GUIDE
Solar Panels in Edinburgh: The 2026 Guide
At Edinburgh’s average yield of 894 kWh per kW per year, a 4 kW solar panel system generates around 3,576 kWh annually — a meaningful share of a typical household’s daytime electricity. 0% VAT on solar panels and batteries until 31 March 2027. Every installation is priced at survey, and your costs and savings are confirmed on your written quote.
What Edinburgh homeowners need to know in 2026
Edinburgh is one of Scotland’s strongest cities for solar. The 894 kWh/kW annual yield (MCS MIS 3002, zone 1) is above the Scottish median of 850 kWh/kW. Long summer days — Edinburgh gets over 17 hours of daylight at midsummer — compensate for shorter, darker winters.
0% VAT on solar panels and batteries until 31 March 2027. Loans available, subject to status. The Smart Export Guarantee means suppliers must offer you a tariff for surplus electricity exported to the grid — smart Export Guarantee payments, with rates set by each supplier. Check current rates; export income is never guaranteed.
How much does solar cost in Edinburgh?
Prices depend on system size, roof type and access, so every system is priced at survey. Here is what typical system sizes generate:
| System | Price | Panels | Annual generation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 kW | Priced at survey | ~10 | ~2,682 kWh |
| 4 kW | Priced at survey | ~13 | ~3,576 kWh |
| 5 kW | Priced at survey | ~16 | ~4,470 kWh |
| 6 kW | Priced at survey | ~19 | ~5,364 kWh |
| 8–10 kW | Priced at survey | ~26–32 | ~7,152–8,940 kWh |
Generation figures are illustrative, calculated at 894 kWh/kW. Scaffolding on tenements and slate roofs can add to the cost. Your price is confirmed on your written quote.
What affects the price?
The main factors that move a quote up or down in Edinburgh are scaffolding (especially on tenements and multi-storey properties), roof material (slate roofs require specialist fixings), cable run length from roof to consumer unit, and panel access difficulty. Conservation areas do not add to the hardware cost, but the planning process takes 8–12 weeks on top of the standard timeline.
Conservation areas and listed buildings
Edinburgh has over 50 conservation areas. Most require full planning permission for solar — Permitted Development Rights do not apply. The UNESCO World Heritage Old Town and New Town have the strictest requirements. Listed buildings (Categories A, B and C) need Listed Building Consent in addition to planning permission.
Solar installation is possible on most Edinburgh buildings with the right approach. The key is working with an installer who understands the City of Edinburgh Council’s requirements and can present an application that addresses visual impact.
The DNO process
SP Energy Networks (SPEN) is Edinburgh’s Distribution Network Operator. Systems up to 3.68 kW use the faster G98 notification process. Systems above 3.68 kW require a G99 application, which typically takes 6–10 weeks for approval. Your installer handles this paperwork.
Funding and finance
There is no general grant for solar panels on their own in Scotland. Some means-tested schemes exist for lower-income households, and we will say honestly if you might qualify.
- 0% VAT on solar panels and batteries until 31 March 2027.
- Loans available, subject to status.
- Smart Export Guarantee payments, with rates set by each supplier.
Is solar worth it in Edinburgh?
With Edinburgh’s above-median yield, solar can make good sense for many homes. How much you benefit depends on how much of your generation you use yourself and your export tariff. Adding a battery lets you use more of your own solar electricity and can enable charging from cheaper overnight electricity for use during peak hours.
Your actual energy use, roof orientation and shading all matter. A home survey gives you figures for your property, and any savings are confirmed on your written quote.
Get your exact figures
A no-obligation survey gives you the real numbers for your Edinburgh home. We install through MCS-certified partners.
Get my quote → or call 0141 230 0198