Are Solar Panels Still Worth It in the UK in 2025?

With energy bills remaining stubbornly high and solar panel technology continuing to improve, the case for going solar in the UK has never been stronger. At Maybury Energy Services, we install solar panels across Coventry, Birmingham, Warwickshire, Solihull, and the West Midlands — and the question on most homeowners' minds is simple: will it actually save me money? The short answer is yes — here's why.

The Energy Price Reality

Electricity prices in the UK have risen significantly over the past few years and, while the extreme peaks of 2022–23 have eased, the unit rate remains far above historic norms. The average household is currently paying around 24–28p per kWh for electricity from the grid.

Solar panels generate electricity for effectively free once installed. Every unit of electricity you generate and use yourself is a unit you don't need to buy from your supplier — saving you that 24–28p directly. On a typical 4kWp solar system, that self-consumption saving alone can amount to £600–£900 per year for an average household.

What About the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)?

Any electricity your solar panels generate that you don't use immediately gets exported to the grid. Under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), your energy supplier must pay you for this exported electricity — and rates vary from around 3p to 15p per unit depending on the tariff you choose.

To maximise your SEG earnings, we always recommend pairing solar with a home battery. Instead of exporting cheap electricity and buying it back later at full price, a battery stores your surplus generation for use in the evening — dramatically improving your self-consumption rate and your overall savings.

Real Numbers: What to Expect

Here's a realistic overview for a typical 4kWp solar PV system installed by Maybury Energy Services, depending on the size of the property:

• Annual generation: approximately 3,400–3,800 kWh (Coventry/West Midlands area)
• Self-consumption (without battery): approx. 30–40% of generation
• Self-consumption (with battery): approx. 60–80% of generation
• Annual bill savings (solar only): £400–£700
• Annual bill savings (solar + battery): £700–£1,100
• Typical payback period (solar only): 7–10 years
• Typical payback period (solar + battery): 8–12 years

With a system lifespan of 25+ years and panel degradation of typically less than 0.5% per year, you're looking at 15+ years of near-pure profit after payback — all while insulating yourself from future energy price rises.

Does the UK Get Enough Sun?

This is the question we hear most often — and the answer might surprise you. Solar panels don't need direct, blazing sunshine to work. They generate electricity from daylight, not heat, which means they produce power even on overcast days. The UK receives between 900 and 1,200 hours of sunshine per year — enough to make solar a very worthwhile investment.

Coventry and the West Midlands sit in the middle of that range, with broadly similar solar irradiance to parts of northern France and Germany, where solar is already mainstream. Whether you're in Birmingham, Solihull, Nuneaton, Rugby, Kenilworth, or Leamington Spa, solar panels are a worthwhile investment. South-facing roofs at a 30–40 degree pitch will generate the most, but east and west-facing roofs can also be highly effective — something we assess as part of every free survey.

Added Benefits Beyond the Bills

Solar panels don't just save money — they add value in other ways:

• Property value: Studies consistently show solar panels increase property values by 1–4%, and an A or B EPC rating is increasingly important to buyers.
• Carbon footprint: A 4kWp system offsets approximately 1–1.5 tonnes of CO₂ per year — equivalent to planting around 30 trees annually.
• EV charging: Pair your solar with an EV charger and you can charge your car from your own roof — reducing your fuel costs to near zero on sunny days.
• Energy independence: Generating your own electricity reduces your exposure to volatile wholesale energy prices and supplier tariff changes.

What's the Cost in 2025?

Solar panel costs have fallen dramatically over the past decade, and quality systems are now more accessible than ever. At Maybury Energy Services, our solar PV installations start from £4,999 for a fully MCS certified system using tier-1 panels. We offer flexible finance options for those who'd prefer to spread the cost.

We provide a full, detailed written quote following your free property survey — covering panel specification, expected generation, bill savings, and payback period. No pressure, no obligation.