Solar Panel Installers in Brighton and Hove

Solar panel installers in Brighton and Hove

Solar Base Energy matches you with solar panel installers in Brighton who hold MCS certification. We are a free referral service, so we never fit the panels ourselves. You send one short form, and then an MCS-certified installer contacts you.

We start with the battery, because it decides how much of your solar power you keep. It stores spare midday power for the evening. Our guide to Octopus battery storage tariffs shows how cheap night rates can help a battery earn its place.

What a 4 kWp array makes in Brighton and Hove

The European Commission's PVGIS tool estimates that a 4 kWp array here makes about 4,624 kWh a year. That assumes a south-facing roof at 35 degrees with 14% system losses. For comparison, PVGIS gives Bradford 3,739 kWh for the same array, so this figure is about a quarter higher.

A strong yield makes a system more appealing, yet roof shape still decides the result. Your own roof may differ from the model, therefore a survey matters.

Brighton and Hove homes, roofs and planning

Census 2021 shows a city of flats. The Office for National Statistics counts 50.0% of homes as flats, 19.8% as terraced and 19.7% as semi-detached. Detached houses make up 10.3%.

With half of homes in flats, shared roofs are common. In England, solar on a block of flats is generally permitted development, although conditions apply. However, flat owners should speak to the freeholder early, because the roof belongs to the building.

Brighton and Hove City Council reported 33 conservation areas in 2019, so we say the city has over 30. Brunswick Town and Cliftonville were the first two designated. In a conservation area, panels on a wall facing the street are restricted, while roof slopes are usually fine. Listed buildings always need consent, and the rules changed on 27 August 2026.

Many of the city's older buildings were not designed for panels, so a survey is a sensible first step. For instance, an installer can check the roof structure and the position of any chimneys. Then the quote can reflect the real roof rather than a guess.

Grid connection and export payments

Your installer tells the local network operator about the system, or applies for approval first, depending on its size. Therefore you do not need to deal with the operator yourself. Ask for written confirmation that it has been done, because you may need proof later.

The Smart Export Guarantee needs an MCS-certified system and a smart meter. Each supplier sets its own rate, so compare offers. For example, in October 2026 the Octopus open tariff paid 4.1p per kWh. British Gas paid 3p to non-customers.

Grants, costs and payback

Brighton and Hove belongs to a consortium named on the government's Warm Homes: Local Grant list. The grant is for low-income households in England in homes rated EPC band D to G. Because you apply through the council, check with it before you assume you qualify.

Most homeowners pay for their own system. Installing solar is currently VAT-free at 0% until 31 March 2027, and it is due to revert to 5% after that. Government data for 2025/26 puts small systems at around £1,700 to £1,800 per kW. For more, read our guide to solar battery cost and the one on solar panel payback periods.

Questions to ask before you sign

Ask each installer for a written design that shows the number of panels and the expected output. Then ask which battery it proposes and why. Because designs differ, a clear written plan makes quotes easier to compare.

Ask who handles the paperwork, including the notice to the network operator. Ask also what warranty comes with the panels, the inverter and the battery. Get the terms in writing, since we cannot promise any warranty for you.

Choosing an installer in Brighton and Hove

Choose an MCS-certified installer, because you need that certification for export payments. MCS installers follow MIS 3002 for panels and MIS 3012 for batteries. Our page on MCS-certified installations explains how to check a firm.

Compare itemised quotes from more than one firm, since prices vary. RECC members follow a consumer code that says deposits should be no more than 25% of the contract price. Still, read the whole contract before you sign it.

Tariffs, packages and monitoring

A smart tariff can cut the cost of charging a battery. For instance, Intelligent Octopus Go charges 7.6p per kWh overnight for an eligible car or charger, according to Octopus in October 2026. Our page on smart tariff optimisation explains how this works with storage.

If you want panels and a battery together, see our solar and battery packages page. Neighbours can also read about solar installers in London and battery installers serving Southampton. Both follow the same matching process.