EDF Solar Panel Installation Cost Guide

EDF solar panel installation cost starts from £5,775 including 0% VAT for a domestic system, and EDF’s cost guide says a typical installed system is around £5,800 to £10,000 depending on size and battery storage. Those figures were last published by EDF in mid-August 2026.

What you actually pay depends on your roof, the number of panels, whether you add a battery, and where you live. This matters most for bill-conscious households already paying more than they need to: with the Ofgem price cap set at £1,862 a year for a typical dual-fuel home from 1 July 2026, cutting the electricity you buy from the grid is one of the few ways to make a lasting dent in your bills. Free Price Compare sources pricing and savings context from published supplier pages and official UK guidance so you can judge a quote fairly.

Last updated: August 2026

Written by the Free Price Compare editorial team | Reviewed August 2026

How much does an EDF solar panel system actually cost?

An EDF solar panel system starts from £5,775 including 0% VAT, and EDF’s cost guide states installation typically falls between around £5,800 and £10,000, both figures published by EDF in mid-August 2026. The starting price covers a smaller array; larger systems and battery storage push the total towards and beyond the upper end. In November 2025 EDF published indicative package prices for smaller, mid-sized and solar-and-battery systems, all including 0% VAT. EDF also runs regional pricing, with different entry prices shown for different areas. Because these figures move with panel supply, promotions and the exact specification, always work from a written quote for your own property rather than a headline starting price.

Figures are indicative and may change.

Prices this specific date quickly, so use them as a benchmark rather than a live quote. If you want to see how EDF’s numbers stack up against other installers, our guide to EDF Energy solar panels and battery storage breaks down what is included in each package.

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Why do solar panel installation quotes vary so much?

Solar panel installation quotes vary because system size, panel and inverter quality, battery capacity, roof complexity and scaffolding all change the price, and no two homes are identical. A steeper or higher roof, or one needing extra scaffolding or electrical work, costs more to fit safely. Battery storage is usually the single biggest add-on, often adding several thousand pounds, because it stores daytime generation for evening use instead of exporting it cheaply. Panel wattage and inverter type also matter: a like-for-like 4kW array can differ by hundreds of pounds between installers depending on the components. EDF notes its own prices vary by region and property, which is why its London page has shown a lower entry point than its main solar page. When you compare quotes, check the panel count, total kW, inverter, battery size and what the scaffolding allowance covers, rather than comparing headline prices alone.

• System size in kW and the number of panels
• Whether a battery is included and its usable capacity in kWh
• Panel and inverter make and warranty length
• Scaffolding, cabling and any extra electrical work
• Your region and roof orientation and pitch

Reviewing several like-for-like quotes is the most reliable way to judge value. Our So Energy solar panel guide and Project Solar UK guide show how different installers package and price their systems.

Do I pay VAT on solar panels?

You do not pay VAT on solar panels installed on a home in Great Britain, because a 0% VAT rate applies to domestic installations of solar panels, batteries and other qualifying energy-saving materials. This relief was introduced by gov.uk and HMRC and, following an extension, currently runs until 31 March 2027, after which the rate is due to return to 5% unless the government extends it again. That is why EDF and other installers quote solar prices “including 0% VAT”: the saving is already baked into the figure. The relief covers the supply and installation together, so it applies when a certified installer fits the system rather than to panels bought separately for self-installation. Because the relief has an end date, the timing of an installation can affect the price you pay, so it is worth checking the current position before you commit.

Thinking about going solar?

Compare solar and battery quotes from UK installers side by side before you commit.

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How long is the payback period on solar panels?

The payback period on solar panels is the number of years it takes for savings and export income to cover the installation cost, and for a typical UK home it commonly falls somewhere in the region of 8 to 15 years, depending on system price, how much electricity you use during daylight and your export rate. A household paying £6,000 to £10,000 up front will pay back faster if it uses more of its own generation directly, adds a battery to shift solar into the evening, and secures a good export tariff. With the Ofgem price cap at £1,862 a year for a typical dual-fuel home from 1 July to 30 September 2026, with electricity at 24.67p per kWh, every unit you generate and use yourself is worth avoiding that grid rate. Free Price Compare does not present any single payback figure as guaranteed, because it hinges on your own usage pattern, roof and tariff. Ask any installer to show the assumptions behind their payback estimate.

The benefits of installing solar panels in the UK guide explains how self-consumption and export together shape the return.

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How much can I save per year with solar panels?

Solar panel savings vary by home, but EDF’s London page has claimed customers could “save up to £650 per year”, a best-case figure rather than a guarantee for every household. Actual savings depend on how much of your generation you use directly, whether you have a battery, your export tariff and your roof orientation and pitch. A south-facing roof with no shading generates more than a north-facing or partly shaded one. Against the Ofgem price cap of £1,862 a year for a typical dual-fuel home from 1 July 2026, a saving of that size would offset a meaningful share of a household’s electricity spend but would not eliminate the bill, because you still buy from the grid overnight and on dull days. Households that use most electricity in the daytime, or that pair panels with a battery to cover the evening, tend to see the largest reductions.

Can I really get £0 electricity bills with a solar tariff?

A £0 net electricity bill from solar is possible for some households in some periods, but it is not a realistic year-round outcome for most homes. Reaching a £0 or near-£0 position usually requires a well-sized system, a battery, high daytime and evening self-consumption, and a specialist solar or export tariff that credits the electricity you send back to the grid. Even then, the standing charge still applies unless a tariff specifically waives it, and winter generation in the UK is a fraction of summer output. Treat any “£0 bills” headline as a best case that depends on your usage, storage and tariff, and ask the installer to show the full-year assumptions, including winter months, before you rely on it.

What is the Smart Export Guarantee and how does it pay you?

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is an Ofgem scheme that requires larger licensed electricity suppliers to pay you for surplus solar electricity you export to the grid. Under the SEG, you need a smart meter or an export meter that can record what you send back, and a certified installation. Rates are set by individual suppliers rather than fixed by Ofgem, so they vary, and some solar-focused tariffs pay considerably more per exported kWh than others. Storing solar in a battery and using it yourself is usually worth more than exporting it at a low rate, which is why battery sizing and your chosen export tariff both affect your payback. To qualify, your system generally needs to be installed by an MCS-certified installer, so check certification is part of any quote.

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Should you add a battery to an EDF solar system?

Adding a battery to a solar system is worth considering if you use a lot of electricity in the evening, because a battery stores daytime generation for use after dark instead of exporting it at a lower rate. That is why EDF’s larger example packages, such as its 7kW system priced at around £10,095 including 0% VAT in November 2025, bundle a battery, while smaller entry systems do not. A battery is usually the single most expensive component, so it makes the most financial sense when your export rate is low relative to the grid price you would otherwise pay in the evening. Households that are out during the day and use most power at night gain the most; those who can shift usage into daylight hours may not need one. If you already have panels, you can often add a battery later, though retrofitting can cost more than including it at installation.

Our Evergreen Power battery storage guide and Soly solar and storage guide compare how installers price battery add-ons.

Is EDF a good option for solar panels?

EDF is one of several established UK energy suppliers offering solar and battery installation, with published starting prices from £5,775 including 0% VAT and a typical installed range of around £5,800 to £10,000 as of mid-August 2026. Buying through a large supplier can suit households that want a single brand handling supply, installation and export, though it is not automatically the cheapest route. The most reliable way to judge whether EDF represents value is to compare its quote against two or three other MCS-certified installers on a like-for-like basis: same kW, same battery capacity, comparable panel and inverter quality and warranties. Prices vary by region and property, so the quote for your postcode is what matters, not the national starting price. Free Price Compare lets you weigh EDF’s package against other installers rather than relying on one supplier’s headline figures.

• So Energy Solar Panel | Costs, Installation & SEG Tariff
• Project Solar UK, Solar Panel Installation & Battery Storage
• 0800 Repair | Solar Panels & Renewable Energy UK
• Effective Home | Solar Panels & Battery Storage UK
• Evergreen Power | Solar Panels & Battery Storage UK

Information correct as of 18 August 2026. Prices, tariffs, policy details and providers change frequently, so please check the latest details before making a decision. This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. Free Price Compare is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).