Pier Solar designs solar panel systems for homes and small businesses in London. We write the specification, and vetted MCS-certified partners carry out the install. London roofs vary a great deal, so every design starts with the roof in front of us.
London also has an unusual planning map. Each of the 32 borough councils and the City of London runs its own planning service, so the answer on a conservation area depends on your borough.
Solar output in London and what it means for a 4 kWp system
The EU's PVGIS tool models a well-placed 1 kWp of panels in London at about 1,030 kWh a year. A typical 4 kWp system is about nine or ten modern panels. At the ideal angle, that adds up to roughly 4,120 kWh a year.
Real roofs are rarely at the ideal angle, therefore expect a little less. A south-facing roof at a 30 to 45 degree pitch is ideal, while east or west roofs typically still make about 80%. These are modelled estimates, not guarantees.
A typical home uses about 2,500 kWh of electricity a year, according to Ofgem. A 4 kWp system makes more than that over twelve months. However, you only save money on the units you use at home, so the size and timing matter.
Homes, roofs and planning in London
Many London homes are flats or terraces, and that shapes the design. Flats follow a separate set of planning rules, so ask the freeholder and the council. A shared roof also needs the owner's agreement before any survey starts.
In England, panels on a pitched roof can stick out no more than 20 cm and must stay below the highest point. On a flat roof, panels can usually rise no more than 60 cm above the roof, under the rules in force since 27 August 2026. In a conservation area, panels on street-facing walls are restricted, so check with the council first. A listed building, however, needs consent before you add solar panels. A council can also remove these rights in a local area with an Article 4 direction. Your borough planning team can confirm what applies to your street.
Some London boroughs have joined Solar Together London, a group-buying scheme run with the Mayor of London and the firm iChoosr. Whether a round is open depends on your borough. Check your council's page before you commit to a quote.
How a Pier Solar project runs in London
Pier Solar designs the system and writes the specification, while vetted MCS-certified partners then survey the roof and install it. We cover bespoke solar system design and panel and inverter installation for homes and small businesses.
Design comes first. We model your roof, your shading and your daily use, then compare layouts. In a dense street, shading from neighbours often decides the layout more than the roof's direction.
A competent person must check your roof can carry the panels before installation, because safety comes first. Your installer then fits the system and tests it. Small systems up to 3.68 kW per phase are notified to the network operator within 28 days of installation. Bigger systems need network operator approval before the installer connects them. A typical 4 kWp single-phase home sits above that line, so approval often comes first. Your installer normally handles the paperwork.
Your installer should give you an MCS certificate within about ten working days of finishing. You normally need that certificate to be paid under the Smart Export Guarantee. Additionally, Pier Solar arranges an extended workmanship warranty, on top of the manufacturer product warranties.
Costs, savings and export in London
A typical 4 to 4.5 kWp home system typically costs roughly £6,000 to £8,000 installed, based on government cost data. The Energy Saving Trust puts payback in London at around 9 years in its example. Installed prices fell again in 2025/26, according to government data.
Installing solar panels in a home in Great Britain is currently VAT-free, until 31 March 2027. From 1 April 2027 the rate is due to return to 5%, unless the government changes it. Each supplier sets its own export rate under the Smart Export Guarantee, therefore compare tariffs before you choose.
Our guide to what solar panels cost in the UK explains the price ranges in more detail. To weigh the whole decision, read whether solar panels are worth it in the UK. Once the system is running, solar panel maintenance and cleaning keeps output steady.
Nearby areas we cover
If you are outside the capital, we also design systems nearby. See our page on solar panel installation in Brighton for the south coast. For homes north of London, see solar panel installation in Milton Keynes.
Ready to talk? Send your details through our online enquiry form. We will review your roof, your use and your plans before we suggest a design, because every roof is different.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Most London homes in England can add panels without a planning application, within the limits above. Conservation areas, listed buildings and Article 4 areas are different, so check with your borough first. Flats follow separate rules.
- Often yes, but you need the freeholder's agreement and the roof must be suitable. Flats follow a separate set of planning rules, so ask the freeholder and the council. We can design for a shared roof once access is agreed.
- PVGIS models about 4,120 kWh a year at the ideal angle, based on 1,030 kWh per kWp. A real roof typically makes less, depending on pitch, direction and shade.
- Your installer normally handles the network operator application or notification. Bigger systems need approval before they connect.