Solar panels in Leeds: are they worth it?

• A 3.5 kilowatt-hour (kWh) 10-panel system costs £7,026 on average in the UK
• The typical three-bedroom house will save £469 per year and break even in 15 years
• Installing solar panels can help reduce your reliance on the national grid
• A four-bedroom house uses around 4,100 kWh per annum
• There are multiple grants, schemes and funding available for solar panels and home improvements in Leeds

The cost of solar panels can be high, with a 3.5 kilowatt-hour (kWh) 10-panel system costing £7,026 on average across the UK, which is typically needed for a three-bedroom home. 

But the cost will differ from county to county, as will savings, so it’s worth reaching out to your local council or suppliers for specific costs. 

In Leeds, for example, the typical three-bedroom house will save £469 per year and break even in 15 years. You’ll also enjoy free electricity for the next decade or so. 

In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about installing solar panels in Leeds. We’ll explore costs, installation processes, the impact of the weather and which schemes, grants and loans are available. 

If you’ve already done your research and are ready to install them, fill out this form to receive free, no obligation quotes from our list of trusted suppliers. 

Should you install solar panels in Leeds? 

As we’ve already mentioned, the annual savings alone are enough to make getting solar panels worth getting in Leeds. 

With Leeds being in Yorkshire, all the following prices will be based on that county, so prices may vary. 

Solar panels have an average lifespan of 25 years and you’ll break even in 15 years, meaning the average three-bedroom house will make an average net profit of £4,683. For one-to-two bedroom homes, this will be £2,810 and £6,556 for four bedrooms. 

Installing solar panels can also help reduce your reliance on the national grid. If you choose to install a solar battery, you can store more energy, which will come in handy during a power cut or to help further reduce your dependence on the grid. 

When you’re gathering quotes, make sure to ask for solar battery costs and whether it would be worth installing one. Sometimes it’s as simple as asking your installer to add this capability, protecting you against power outages, while utilising renewable energy and reducing your carbon footprint. 

Solar panels also require little maintenance and their lifetime can be extended if they are well looked after. 

How much do solar panels cost in Leeds?

The cost of solar panels in Leeds will depend on a variety of factors, including the installer you choose, the type of solar panels you choose and the system you need. You will also need to factor in labour costs. 

We’ll discuss solar panel systems and the number of panels needed for the average home in Leeds. As a ballpark figure, solar panels in Leeds cost between £4,315-£10,067. 

If you live in a one-to-two bedroom house or flat, your average usage is 1,800 kWh. To combat this usage, you’ll need six panels and a 2.1kWp system, which will generate 1,431kWh per annum. 

Your annual usage almost doubles if you’re in a three-bedroom house in Leeds, using approximately 2,700. To cater for this, you’ll need a 10 panel, 3.5kWp system, generating around 2,571kWh. 

A four-bedroom house uses around 4,100 kWh per annum so you’ll need 14 panels and a 4.9kWp system. The solar energy generated will be 3,600.02kWh. 

You’ll notice solar panels won’t cover your full usage, so you’ll still be relying on the grid for some electricity, but you still stand to save anywhere between £282 and £657 per year and profits between £2,810-£6,556. 

You can boost this usage through a solar battery, too. However, as you’ll typically need two batteries throughout a solar panel’s lifetime, so it’s not always the best option. 

How does the weather impact solar panels in Leeds?

Leeds receives an average of 1,525 sunshine hours per year. June has the highest levels of sunshine in Leeds, with an average of 191 hours, so there’s plenty of opportunities for your solar panels to generate electricity. 

Leeds’ relatively mild climate even does you a favour, as it protects your solar panels from overheating – the main reason for reduced solar output across the country. 

And don’t worry about rain. While Leeds gets its fair share of it throughout the year, it isn’t a big obstacle to solar energy production.

Your system will keep generating electricity even when there’s torrential rain outside and they can even help clear your panels of dirt and debris, making them more effective. 

The only weather that might impact solar panels is heavy snow. According to Yorkshire-based supplier of renewable technology Ecofootprint, snow may briefly stop solar panels from producing energy, but it only affects yearly savings. 

The company has said that while solar panels generate less power under heavy snow, they work again on sunny days as long as they are not damaged.

“Short winter days matter less for energy production because long summer days generate plenty of surplus power, which can be credited back to you through net metering,” the company is quoted as saying.

Some solar panels even work better in colder temperatures and can even use reflected light from snow, helping to save energy. 

There are 4,800 MCS Certified installations total in Leeds, as of April 2024. This figure is only based on those MCS Certified, so it’s likely to be much higher, too. 

What funding is available for solar panels in Leeds?

There are multiple grants, schemes and funding available for solar panels and home improvements in Leeds. It’s worth noting that there are no grants specific to solar panels, but available ones that can be put towards solar panels are: 

• ECO4
• LA Flex/ECO4 Flex 
• The Home Upgrade Grant
• The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
• 0% VAT for solar panels

Below is an overview of each scheme, but for full rundown, eligibility requirements and how to apply, check out our guide: How to get UK government grants and funding for solar panels in 2024. 

ECO4

The ECO4 scheme in Great Britain aims to help tackle fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions. The scheme requires medium and large gas and electricity suppliers to help households with energy efficiency measures, which includes solar panels. 

The Ofgem-administered scheme also covers insulation, boiler repairs and heat pump installation. 

There’s no set amount of funding you can receive, since it’s dependent on your home’s needs. The level of funding will depend on the measures type and a number of factors. 

The scheme will run until 31 March 2026. 

LA Flex/ECO4 Flex

If you don’t meet the criteria for the ECO4 scheme, you might still be eligible to receive funding from the ECO4 scheme. 

ECO4 enables local authorities to widen the eligibility criteria, allowing them to tailor energy efficiency schemes to their respective areas. 

Under the scheme, participating local authorities can refer private tenure households it believes to be living in fuel-poor households, on a low income or vulnerable to the elements. ECO4 is optional and suppliers can deliver up to 50% of their ECO obligation under ECO4 Flex.

The Home Upgrade Grant

This grant offers homeowners and landlords up to £10,000 in funding to energy inefficient households located in 45 local authorities. 

Leeds City Council is one of the councils who offer this grant, but double check your postcode to be sure. The grant is only running until March 2025, so take advantage of this, while you can. 

This scheme can be used to fund solar PV panels, but also insulation, heat pumps, double glazing and solar thermal. 

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)

The SEG isn’t a grant or loan, but it’s worth including as not many know about it. The SEG was launched in 2020 and enables homeowners to receive payments from energy suppliers for any unused solar-generated electricity they export back to the grid. 

The SEG can help increase overall savings you make from solar panels. For a 10-panel system, the SEG savings equate to £154 and increased to £216 for a 14-panel system. 

Energy suppliers registered as an SEG Licensee determine the rate, contract length and other terms, which SEG homeowners receive.

0% VAT for solar panels 

This is a benefit to installing solar panels in Leeds – and in general – rather than a scheme or grant. Homeowners will pay 0% VAT on solar panels until April 2027, compared to 5-20% previously.

There are a few exceptions. 

You will need to use the same provider to supply and install solar panels to qualify for 0% VAT. However, if you buy from one supplier and use a different provider to install your solar panels, you will be charged 5% on the cost of installation. 

You will also pay 5% VAT on the cost of any repairs or maintenance after the initial installation. 

Next steps 

The next step is to get a strong understanding of your annual electricity usage and your roof, then work out how many solar panels you need. Following this, work out how dramatically it could cut your energy bills. 

We advise getting multiple solar panel quotes to make sure you get the right deal for your home and circumstances. 

If you want help with these quotes, fill in this form with a few detailers and our trusted suppliers will get in touch with free quotes. 

Summary 

• In Leeds, the typical three-bedroom house will save £469 per year and break even in 15 years
• The average three-bedroom house will make an average net profit of £4,683
• For one-to-two bedroom homes, this will be £2,810 and £6,556 for four bedrooms
• Snow may briefly stop solar panels from producing energy, but it only affects yearly savings
• This grant offers homeowners and landlords up to £10,000 in funding to energy inefficient households
• Understand fully your annual electricity usage and your roof
• Get multiple solar panel quotes to make sure you get the right deal for your home and circumstances