Solar panels and battery storage costs in Glasgow

What makes up the cost of a solar and battery system

A typical battery-first system has four cost components. Understanding them helps you see why two houses on the same street can need quite different systems — and why a proper survey matters more than a ballpark figure.

Solar panels

The number of panels depends on your roof area, its orientation and pitch, and how much generation you need to fill your battery. More panels generally mean more stored energy, but only up to the point your battery and usage can absorb. We size panels to the battery, not the other way round.

Battery storage

Battery capacity is the single biggest variable. A small battery might cover evening lights and appliances; a larger one can run heating or an electric vehicle charger through the night. We base the capacity on your daily usage and your goals — covering evening demand, charging an EV, or making the most of an overnight tariff.

Inverter

The inverter converts the direct current from your panels into the alternating current your home uses, and manages battery charging and discharging. A hybrid inverter handles both in one unit and is usually the cleanest choice for a new system. If you are adding a battery to existing solar, we assess whether your current inverter can be retained or needs replacing.

Installation and scaffolding

Roof work usually requires scaffolding, and the electrical installation includes running cables, fitting the inverter and battery, and connecting everything to your consumer unit. Complexity — roof access, distance from the roof to the battery location, any consumer unit upgrades — affects the installation cost.

0% VAT on solar panels and batteries

From 1 February 2024 until 31 March 2027, 0% VAT applies to the supply and installation of solar panels and qualifying battery storage in residential properties. In plain terms: no VAT is added to the work. Your written quote will reflect this — the price you see is the price you pay.

This applies whether you are installing a complete new system or adding a battery to existing solar panels. After March 2027, the rate is scheduled to return to 5% for residential installations, but we will quote at the rate that applies at the time of your installation.

Adding a battery to existing solar

If you already have panels, the cost is lower than a full system because you are not paying for panels and their roof installation. The main variables are the battery itself, whether your current inverter needs to be replaced or supplemented, and the electrical work to connect the battery.

We assess your existing setup — inverter model, generation history, and how your household uses power — before recommending a battery size and the most cost-effective way to integrate it.

Finance and spreading the cost

Loans available, subject to status. Finance options can be discussed as part of your quote, so you can spread the cost of a system over time. We do not advertise specific loan amounts or terms here because what is available depends on your circumstances at the time. Your surveyor will explain the current options and you can decide what, if anything, suits you.

Why we don't publish prices on this site

Solar and battery systems are not off-the-shelf products. A three-bedroom semi in Newton Mearns with a south-facing roof and a heat pump has very different needs from a tenement flat in Partick with limited roof space. Publishing a single price — or even a range — tends to mislead rather than inform.

Instead, we arrange a no-obligation survey: we look at your roof, your electrical setup and your usage, then give you a written quote for exactly the system your home needs. You are under no pressure to accept it.