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Solar panels

Solar finance, subscriptions and buying outright

Buying panels outright usually gives the largest saving, because you keep all the value of the electricity and export payments. Finance and lease deals spread or remove the upfront cost, but some of the value goes to the lender or provider.

Updated 3 October 2026 · energy.org.uk editorial team

The main options

  • Buying outright. You pay the installed price and keep all the savings and export income. The solar calculator shows the payback on your quote.
  • Installer finance or a loan. Some installers spread the cost over several years, sometimes at low or zero interest. Banks, councils and others may also lend. Interest adds to the cost, so the payback is longer.
  • Roof leases ("rent-a-roof" or "free solar"). A company owns the panels on your roof for a long period, often 20 to 25 years. You get some free electricity, but the company usually keeps the export payments.
  • Subscriptions. Some companies install and maintain panels for a monthly fee. Compare the fee with the value of the electricity the panels would give you.

Solar panel installation has a 0% VAT rate until 31 March 2027, whichever way you pay.

Check

What to check first

  • The total you will pay, including interest and fees, not just the monthly amount.
  • Who owns the panels, and who keeps the export payments.
  • What happens when you sell your home. A lease runs with the roof, and buyers and their lenders may need to agree to it.
  • Maintenance and inverter replacement: who pays, and when.
  • Cancellation rights, and whether the deal is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Do

Practical next steps

  1. Work out the yearly value of panels for your home in the solar calculator.
  2. Compare the total cost of each option with that value over the same number of years.
  3. Get quotes for buying outright as well, and compare them in the solar quote checker.
  4. Check for grants if you are on a low income; see the support finder.

Take care

Important limitations

  • Finance terms vary widely; read the agreement, not just the advert.
  • A lease can complicate selling or remortgaging your home.
  • We don't compare finance providers or rates.

Related tools and guides

Sources

Official sources checked 3 October 2026.