Solar panels in Greater Manchester: costs, savings and what to expect

How much do solar panels cost in Greater Manchester?

Prices depend on your roof, how much electricity you use and whether you add a battery. As a guide, Tier 1 Solar's packages (panels, inverter and battery storage, supplied and fitted) start from:

• £3,950 for a typical two-bedroom home
• £4,950 for a typical three-bedroom home
• £7,250 for a typical four-bedroom home

Larger homes, homes with an electric car and homes planning a heat pump usually benefit from more panels and more storage. Our online calculator gives an indicative price, saving and payback in under a minute.

How much electricity will solar panels generate here?

Panels run on daylight, not heat. In Greater Manchester a south-facing system typically produces around 850kWh a year for every kW of panels; east–west roofs produce a little less but spread generation across the day. Output is strongest from April to September and much lower in December and January.

Do I need a battery?

Without a battery, much of your solar is exported for a low rate while you're out, and you buy electricity back at full price in the evening. A battery stores the surplus for later, and in winter it can charge on a cheap overnight tariff. Up to 73% savings have been achieved with batteries alone.

Grid connection: Electricity North West

Electricity North West runs the local network across Greater Manchester. Smaller systems are connected and notified afterwards (G98); larger systems need approval before connection (G99). Your installer should handle this for you, and we do.

Planning permission

Most roof-mounted panels on houses in England are permitted development. Listed buildings and some conservation areas (there are many across Greater Manchester) have extra rules, so check before you commit. We check for you at survey.

VAT and export payments

• Solar panels and batteries installed in homes currently have 0% VAT (due to run until 31 March 2027).
• The Smart Export Guarantee pays you for electricity you export; rates vary by supplier.
• You'll normally need an MCS certificate for your installation to receive export payments.

Choosing an installer in Greater Manchester

1. 1Local and reachableAftercare matters for 25 years. Choose someone nearby.
2. 2Designed from your usageAsk whether the system is sized from your bills or just from the roof.
3. 3Clear guaranteesKnow which guarantee applies to panels, batteries, inverter and workmanship.
4. 4No pressureBe wary of 'today only' prices. A good quote will still be good next week.