Solar Panel Installation in Reigate & Redhill

For a typical three or four-bedroom home in Reigate or Redhill, most people install a 4kW or 5kW system. On our current guide prices, a 4kW system costs £6,500 to £8,000, and a 5kW system costs £7,500 to £9,500, including 0% VAT. Smaller 3kW systems start from around £5,000, and battery storage typically adds £3,000 to £6,000. Scaffolding access, roof type and any electrical upgrades can move the price up or down, which is why we confirm a fixed figure after a free survey. Our 2026 cost guide explains what is included.

The government does not currently offer a general grant for solar panels on privately owned homes. However, you do not pay VAT on residential solar installations, and the Smart Export Guarantee pays you for surplus electricity. Reigate and Banstead residents have previously been able to use the Surrey-wide Solar Together group-buying scheme, and it is worth checking the council website for any future rounds — although you do not need to wait for a scheme to get a competitive fixed quote from us. Some lower-income households may qualify for energy company funding. See our guide to solar grants and schemes for more.

Usually not. Solar panels on the roof of a house are generally permitted development, provided they do not project more than 0.2 metres from the roof slope and do not rise above the highest part of the roof. There are exceptions. Listed buildings need listed building consent, some conservation areas are covered by Article 4 directions that remove certain permitted development rights, and panels on a wall facing a road in a conservation area need permission. Flats, commercial buildings and ground-mounted arrays have different rules. We check the planning position for your address before you commit.

Generally, no. About 70% of Reigate and Banstead is Green Belt, but Green Belt policy is aimed at controlling new buildings, not improvements to existing homes, so rooftop panels on a house are normally still permitted development. The same applies to homes within the Surrey Hills National Landscape on the slopes around Reigate Hill and Gatton, although panels on a wall facing a road are restricted there. Ground-mounted systems in the Green Belt or National Landscape are more likely to need planning permission. We will advise you on the best approach for your property.

Yes, but with more care. Many homes within Reigate and Banstead’s 21 conservation areas, such as Reigate town centre, Reigate Hill and Wray Common, can have rooftop solar, particularly on rear or side slopes that are not visible from the street. Listed buildings, including converted listed buildings such as those at Royal Earlswood Park, will need listed building consent, and flats will usually need agreement from the freeholder or management company. We can suggest discreet options such as all-black panels. Our guide to solar on listed buildings explains the consent process.

A home solar system connected to the grid does not stop you using any of your normal appliances. When your panels are not producing enough, the shortfall is drawn from the grid automatically. The question matters more for off-grid systems, where high-power items such as electric showers, kettles, ovens and tumble dryers can exceed what the panels or battery can supply at one time. With a grid-connected system, the practical tip is to run dishwashers, washing machines and similar appliances during sunny hours to use more of your own solar power.

A standard solar system automatically shuts down during a grid power cut. This is a safety requirement to protect engineers working on the network. If you want power during an outage, you need a battery with a backup or emergency power function, which can keep either selected circuits or, in some cases, your whole home running. Backup does require specific equipment and wiring, so it is worth mentioning at your survey if this is important to you.

Most homes in Reigate and Redhill are completed in one day, with scaffolding usually put up a day or two before and taken down shortly after. Larger systems, installations that include battery storage or an EV charger, and homes that need consumer unit upgrades can take two days. Your electricity will only be switched off for a short period while we connect the system, and we will let you know the timings in advance.

The right size depends on your annual electricity use, how much suitable roof space you have and your budget. As a rough guide, a household using around 2,700 kWh a year might suit a 3–4kW system, while a larger family using 4,000 kWh or more, or charging an electric car, might suit 5–6kW or more. Split east and west roofs, common on hipped houses, may need more panels to achieve the same output as a single south-facing slope. We use your actual bills to recommend the right size.

For most homes with a suitable roof, yes. Electricity prices remain much higher than they were a few years ago, and a well-designed system can typically pay for itself in about 6 to 8 years, then keep generating for 25 years or more. Solar works best if you can use a good share of the power yourself, whether that means working from home, running appliances during the day, charging an EV or adding a battery. Heavily shaded roofs, very small roof areas or a plan to move soon can make it less attractive, and we will tell you honestly if that applies to you.

Yes. We install home batteries from established manufacturers, including models that can keep essential circuits running during a power cut. It can be fitted at the same time as new solar panels or added to an existing system. Backup capability is not essential for everyone, so we compare the options based on your evening usage, backup needs and budget. You can read more on our battery storage page and in our UK solar battery guide.

Just call 01273 455 695 or fill in our online enquiry form. We will arrange a survey at a time that suits you anywhere in Reigate, Redhill, Merstham, Earlswood, Salfords or the nearby villages, and then send you a written proposal with a fixed price. The survey and quote are completely free.