Solar ROI by Property Type

By Home Solar Guide Team||money
Independently written | Plain-English guide
Solar ROI by property type
Detached: 12-15%. Semi: 10-13%. Terrace: 8-11%. All profitable.

What would this actually cost at your home?

Installed prices vary widely by roof, access and region. Get an installed price for your property from MCS-certified installers.

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By property
Detached
Semi
Terrace

What would this actually cost at your home?

Installed prices vary widely by roof, access and region. Get an installed price for your property from MCS-certified installers.

Get an Installed Price

Which property type gets the best solar ROI?

Solar panel ROI by UK property type: DETACHED HOUSE: Typical system: 5-6kW (13-15 panels). Cost: £7,000-£9,000. Annual savings: £850-£1,200. Annual ROI: 12-15%. Payback: 7-10 years. Advantage: largest roof, most panels, highest total savings. SEMI-DETACHED: System: 3.5-4.5kW (9-11 panels). Cost: £5,500-£7,500. Savings: £580-£850. ROI: 10-13%. Payback: 8-11 years. Good balance of cost and return. TERRACED: System: 2.5-3.5kW (6-9 panels). Cost: £4,000-£6,000. Savings: £380-£600. ROI: 8-11%. Payback: 9-13 years. Smaller roof limits system size but still profitable. BUNGALOW: System: 4-5kW (10-13 panels). Cost: £5,500-£7,500. Savings: £680-£950. ROI: 11-14%. Payback: 7-10 years. Large roof area relative to floor space. Retiree occupants = high daytime self-consumption. FLAT: Limited options — shared roof, need freeholder permission. Individual flat solar: rarely possible. Community solar schemes: emerging alternative. Sources: English Housing Survey (gov.uk), PVGIS, Ofgem, MCS installer data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related: Home Heating Systems

Solar panels are most powerful when combined with an efficient heating system. Heat pumps use solar-generated electricity to heat your home at 300-400% efficiency — making them the ideal partner for solar.

heat pump running costs in the UK

Heat pumps use electricity at 300-400% efficiency, making them ideal partners for solar.

From our sister site Home Heat Pump Guide

What would this actually cost at your home?

Installed prices vary widely by roof, access and region. Get an installed price for your property from MCS-certified installers.

Get an Installed Price

Free, no obligation. Takes about 2 minutes.