustMark

    We check consumer code membership and insurance

  • No more than 3 installers

    Your details are never sold on

  • No hard sell

    Friendly local advice. Say no anytime

Costs

How much do solar panels cost?

Prices depend on the size of the system, how easy your roof is to reach and the panels you choose. These are typical installed prices including scaffolding.

Typical installed costs for solar panels
WhatTypical cost
3 kWp (smaller home, 1 to 2 bedrooms)£6,300 or less
4 kWp (typical 3 bedroom home)£6,000 to £8,500
6 kWp (larger home)£9,000 to £12,600
Adding a battery at the same time£2,500 to £5,000

Typical ranges for guidance only. Your installer's survey sets the real price.

Savings

What could you save?

A well placed 4 kWp system in Dorset generates roughly 4,200 kWh a year. Every unit you use yourself saves you the full electricity price, currently around 26p per kWh.

Electricity you don't use is exported to the grid. Under the Smart Export Guarantee suppliers pay between 4p and 15p per kWh, so it pays to shop around.

Most households see payback in around 9 to 14 years, and panels usually last 25 to 30 years.

Get your own instant estimate

Grants and help

Grants for solar panels in Dorset

  • 0% VAT

    Solar panels on homes have 0% VAT until 31 March 2027, which is already included in the prices above.

  • Smart Export Guarantee

    Get paid for the electricity you send back to the grid. You need an MCS certified installation to qualify.

  • Warm Homes and ECO schemes

    Lower income households may qualify for free or heavily discounted solar through council or energy company schemes. Your installer can help check.

Is it right for your home?

Pros of solar panels

  • Lower electricity bills from day one
  • Paid for the power you export
  • Very little maintenance
  • Can add value and appeal when you sell
  • Pairs well with a battery, heat pump or EV

Things to consider

  • Upfront cost, even with payback over time
  • Generates much less in winter
  • North facing or heavily shaded roofs earn less
  • Conservation areas and listed buildings may need planning permission

Simple and free

Getting solar quotes is simple

  1. Step 1: Tell us about your home

    Answer a few quick questions. It takes about a minute and there is no obligation.

  2. Step 2: We match you with up to 3 local installers

    We pick vetted, MCS certified installers who actually cover your part of Dorset. Never more than three.

  3. Step 3: Compare quotes and choose

    Installers get in touch to arrange a survey and a written quote. You choose who to go with, or no one at all.

Solar panels questions

Do I need planning permission for solar panels in Dorset?

Most homes can fit roof panels under permitted development, so no planning application is needed. The exceptions are listed buildings, some flats, and roofs facing a road in a conservation area or the Jurassic Coast world heritage setting. Your installer will check this for you before quoting.

How much roof space do I need?

Roughly 2 square metres per panel. A 4 kWp system needs around 20 square metres of usable, unshaded roof.

Do solar panels work on cloudy days?

Yes, they still generate in daylight, just less. Over a year the sunny months make up for the grey ones, and Dorset is one of the sunnier parts of the UK.

Is an east or west facing roof worth it?

Usually, yes. East or west roofs typically produce around 78% of a south facing roof, and they spread generation across the morning or evening when you may be at home.

How do I pay for it?

Most people pay the installer directly. Ask your installer about payment options.

Ready for your solar quotes?

Free and no obligation. We match you with up to 3 local installers.

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