Questions we get asked in west scotland.
Grants, VAT, weather, planning, payback. If yours isn't here, ring us and we'll tell you straight.
Do solar panels actually work in Scotland?
Yes. Panels generate from daylight, not heat, and a 2020 University of Edinburgh study measured Edinburgh's average output at 10.6 kWh per day against London's 12.2 kWh, only 13% less. Scotland's long summer days offset the short winter ones, and a battery lets you use midsummer surplus in the evening instead of exporting it for pennies. The west coast is wetter, but panels generate on bright cloud as well as sun and the Gulf Stream keeps winters mild, so a battery that banks every bright spell is what makes the numbers work here.
Is a battery worth it in Scotland?
For most homes, yes. Without a battery around half of what you generate is exported at 15, 18p per kWh while you buy it back in the evening at the price-cap rate of 26.32p. A battery stores the daytime surplus for the evening peak, and on a smart tariff it can also charge overnight at off-peak rates in winter.
Is there a grant or loan for solar panels in Scotland in 2026?
Not for solar PV itself. The Home Energy Scotland grant and loan stopped covering solar panels and batteries on 6 June 2024 and has not been reinstated. What you do get is 0% VAT on the whole installation until 31 March 2027 (it rises to 5% after), Smart Export Guarantee payments for electricity you export, and, if you are on qualifying benefits, ECO4 may cover solar alongside electric heating until the end of 2026.
How much do solar panels cost in Scotland?
Across the UK the average installed system cost was £6,665 in March 2026, about £1,668 per kW. Our example Solar + Battery package, a 4.3kW array with a 5.1kWh battery, is £8,995 fully installed. Every quote we send is one number with scaffold, electrical work, commissioning and certification included.
Can you install in a tenement or a four-in-a-block?
Four-in-a-block homes each own their own roof section, so installs are simple. Tenements need agreement from the other owners and the factor, and we can handle that process with you.
Can you do a tenement in Glasgow?
Yes, with the other owners and the factor on board. The roof is shared, so you need their agreement and the panels have to sit on the section your title covers. Four-in-a-block homes are simpler: you own your roof section and can go ahead on your own.
Do you go beyond Glasgow and Ayrshire?
Daily across Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Lanarkshire and Ayrshire. Dumfries and Galloway, Argyll, Lochaber and Arran are done on planned runs with a few jobs grouped together. Lead time is a little longer; the price is the same.
Do I need planning permission for solar panels in Scotland?
Usually not. Roof-mounted solar on a house is permitted development in Scotland provided the panels do not project more than 1 metre from the roof and the building is not listed. Conservation areas and the Loch Lomond & Trossachs and Cairngorms National Parks have extra rules, and we check the boundary and prepare any drawings for you.
What is the Smart Export Guarantee and can I get it?
The SEG pays you for every kWh you export to the grid. Rates in September 2026 run from about 15p to 25p per kWh depending on supplier, and you need a smart meter plus an MCS or Flexi-Orb certificate for the installation. All installations are commissioned and certified through our MCS-registered partner, so you qualify for Smart Export Guarantee payments.
How long does the installation take?
Scaffold goes up the day before, and most residential installs are completed in 1 day. Larger systems or complex roofs can take two. Your smart meter and export tariff application follow once the commissioning certificate is issued.
What happens in winter?
December output is roughly a fifth of June's. Your design accounts for that, and with a battery on a smart tariff you can fill it overnight at off-peak prices, so the battery still saves you money on the darkest days.
What warranties do I get?
Panels carry a 25-year performance warranty, batteries 10 years, and our own workmanship is guaranteed for 5 years.
Want the long version?
The 2026 guide covers costs, savings, export rates, grants and planning for west scotland in one place.