- 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, the installation process, the impact of the weather, and which grants for solar panels are available.
If you’ve already done your research and are ready to install solar panels, fill out this form to receive free, no obligation quotes from our list of trusted suppliers.
Should you install solar panels in Leeds?
Yes, the annual savings alone are enough to make 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 (many solar panel models can last 40 years or more) and you’ll break even in 15 years, meaning the typical three-bedroom house will make an average net profit of £4,683. For one-to-two bedroom homes, this will be £2,810, going up to £6,556 for four-bedroom properties.
Installing solar panels can also help reduce your reliance on the national grid. If you choose to install a solar battery, you can store the energy your solar panels generate., Solar batteries can also come in handy during a power cut, or to help reduce your dependence on the grid even further.
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.
Be aware that getting a solar battery will increase the break-even point for a solar system, and you’ll need to buy at least two within the lifespan of your solar panels. This is because solar batteries last around 12.5 years.
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 £4,216-£9,837.
If you live in a one-to-two bedroom house or flat, your average usage is 1,800 kWh per year. To meet this usage, you’ll need six panels and a 2.1kWp system, which will generate approximately 1,431 kWh per annum.
Your annual usage almost doubles if you’re in a three-bedroom house in Leeds, using approximately 2,700 kWh. A 10 panel, 3.5kWp system, generating around 2,571kWh, will help you meet this usage
A four-bedroom house uses around 4,100 kWh per annum, so you’ll need up to 14 panels (4.9kWp). The solar energy generated will be 3,600.02kWh.
You’ll notice solar panels won’t cover your full usage, so you’ll continue to rely on the grid for some electricity, but you still stand to save anywhere between £282 and £657 per year and see total profits between £2,810 and £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, the increase in upfront costs will extend your payback period to around 19 years.
How does the weather impact solar panels in Leeds?
Leeds receives an average of 1,525 sunshine hours per year. June is the sunniest month in Leeds, with an average of 191 hours, so there’s plenty of opportunities for your solar panels to generate lots of 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.
On average, solar panels will generate 23% less electricity under light cloud cover, and up to 66% less electricity under heavy cloud cover. But they will keep generating power under these conditions, contrary to some beliefs.
The only weather that might stop solar panels generating electricity is heavy snow, as snowfall can completely block them from the sun. 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’re 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 13,798 MCS Certified installations total in Leeds, as of May 2025. 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 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
- Warm Homes Local Grant
- The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
- 0% VAT for solar panels
Below are brief overviews, but for a more detailed look at each scheme, their eligibility requirements, and how to apply, check out our guide: How to get UK government grants and funding for solar panels.
ECO4
The ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation) 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 include 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 type of energy efficiency measures and a number of other factors.
ECO4 runs 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 via LA Flex/ECO4 4.
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 households it believes to be living in fuel-poor environments, 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 Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
The SEG isn’t a grant or loan, but it’s worth including as not many know about it. Launched in 2020, the SEG 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 example, a 10-panel system can get savings up to £154 with the SEG, increasing to roughly £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
Homeowners will pay 0% VAT on solar panels until April 2027, compared to 5-20% previously, if they outright buy the systems themselves
There are a few exceptions, however.
You’ll need to use the same provider to supply and install the solar panels to qualify for 0% VAT. If you buy from one supplier and use a different provider to install your solar panels, you’ll 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.
The 0% VAT also extends to solar batteries, but you have to buy them with the solar system to qualify.
What do people in Leeds think about solar panels?
We spoke with Humbal, a solar panel owner in Leeds, about his experience with the technology.
“I installed solar panels on my home about two years ago, and so far I’ve been so glad I did. Yeah the initial cost was a little high (I spent just over £9,250 for a 4kWp system) but I’m already noticing the savings each month on my energy bills.”
“Also, it’s nice being able to make a tiny bit on the side with the Smart Export Guarantee. I’m with Octopus at the moment, though that wasn’t specifically for its export rates. That being said, I’m considering getting a solar battery to see if I can take advantage of the Intelligent Octopus Flux tariff.”
“Overall, would I recommend solar panels? Absolutely, because for me I see it as an investment in my home’s future. I reckon I’ll pay off the initial costs in a decade, or maybe a little over that, and then I’m just going to be making a profit for the next twenty or so years that my system keeps working.”
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 a net profit of around £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
