Solar Panels in Wales (Updated November 2024)

Wales is often thought to have limited sunlight, but it actually enjoys a considerable number of sunshine hours, making it an excellent location for installing solar panels. Moreover, government solar panel grants like ECO4 and the Welsh Nest scheme provide financial support for eligible households, meaning homeowners could benefit from free solar panels in Wales.

By taking advantage of solar panel grants in Wales, residents can generate their own electricity, reduce dependence on the national grid, and achieve significant savings on energy costs. In this article, we navigate you through all there is to know about solar panels in Wales, including their efficiency, costs, and government support schemes available to you, while also helping you find the best suppliers of solar panels.

Interested in solar panels in Wales? We can help you get the best deal! Don’t waste hours contacting installers on your own. Simply fill out our 30-second form, and we’ll do the rest. We’ll connect you with up to 4 trusted installers near you for free, no-obligation quotes. Click below to get started.

Yes, solar panels in Wales are efficient enough. In fact, in May 2020, the region enjoyed the highest amount of sunshine it has ever had, totalling 286 hours, significantly above the UK average. Moreover, this efficiency will vary on factors such as solar panel type, the time of the year, and panel orientation, with south-facing panels generally outperforming north-facing ones.

Considering this, a 4kW solar panel system in Wales, ideally positioned southwards, can achieve up to 22% efficiency with high-quality monocrystalline panels. This optimal setup can significantly reduce energy costs for an average-sized household, potentially leading to annual savings of £660.

That said, solar panels in North Wales are slightly less efficient than solar panels in South Wales due to the latter receiving more sunlight. However, solar panel efficiency ultimately depends on several factors, such as panel positioning, average household energy consumption, system size, type of solar panel, and installation quality.

Solar panel costs in the UK range from £2,500 - £10,500 depending on factors such as size, brand and the complexity of the installation. According to government data (Gov.uk), the cost of solar panels has decreased in the UK over the last few years, with prices peaking above £2,000 per kW between January and May 2023, steadily falling back to early 2022 levels.

While it's difficult to determine the exact causes of these fluctuations, notable cost increases often coincide with high installation volumes, suggesting that demand influences prices. Overall, solar panel costs have decreased compared to previous years, making solar energy more accessible for homeowners across the country, including solar panel prices in Wales.

Here’s a breakdown of the solar panel prices you can expect to pay based on the size of the system:

These costs are estimates. Get a local installer QUOTE now!

Furthermore, many factors affect the cost of installing solar panels. These include the solar system size, the installation cost, and whether you choose to install a solar panel battery. Other costs depend on the choice of supplier and type of panels.

The cost of solar panels in Wales will be affected by potential extras and installation costs, which vary by installer. That’s why it’s best to compare several solar installers in your area. Instead of spending days on research and comparisons on your own, why not fill out our 30-second form and let us do the rest? We’ll find you up to 4 free quotes from trusted installers in your area. Click below to get started.

The cost of solar panels in Wales can be quite high. However, homeowners can expect annual savings of approximately £660 for an average household, with a break-even point of around 8 to 10 years.

For a better understanding, here’s a guide to the expected annual savings and break-even points based on household size:

While the initial investment for solar panels is substantial, a 4kW system, suitable for an average medium household in Wales, can provide significant long-term benefits.

With this system, you can expect to save approximately £660 annually and break even in about 8 years. Given that solar panels typically last 25-30 years, you'll enjoy 17 to 22 years of free electricity after reaching the break-even point, making it a cost-effective and environmentally friendly energy solution in the long run.

There are numerous grants for solar panels available nationwide and specific solar grants in Wales. The government offers various options for grants, rebates, and schemes to help reduce the cost of solar panel installation for individual households. These are:

The Welsh Government Warm Homes Nest scheme offers eligible households in Wales free energy efficiency advice and funding for home improvements. Eligible households can receive free advice and improvements.

The application process is ongoing, and even if you don’t qualify for free upgrades, Nest advisors can provide helpful energy-saving advice and information on potential benefits. Therefore, to be eligible for funded home improvements such as solar panels in Wales, certain conditions must be met:

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme is a UK government initiative to improve energy efficiency in homes across Wales, England, and Scotland. Running from April 2022 to March 2026, this £4 billion program provides free energy-saving upgrades to eligible households, with a particular emphasis on tackling fuel poverty.

In Wales, the ECO4 scheme offers significant benefits to homeowners and private tenants, potentially including partially or fully free solar panels in Wales. While the program is available throughout the UK, its implementation may vary slightly between regions.

The scheme targets vulnerable and low-income families living in energy-inefficient homes to reduce energy bills and carbon emissions. Medium to large energy providers are obligated to make these upgrades accessible to qualifying households.

Having said this, eligibility requirements for the ECO4 scheme include:

Applicants who don't meet the standard criteria may still be eligible through alternative routes such as the LA Flex or LA Delivery Schemes (LADS), which have different eligibility requirements to support low-income households.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a UK government initiative that allows homeowners and small businesses in Wales, England, and Scotland to earn money by exporting surplus renewable electricity back to the national grid. Launched on January 1, 2020, the SEG replaced the previous Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme and mandates that larger energy suppliers provide export tariffs to customers generating their own renewable energy.

Eligibility requirements for the SEG include:

The application process is ongoing, and interested individuals should contact an SEG licensee to apply for a tariff. It's advisable to compare different suppliers as tariff rates can vary significantly.

The 0% VAT scheme is a UK government initiative that will run from 2022 to March 2027 and applies to all UK homes installing solar panels and other qualifying energy-saving materials. It’s important to note that there is no formal application process since solar panel providers automatically apply the VAT reduction during installation.

Interested in solar panel grants in Wales but don’t know where to get started? We can help you get free quotes from solar panel installers near you who can guide you through this process. Don’t waste hours searching on your own. Simply fill in our 30-second form, and we’ll do the rest. Receive up to 4 free quotes.

Solar panel grants and schemes in Wales offer excellent opportunities for homeowners to access renewable energy solutions at reduced or no cost. The Welsh Government's Warm Homes Nest Scheme and the ECO4 program can potentially provide partially or totally free solar panels in Wales.

Nevertheless, it’s important to note that the availability and extent of support will vary based on individual circumstances and eligibility criteria. For this reason, we highly recommend getting in touch with the best solar panel installers to guide you throughout the process. This way, you can expect expert guidance on available grants, assess your property's suitability for solar energy, and navigate the application process for support schemes. 

GreenMatch offers a comprehensive network of local solar panel installers across the UK. For more detailed information regarding your region, check our pages on solar panels in Scotland and solar panels in Northern Ireland.

All in all, are solar panels worth it in Wales? Well, yes, they are. Solar panels in South Wales or North Wales are a viable investment despite the area’s bad weather reputation, as the region enjoys a fairly good number of sunlight hours compared to other places in the UK.

However, while upfront solar panel prices in Wales, as in much of the country, remain high, ranging from approximately £2,500 - £10,500, depending on the system size, Welsh homeowners and renters can still expect annual savings of around £660 and to pay off their newly acquired solar panels in just 8 years for a 4kW system. Over a lifespan of 25 years, total savings could amount to £16,500.

Despite this, solar panel grants are available in Wales. Programs such as the Welsh Nest Scheme and the ECO4 program potentially allow for totally free solar panels in Wales, further improving the return on investment.

If, after reading our guide on solar panels in Wales, you’re still wondering where to find the best solar panels in Cardiff or how many solar panels do you need to cover your household’s electricity needs, look no further; we can connect you with our network of professional installers to assist you in getting the best solar panels for your home.

Comparing solar panel installers in Wales can take hours and be very stressful when done alone. Fortunately, we can connect you with up to 4 approved solar experts near you for free! Just fill in our 30-second form, and we’ll do the rest.