Thinking about solar panels in Northern Ireland? You're not alone — 2026 is already shaping up to be the biggest year ever for solar adoption across NI.
With electricity prices still high, battery storage becoming more affordable, and installation quality improving, more homeowners and businesses are finally switching to clean, reliable solar energy. This guide breaks down real NI costs, savings, payback times, what to expect, and how to get quotes from trusted MCS-certified installers. If you want straight answers with no sales pressure, you'll find everything you need right here.
Even with NI's typical cloudy weather, solar works extremely well here. In fact, Northern Ireland receives similar annual solar irradiation to Germany — which has one of the largest solar markets in the world.
Solar can reduce your annual bill by £800–£1,600, even higher if you add a battery.
There are no NI grants at the moment, but 0% VAT continues for domestic installations, making systems 20% cheaper than a few years ago.
New panels generate power in cloudy conditions, in winter, and even during light rain (not as much, but still meaningful).
Homes with solar typically sell faster and for more than homes without.
Most NI homeowners now choose a 5 kWh battery or 10 kWh battery with hybrid inverter setup. This increases your self-consumption dramatically.
Here are the real, current NI prices based on local installers:
| System Type | Typical Price | Annual Savings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kW Solar Only | £4,500–£6,000 | £800–£1,000 | Best for small homes |
| 4 kW + 5 kWh Battery | £7,000–£8,000 | £1,000–£1,300 | Most popular setup |
| 4 kW + 10 kWh Battery | £9,000–£10,500 | £1,200–£1,600 | For high usage homes |
| 6 kW + 10 kWh Battery | £11,000–£12,500 | £1,400–£1,800 | Larger homes |
| Commercial Solar (10–50 kW) | £18,000–£60,000+ | ROI < 5 years | Massive business ROI |
Important: Solar in NI is cheaper than England/Wales due to lower labour costs — but quality varies between installers, so always request MCS-certified quotes.
Most NI homeowners see payback in:
with a battery
without a battery
After that, your electricity is basically free. Batteries reduce your reliance on the grid, protect you from price hikes, and give you serious long-term savings.
Yes — extremely well.
NI is actually one of the best-value regions for solar payback in the UK. Lower install prices + strong performance = fast ROI.
Solar still generates on cloudy days, winter days, overcast weather, early morning & late afternoon. And with a battery, you can store every bit of surplus power.
Short answer: yes — in NI, battery solar makes far more sense.
Most homes choose 5–10 kWh, depending on family size and usage.
3–4 kW + 5 kWh battery
£6,500–£8,000
4–6 kW + 5–10 kWh battery
£8,000–£11,500
6 kW + 10 kWh battery
£10,000–£12,500
Businesses see huge benefits:
Commercial solar is exploding across NI in warehouses, factories, farms, retail units, and hospitality businesses.
Trusted MCS-certified installers operate across:
Wherever you are in NI, you can get fast local quotes.
If you're unsure — request multiple quotes and compare.
You answer a few questions: roof direction, roof type, energy usage
Installer checks: roof suitability, shading, electrical layout, battery positioning
Includes: panels, inverter, battery, scaffolding, installation, warranties
Panel mounting + inverter setup + electrical connection.
You start generating power instantly.
A quality installer should give:
If any installer offers less — walk away.
Looking for more local solar information? Explore our Northern Ireland location pages:
If you're exploring solar for your home or business in Northern Ireland, you can get trusted local quotes here:
👉 Start Your Free Solar QuoteFast. Free. No pushy salespeople. Just proper MCS-certified solar installers.