Solar panel installation

Solar panels work by using the photovoltaic effect, which means PV cells convert absorbed sunlight energy into electricity. The steps are:

1. Sunlight shines on the solar panel

2. The PV cells absorb the sunlight energy

3. The PV cells convert light into direct current (DC) electricity

4. The DC energy passes to inverter which converts it to alternating current (AC)

5. The current is routed through a meter and then into your home's electrical circuit

Check our BOXT's guide on how solar panels work for more information.

With solar panels, you'll need to consider the cost to buy the panels, the cost to install them, and if you would like solar battery storage too.

For solar panels plus installation, BOXT prices start from £3,799. You can also choose to pay monthly from £26.89, or Buy Now Pay Later from £63.44, deferring by 3 or 6 months.

The size of your solar panel system will determine the cost. BOXT solar experts will work with you online to configure your new solar system including the panel count, battery options and inverter capacity to suit your needs.

A 4kW solar panel system is most common for UK households, costing between £6,000 and £7,000. This is for around 16 panels, covering approximately 29 square metres of your roof.

Alternatively, A 3kW system, often used for households of two to three people, costs between £3,000 and £5,000, needs around 12 panels and takes up about 22 square metres of roof space.

Check out our guide on solar panel costs for more information.

To work out how many solar panels you need, as a general guide we recommend the following to cover your average electricity usage per the number of people in your home:

• 8 panels for a 2 person household (3kW system)

• 10 panels for a 3 person household (4kW system)

• 12 panels for a 4 person household (5kW system)

• 14 panels for a 5+ person household (6kW system)

You can use our solar panel calculator to calculate your potential energy savings or get a quote online for more accurate information. 

Solar panels can be a worthwhile investment for your home as they can help to save money on your energy bills, reduce your carbon footprint, and increase your home's value.

Solar panels allow you to generate your own electricity and become less reliant on the national grid. You can even earn more money by selling unused energy back to the grid through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).

With options to pay monthly or Buy Now Pay Later, we've made it as affordable as possible to start your solar journey.

Calculate how much money your home could save on energy bills with solar panels with BOXT's solar quote tool.

Yes, solar panels can increase your home's value, with homes with solar panels selling for up to 14% more than those without solar panels.

Generally, solar-equipped homes have better energy efficiency ratings than those with no solar panels installed, which also means the monthly bills are cheaper to run. MoneySupermarket found that improving your home’s energy efficiency rating from a G to an A rating can boost your property value by up to 14%.

Learn more about increasing your home's value with solar panels.

Generally, no you don't need planning permission for solar panels. To meet planning guidelines:

• Solar panels must be installed below the roof’s ridgeline — that’s the top horizontal line where the sloping sides of your roof meet.

• Once in place, panels should not protrude more than 200mm from the surface of your roof or wall.

• For ground-mounted panels, the system must be no larger than 9 square metres, no taller than 4 metres, and must be at least 5 metres away from any property boundary.

Homes that do require planning permission for solar panels:

1. Flat-roofed buildings - but not needed if you meet points 1 & 2 above. 

2. Listed buildings

3. Conservation areas

We install and notify building control as part of our handover.

Learn more from our guide on planning permission and building regulations for solar panels.