Solar Panels Cardiff: Costs, Savings & Local Data
How much can solar panels save you in Cardiff?
A typical 4kW solar panel system in Cardiff generates around 3,840 kWh per year, saving you approximately £587 annually on electricity bills and export payments. With 1,530 hours of sunshine per year, most Cardiff homeowners see payback within 10–13 years.
A typical 4kW solar system in Cardiff can save you around £587 per year on electricity bills, with a payback period that makes it a strong long-term financial investment. Combined with the Smart Export Guarantee and 0% VAT, the financial case for solar in Cardiff is compelling.
Cardiff enjoys around 1,530 hours of sunshine per year, benefiting from its position on the south coast of Wales. The city has a varied housing stock including Victorian terraces in areas like Pontcanna and Canton, post-war semis in Llanishen and Rhiwbina, and newer builds in Cardiff Bay. Solar panels work well on most Cardiff rooftops, and the Welsh Government has been actively supportive of renewable energy uptake in residential properties.
Solar panel key figures for Cardiff
1,530 hrs
Annual sunshine hours
HSG regional figure — no primary source recorded
4,024–4,292 kWh
Annual generation (4kW)
PVGIS CF postcode area, 1039 kWh/kWp ±3%
£592
Annual savings (4kW)
At 26.11p/kWh + SEG
12 years
Estimated payback
£7,120 national DESNZ median, not a Cardiff price
Solar panel output and savings by system size in Cardiff
Generation and savings below are modelled for Cardiff's location, using a regional solar yield of 1039 kWh/kWp on a south-facing roof with no shading.
The installed cost column is a national figure, not a Cardiff price. It is the DESNZ median of £1,780.25 per kW for systems up to 4 kW, derived from the MCS Installation Database and covering England, Scotland and Wales. No official dataset publishes installed costs at city level, and we will not imply one exists. Half of real installations cost more than the median.
| System Size | Panels | Cost | Annual Saving | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 kW | ~8 panels | £5,340 | £477 | ~11 years |
| 4 kW | ~10 panels | £7,120 | £636 | ~11 years |
| 5 kW | ~13 panels | £8,480 | £795 | ~11 years |
Solar energy in Cardiff: local context
Wales benefits from the Welsh Government's active support for renewable energy. The varied landscape means solar performance differs between the sunnier south coast and the hillier inland areas, but most Welsh homes can benefit from solar.
Welsh homeowners may benefit from additional support through the Welsh Government's energy schemes, alongside the UK-wide Smart Export Guarantee and 0% VAT.
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Frequently asked questions about solar panels in Cardiff
Solar panels in nearby areas
Showing areas near Cardiff. Solar conditions vary by location.
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