If you are researching solar panels for your Devon home or business, one of the first questions you will ask is: how much does it actually cost? The short answer is that the price depends on the size of system your property needs, but the figure that matters most is not the upfront cost alone. It is what you save each year once the panels are generating.
Devon is one of the best places in the UK to go solar, and this guide explains why. We will walk through what affects the cost of a solar installation, what you get for your money, how the savings work out for a Devon property specifically, and what to look for when comparing quotes.
What affects the cost of solar panels in Devon?
There is no single price for a solar installation because every property is different. The main factors that shape your quote are:
System size. Solar panels are measured in kilowatts peak (kWp). A smaller system suitable for a one or two-bedroom home generates less electricity than a larger system designed for a four-bedroom house with an electric vehicle or high daytime usage. More panels and a larger inverter mean a higher upfront cost, but also greater generation and savings.
Roof type and complexity. A standard pitched, south-facing roof is the most straightforward installation. Flat roofs, multiple roof aspects, steep pitches, dormers, or Velux windows all add time and materials to the job. Scaffolding requirements vary significantly depending on access and roof height, and this can account for a meaningful difference between two quotes for the same system size.
Battery storage. Adding a solar battery to your system significantly increases the upfront cost but also increases the proportion of your own solar electricity you actually use. Without a battery, a typical household uses around 30 to 40 percent of what their panels generate. A well-sized battery can push that to 70 to 80 percent.
Inverter choice. A standard string inverter is the most common option. A hybrid inverter costs more but is designed to connect a battery now or later without additional major equipment. If you are planning to add storage in the future, a hybrid inverter is worth considering from the start.
Additional electrical work. Occasionally, older consumer units need upgrading before a solar installation can connect safely. For larger systems, a Distribution Network Operator (DNO) notification or application is also required, which your installer should handle as part of the process.
Why Devon is one of the best places in the UK for solar
The financial case for solar panels gets stronger the more sunlight your location receives, and Devon is exceptionally well placed. Devon receives substantially more sunlight than the great majority of UK counties, with Exeter receiving 1,237 kilowatt-hours per square metre on average per year, which is 13% higher than the national average.
Exeter sees 1,552 hours of sunshine annually, with peak months like May averaging 6.6 hours of daily sunshine, while December averages around 1.8 hours per day. Even in winter, modern panels continue to generate electricity from diffuse daylight rather than requiring direct sunshine.
The result of that extra irradiance is simple: a solar system installed in Devon generates more electricity per panel than the same system installed further north. That means your investment works harder and your payback period is shorter than it would be in most other parts of the country.
48,255 Devon households have had solar panels installed with a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certificate as of May 2024, meaning 10% of homes in the county have gone solar. That is more than double the UK average of 4.6%. Sunsave Devon homeowners have already recognised the advantage their location gives them.
One question we hear regularly is whether panels are worth it given Devon’s famous cloudy days and coastal mizzle. The answer is yes. Solar panels generate from light, not heat, and modern panels are designed to perform in diffuse conditions. Output is lower on overcast days than in full sun, but the system continues to generate and reduce your reliance on grid electricity year-round.
What is included in a solar installation quote?
Understanding what you are paying for helps you compare quotes fairly and spot anything that has been left out.
Panels and inverter. The core of the system. Most residential installations now use monocrystalline panels, which offer good efficiency and a long lifespan. The inverter converts the DC electricity generated by your panels into the AC electricity your home uses.
Mounting system and scaffolding. Panels are fixed to your roof using a mounting rail system. Scaffolding is required for safe working at height and is usually included in quotes for pitched roof installations, though the cost varies by property.
Electrical installation. The system connects to your consumer unit, and all wiring must be completed to the relevant standards. At M&E Contrax, this work is carried out by our in-house NICEIC-accredited electricians, which means you are not relying on a solar company subcontracting the electrical side to a third party.
DNO notification. For larger systems, your installer must notify or apply to your Distribution Network Operator before commissioning. We manage this process on your behalf.
MCS certification. All domestic installations should be completed by an MCS-certified installer and registered with MCS on completion. This certification is a requirement for accessing the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), the scheme that pays you for electricity your panels export to the grid.
How much could a Devon home save?
The savings from solar panels come from two sources: electricity you generate and use yourself (reducing what you buy from the grid), and electricity you export to the grid when your panels produce more than you need.
A Devon household with a 4.3kWp system produces around 4,811kWh per year, which is 12% more than the same system would generate in standard test conditions, thanks to Devon’s irradiance levels.
Self-consumption savings depend on how much of your solar electricity you use at home. Households with higher daytime usage, such as those with someone at home during the day, a heat pump, or an EV charger, naturally use more of what they generate. A battery extends self-consumption into evenings and early mornings.
Export income through the SEG varies by energy supplier and tariff. Rates change regularly, so it is worth comparing what different suppliers offer at the time you install. Your installer registers the system for SEG on your behalf once the MCS certificate is issued.
Over the life of a system, typically 25 or more years covered by the panel manufacturer warranty, the cumulative savings are substantial. If you live in Devon or on the South Coast, you will pay off your solar system faster than in most parts of the UK, thanks to higher irradiance reducing the payback period.
Is adding a battery worth it in Devon?
A solar battery stores the electricity your panels generate during the day so you can use it in the evening, at night, or on cloudy days rather than drawing from the grid.
Devon’s strong summer irradiance means panels often produce a significant surplus during long, bright days. Without a battery, that surplus is exported to the grid, earning you SEG income but at a lower rate than what you would save by using the electricity yourself. A battery captures that surplus and puts it to work later.
Whether a battery makes financial sense depends on your usage pattern, how much you pay per unit of electricity, and the size of the battery relative to your system. As a general principle, the more electricity you use in the evenings and the less you are at home during the day, the stronger the case for adding storage.
We cover this in more detail on our solar battery storage page, including the differences between AC and DC-coupled systems and what to consider when choosing a battery.
Are there any grants for solar panels in Devon?
There is no blanket government grant that covers solar panels for all homeowners, but several schemes can reduce the cost or help fund an installation depending on your circumstances.
ECO4. The Energy Company Obligation scheme funds energy efficiency improvements, including solar panels in some cases, for eligible low-income households. Eligibility is based on benefits receipt and your property’s EPC rating.
The Warm Homes Plan. The government’s Warm Homes Plan, published in January 2026, sets out a framework for wider support for solar, batteries, and heat pumps. Low or zero-interest loans are expected to become available for homeowners who do not qualify for fully funded schemes, though full delivery details are still being confirmed. You can read our full Warm Homes Plan guide for the latest position.
0% VAT on solar and battery storage. All domestic solar panel and battery storage installations are currently VAT-free. This is not a grant, but it represents a meaningful reduction in cost compared to the standard 20% VAT rate and currently runs until at least March 2027.
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Once your system is installed and MCS-certified, you are eligible to register for SEG payments. This is ongoing income for the life of your system, not a one-off contribution, so it is worth factoring into the overall value of going solar.
We can advise on eligibility and guide you through the process where schemes apply to your situation.
What to check before accepting a solar quote
Not all solar quotes are equal, and not all installers operate to the same standards. Here are five things worth verifying before you commit.
MCS certification. Your installer must hold MCS certification to issue an MCS-registered certificate on completion. Without this, you cannot access the SEG. Ask to see their MCS number before proceeding.
Electrical accreditation. The wiring installation should be carried out by a qualified electrician holding NICEIC or equivalent accreditation. If a solar company is not also an accredited electrical contractor, ask who is doing the electrical work and what their credentials are.
In-house or subcontracted installation. Local installers who use their own directly employed engineers are generally more accountable for the quality of work and ongoing aftercare than those who subcontract. Ask who will physically be on your roof.
Warranties. Check what is covered and for how long on panels (typically 25 years product and performance warranty), inverter (typically 10 to 12 years, extendable), and workmanship. Make sure the warranty terms are in writing in your quote.
DNO handling. For systems with export capacity above 3.68kW, a DNO application is required before commissioning. A thorough installer will ask about this at survey stage and factor it into the timeline. If the subject never comes up, that is worth querying.
M&E Contrax holds both MCS accreditation and NICEIC approval, and all electrical installation work is carried out by our in-house team. You can read more about what to look for when choosing an installer in our full guide to choosing a solar installer.
Planning permission and Devon-specific considerations
Most domestic solar panel installations fall under permitted development rights and do not require planning permission. There are exceptions worth knowing about if your property is in one of the areas below.
Dartmoor National Park. Properties within the National Park boundary may be subject to additional conditions under permitted development, and it is worth checking with Dartmoor National Park Authority before installation.
Conservation areas and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Devon has a significant number of designated conservation areas, particularly in coastal towns across South Devon and North Devon. Installations on the principal elevation of a building facing a highway may require consent in these areas.
Listed buildings. Listed building consent is required for solar installations on listed buildings regardless of location. This applies to a large number of properties across Devon, from farmhouses on Dartmoor to Georgian townhouses in Totnes.
If your property falls into any of these categories, we can advise on the planning position as part of your survey. In many cases, a suitable installation is still achievable.
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M&E Contrax is an MCS-accredited, NICEIC-approved solar installer based in Newton Abbot, with a directly employed installation and electrical team covering Devon and the wider South West. We have installed solar PV systems ranging from small domestic properties in Torquay through to large commercial rooftop systems, including a 47kW installation at a commercial site in Newton Abbot.
Whether you know exactly what you want or are just starting to explore your options, we will assess your property, your roof, and your energy usage in a no-obligation survey and give you a detailed, honest quote.
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