Will prices keep falling?

Marginally — 1-3%/yr at most. The 90% drop (2010-2020) was a one-time manufacturing scale-up. Panel prices are near their manufacturing floor. Labour and scaffolding costs are stable or rising slightly.

Was the energy crisis price increase permanent?

Mostly corrected — 2022 prices were inflated by demand surge and supply shortage. 2026 prices are 15-20% below the 2022 peak but 10-15% above 2020 lows. The 'new normal' is £1,400-£1,700/kW.

Solar Prices: 2015 vs 2020 vs 2026

By Home Solar Guide Team|Updated 19 March 2026|money

Independently written | Evidence-based | Sources cited

Solar price history — 2015: £7,000. 2020: £5,500. 2022: £8,000 (crisis). 2026: £6,500.

Find out how much you could save

Answer a few questions and receive personalised solar quotes — completely free.

Start My Quote

Free, no obligation. Takes 2 minutes.

Ready to see how much you could save?

Get 3 free quotes from MCS-certified installers in your area.

Get Free Quotes

How have solar panel prices changed?

UK solar panel price history for a typical 4kW residential system: 2010: £12,000-£15,000. Panels expensive. FIT incentive justified the cost. 2013: £8,000-£10,000. Panels dropping rapidly. Still FIT era. 2015: £6,500-£7,500. Panel prices continuing to fall. FIT rates cut. 2018: £5,500-£6,500. Near historic low. Pre-FIT-closure rush. 2020: £5,000-£6,000. Historic low. COVID briefly slowed demand. 5% VAT. 2022: £7,000-£9,000. ENERGY CRISIS SURGE. Demand tripled, supply chains strained, prices rose 25-35%. 0% VAT introduced April 2022. 2023: £6,500-£8,500. Prices easing from crisis peak. Supply chains recovered. 2026: £5,500-£7,500. Stabilised. 0% VAT continues. Panels cheaper but labour costs higher. NON-LINEAR TREND: Prices dropped 60% from 2010-2020, then rose 25% during the energy crisis, then partially corrected. The 2026 price reflects a mature market with stable costs. Sources: BEIS Solar PV Cost data (gov.uk), Solar Energy UK surveys, IRENA Renewable Cost Database (irena.org/costs).