How Many Solar Panels Do I Need For My UK Home? 2024 Guide
- A medium-sized household of up to 4 people typically needs a 4-5kW solar system (equal to 8 – 13 panels, each 350W or 450W).
- Solar panels will cost between £5,000 – £13,000 excluding installation but could offer annual savings of up to £1,175.
- The number of panels you need depends on the size, location and electricity use of your home.
If you’re interested in running your home on solar power, you may be wondering “How many solar panels do I need to run a house?”. The answer depends on several factors, including your annual energy use, solar panel sizes, roof space and budget.
In this article, we'll look in depth at each of these factors to help you determine the best system size for your needs. We'll also cover expected costs and those all-important savings!
If you're ready to get started on your solar-powered journey and are looking to find trusted installers to quote for your new panels, we can help.
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How many solar panels to power a house in the UK?
To calculate how many solar panels you need, you will first have to calculate your annual electricity usage. On average, a UK household uses 2,700kWh per year. To get a more accurate figure, you may find this information on your energy bills.
Residential solar panels typically range from 350W to 450W per panel. Depending on your home’s average energy consumption, you may want to consider higher-output solar panels.
To find out which size system would best suit your home, and the possible costs involved, take a look at our estimates in the table below:
| Household Size | Size of Solar PV System | Number of 450 Watt Solar Panels | Number of 350 Watt Solar Panels | Estimated Annual Output | Potential Cost (before installation) |
Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (1-2 bedrooms) | 2-3kW | 4-6 | 5-8 | 1,700-2,550kWh | £5,000-£8,000 | £515 |
| Medium (2-3 bedrooms) | 4-5kW | 8-10 | 10-13 | 3,400-4,250kWh | £9,000-£12,000 | £770 |
| Large (4-5 bedrooms) | 6kW | 13 | 16 | 5,100kWh | £12,000-£13,000 | £1,175 |
How to calculate how many solar panels you need
When calculating solar panel needs, you should consider the following points:
- How many will produce the energy you need to run your home?
For example, 10 panels (350W each) = 3,500kWh, does this meet your typical energy demand? - Do I have enough space on the roof for this many panels?
Each solar panel can be 2m2, if you require 10 can you ensure you have 20m2
of roof space? - Can you afford this many panels? If not, can you adopt a hybrid option, using solar panels and energy from the grid?
A solar panel system can cost between £5,000 – £13,000, before installation fees. However, they can save you over £1,000 annually and pay for themselves over time.
So if you're wondering, 'How many solar panels do I need in the UK?' we can help.
To get the very best service, at the right price, you should compare quotes from multiple installers. Seeking expert advice from those in your local area can ensure you get the optimal system for your location.
To avoid the stress of searching through endless customer reviews and waiting weeks to hear back from anyone, why not choose the easy option?
You can obtain multiple free, non-binding quotes from certified engineers in your area simply by pressing the button below.
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What affects how many solar panels are needed to run a house?
As well as the energy demand of your home, there are other aspects which will determine how many solar panels you need. This includes the type of house you own, the roof size and angle, and how much sunlight you typically receive daily.
Considering, 'how much solar do I need', you should take the following into account.
The size of your home can impact how much energy you require, this is down to how many people live there and if you need to power larger appliances for longer periods. It can also be impacted by elements such as larger boilers, requiring more power to heat bigger spaces.
The amount of sunlight your home gets will also impact the amount of energy your panels can generate. If your area has limited sunlight hours (in parts of Scotland for example) you might need to install more panels to capture as much solar energy as possible.
The orientation and angle of your roof can also affect the performance of solar panels. For example, a south-facing roof is likely to catch more sunlight. Whilst solar panels will work for most homes if your roof is facing west, for example, you may need to add more panels to your system to get the most effective results.
There are other factors that can complicate your installation, particularly if you live in a flat or apartment. This may require clearance with your neighbours and/or landlord, reviewing building codes in your area, etc.
However, if you’re looking for a hassle-free installation, you can use our service to find the best engineers in your area and start saving on your energy bills. There's no need to spend hours searing on your own.
Solar panels are a great way to mitigate soaring energy prices. Click the button below to get 4 free, non-binding quotes at competitive rates.
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Sizes of solar panels: solar panel dimensions in the UK
Another important question to consider is, 'What size solar panels do I need?'. For this, you will need to factor in the size of your roof or the area of the property where you want to install your panels. The average solar panel system produces 8kWh to 11kWh daily and requires a minimum of 14m2 of roof space.
A 4kW system with 10 panels can range from 14m2 to 16m2, depending on the capacity per panel. This size difference can vary based on whether the individual solar panels are smaller 350W ones or 450W.
How many solar panels can I fit on my roof?
| Size of System | No. of Panels | Panel Size |
|---|---|---|
| 2kW | 4 – 5 | 8 – 10m2 |
| 3kW | 6 – 8 | 12 – 16m2 |
| 4kW | 8 – 10 | 16 – 20m2 |
| 5kW | 10 – 13 | 20 – 26m2 |
| 6kW | 13 – 16 | 26 – 32m2 |
The amount of solar panels you can fit on your roof varies depending on the free space you have. The table above can help you estimate how many panels you can install (the table uses averages, but sizes can vary based on the type of panels and their arrangement).
Additionally, while most homes in the UK meet the requirements for solar panels, there are still certain criteria you need to meet to maximise solar panel efficiency:
- A south-facing roof will deliver optimal results, while east-to-west-facing ones can lose about 15% energy efficiency.
- The level of shading in your surroundings.
- Roof pitch of 30-40 degrees.
- Whether there's enough space (a 4 kW system can take up around 128m² of space).
What affects how many solar panels are needed to run a house?
The number of solar panels needed to run a house completely independently of the National Grid will depend on the energy requirements, available roof space, and the performance output of each panel.
If the average home consumes 2,700kWh of electricity per year, a solar system of at least 4 – 5kW would be required, as they generate approximately 3,400 – 4,250kWh annually. These systems can be made up of 8 – 13 panels, (either 350W or 450W).
This, however, is only an estimate on paper, a home running only on solar power may need an even more powerful system to compensate for weather disruptions, family growth or property expansions.
Whether the home is still connected to the gas network will also need to be considered – elements such as swapping gas cooking and gas boilers for electric alternatives will increase the average energy consumption.
How many solar panels does your home need? A conclusion
Taking all the factors stated earlier into account, here are the typical solar panel arrangements for the average flat or house in each category, assuming they meet the average size and consumption for British households and are based in an optimal location for solar panels.
| Household Size | Solar PV System | Roof Space | Annual Energy Output | Number of 450W Panels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – 2 bedroom house | 2 – 3kW | 8 – 12m2 | 1,700 – 2,550kWh | 4 – 6 |
| 3 bedroom house | 4 – 5kW | 16 – 20m2 | 3,400 – 4,250kWh | 8 – 10 |
| 4 – 5 bedroom house | 6kW | 26m2 | 5,100kWh | 13 |
Prices are, approximately, as follows (depending on your region and the particulars of your residence):
- 2kW = £5,000 – £6,000
- 3kW = £7,000 – £8,000
- 4kW = £9,000 – £10,000
- 5kW = £11,000 – £12,000
Factors to keep in mind that might affect the efficiency of your setup include sunlight hours, the slope of your roof, how much shade there is around your house, and which direction your house faces in relation to the sun. Keep these variables in mind because they may affect how many solar panels you need to power your house.
While prices may make you hesitant, it's important to remember that solar panels not only help the environment and allow you to save money in the long run but also enable you to send excess energy back into the grid in exchange for payments from selected energy suppliers. Bear in mind, these are only one of the many benefits of solar panels.
If you’re looking to start your journey into the world of solar panels, you can learn more about choosing a solar panel installer here.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for great options and prices, you can use our handy service to get the best deals from professional engineers in your area. Let the experts take it from here and you can start saving on your energy usage and cut back on solar panel costs.
We understand that installing solar panels can be complex for many people, which is why our service takes all the pain out of finding the right person for the job and helps you find an offer that suits your home and needs precisely. You can obtain up to 4 free, non-binding quotes simply by clicking the link below.
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FAQ
How many solar panels do I need for 500kWh per month?
Generating 500kWh can be done with a 6kW system, which requires between 13 – 16 panels (350W or 450W each). This can, however, depend on various factors that increase or decrease panel efficiency.
How many solar panels do I need for a 4-bedroom house?
A 4-bedroom house ordinarily requires 6kW solar panel systems. However, the precise type of system can vary based on several factors.
How many solar panels do I need for 2,000kWh per month?
Assuming sunshine hours of 3.5 to 4 per day, 35 to 40 400W solar panels would be enough to generate 2000kWh per month. The level of power a solar panel can generate depends on several factors, making it difficult to determine precisely.
How many solar panels does the average UK home need?
The average energy usage in the UK is 2,700kWh, requiring a 4-5kW system. However, this can vary depending on the size of your household, energy consumption, and a few other factors.
How many solar panels do I need for 1,000kWh per month?
To produce 1,000kWh per month, you would need a large solar panel system of at least 12kW or more which is likely to require 16+ panels. It should be noted, however, that the average home only uses 2,700kWh per year, which would only require 4-5kW (approx. 10 panels).
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