Knowledge Hub
Solar guides
Honest, in-depth answers to the questions South Coast homeowners actually ask — no hype, no jargon.
Cost & Savings
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost on the South Coast? (2026)
On the South Coast, a typical 4kW home solar system costs from around £5,000-£7,000, a 6kW system from about £7,500-£10,000, and adding a battery roughly £3,000-£5,000 more. Strong Solent irradiance (1,050-1,150 kWh/kWp) means most Hampshire, Sussex and Dorset homes pay back in 7-11 years.
Read the guide →Batteries & Storage
Best Solar Battery UK 2026: Buyer's Guide
For most UK homes in 2026, the best solar battery is the one matched to your usage, roof and budget. Tesla Powerwall 3 leads on whole-home backup and a built-in inverter, Sigenergy on modular flexibility, while Fox ESS and GoodWe offer strong value. Aim for 5-13kWh of usable storage.
Read the guide →EV Charging
Home EV Charger Installation: The Complete Guide
A home EV charger installation typically costs from £800-£1,400 fitted, depending on cable run and electrical work. A 7kW smart charger is standard for most homes. Your installer notifies the DNO (SSEN or UKPN) afterwards, and pairing the charger with solar lets you charge your car on free daytime sunshine.
Read the guide →Local & Regional
Solar Panels on the South Coast: The Complete Regional Guide
The South Coast is one of the UK's best regions for solar, with Solent irradiance of roughly 1,050–1,150 kWh/kWp — well above the national average. Your grid connection runs through SSEN (Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Dorset) or UK Power Networks (Sussex and most of Surrey), and conservation-area rules apply in towns like Chichester, Winchester and Brighton.
Read the guide →Panels & Tech
Best Solar Panels UK 2026: Aiko, DMEGC & More Compared
The best solar panels for most UK homes are high-efficiency monocrystalline modules from reputable makers like Aiko, DMEGC and Astronergy. On the South Coast, where irradiance reaches 1,050-1,150 kWh/kWp, panel choice matters less than correct sizing, sound roof orientation and a quality MCS install.
Read the guide →Grants & Planning
Solar Panel Grants & Planning on the South Coast (2026)
Most South Coast homeowners pay 0% VAT on solar and battery installs and need no planning permission under permitted development. Means-tested grants (ECO4, Warm Homes Local Grant) and group-buy schemes like Solar Together Hampshire help eligible households. Conservation areas and listed buildings have extra rules but rarely an outright ban.
Read the guide →Cost & Savings
Smart Export Guarantee Rates 2026: Getting Paid for Solar Export
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) pays you for surplus solar electricity you export to the grid. As of 2026, leading tariffs pay roughly 15p-27p per kWh, set by each supplier rather than the government. You need an MCS-certified install and a smart export meter, and you can hold your export tariff with a different supplier from your import one.
Read the guide →Grants & Planning
Solar Planning Permission & Grid Connection on the South Coast (2026)
Most South Coast roof solar is permitted development and needs no planning application, provided panels project no more than 200mm and sit below the roof ridge. Conservation areas, listed buildings and highway-facing slopes are the exceptions. Separately, your system needs a G98 or G99 grid connection through SSEN or UK Power Networks — SCSS handles both.
Read the guide →Ready to cut your bills with solar?
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