How much do solar panels cost in the North East?

A typical 4kW residential solar panel system in the North East costs between £5,000 and £7,000 including installation and VAT at 0%. Larger systems of 6-8kW range from £7,000 to £10,000. Prices vary depending on panel brand, roof complexity and whether you add battery storage. ALPS Electrical provides free, no-obligation quotes with a full breakdown of costs and projected savings.

How many solar panels do I need for my home?

Most UK homes need between 8 and 16 solar panels depending on electricity usage, roof size and orientation. A typical 3-bedroom semi-detached house uses around 3,500kWh per year, which can be met by a 4kW system (8-10 panels). Larger detached properties with electric vehicles or heat pumps may need 6-10kW systems (14-24 panels). We conduct a detailed survey to recommend the optimal system size for your specific needs.

Do solar panels work in the North East and in winter?

Yes, solar panels work effectively in the North East. While the region receives less sunshine than the south of England, modern high-efficiency panels like the Jinko Tiger Neo and JA Solar panels we install generate significant electricity even on overcast days. The North East receives approximately 1,100-1,200 kWh/m² of solar irradiance annually. Winter output is lower but panels still generate electricity — pairing with battery storage ensures you maximise every unit generated.

How long does solar panel installation take?

A standard residential solar panel installation typically takes 1-2 days. If you are adding battery storage, this may extend to 2-3 days. Commercial installations can take 1-2 weeks depending on system size. The full process from survey to switch-on usually takes 4-8 weeks, including the DNO notification or G99 application if required.

Do I need planning permission for solar panels?

Most domestic solar panel installations fall under Permitted Development and do not require planning permission. However, you will need to apply if your property is listed, in a conservation area, or if panels will protrude more than 200mm from the roof surface. Ground-mounted arrays over 9m² also require permission. ALPS Electrical handles all planning considerations and will advise you during the survey.

How much do solar panels cost in the North East?

A typical 4kW residential solar panel system in the North East costs between £5,000 and £7,000 including installation and VAT at 0%. Larger systems of 6-8kW range from £7,000 to £10,000. Prices vary depending on panel brand, roof complexity and whether you add battery storage. ALPS Electrical provides free, no-obligation quotes with a full breakdown of costs and projected savings.

How many solar panels do I need for my home?

Most UK homes need between 8 and 16 solar panels depending on electricity usage, roof size and orientation. A typical 3-bedroom semi-detached house uses around 3,500kWh per year, which can be met by a 4kW system (8-10 panels). Larger detached properties with electric vehicles or heat pumps may need 6-10kW systems (14-24 panels). We conduct a detailed survey to recommend the optimal system size for your specific needs.

Do solar panels work in the North East and in winter?

Yes, solar panels work effectively in the North East. While the region receives less sunshine than the south of England, modern high-efficiency panels like the Jinko Tiger Neo and JA Solar panels we install generate significant electricity even on overcast days. The North East receives approximately 1,100-1,200 kWh/m² of solar irradiance annually. Winter output is lower but panels still generate electricity — pairing with battery storage ensures you maximise every unit generated.

How long does solar panel installation take?

A standard residential solar panel installation typically takes 1-2 days. If you are adding battery storage, this may extend to 2-3 days. Commercial installations can take 1-2 weeks depending on system size. The full process from survey to switch-on usually takes 4-8 weeks, including the DNO notification or G99 application if required.

Do I need planning permission for solar panels?

Most domestic solar panel installations fall under Permitted Development and do not require planning permission. However, you will need to apply if your property is listed, in a conservation area, or if panels will protrude more than 200mm from the roof surface. Ground-mounted arrays over 9m² also require permission. ALPS Electrical handles all planning considerations and will advise you during the survey.

Smart Export Guarantee 2026: Which Tariff Pays the Most?

Smart Export Guarantee in 2026: The Complete Guide

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) pays you for every unit of electricity your solar panels export to the grid. Since the old Feed-in Tariff closed in 2019, the SEG has been the primary mechanism for solar homeowners to receive payment for their surplus generation. In 2026, rates vary significantly between suppliers — choosing the right one can add hundreds of pounds per year to your solar income.

How the Smart Export Guarantee Works

Any MCS-certified solar installation qualifies for SEG payments. Once your system is installed, you register with an energy supplier offering an SEG tariff. Every unit you export to the grid is measured by a smart meter and paid at your agreed SEG rate. You are free to choose a different supplier for your import (the electricity you buy) and export (the electricity you sell) — they don't have to be the same supplier.

SEG Rates in 2026: A Comparison

The following are approximate rates as of early 2026. Always verify current rates with suppliers directly:

Octopus Energy Outgoing Octopus Fixed: 15p/kWh — strong fixed rate, ideal for predictable income planning
Octopus Outgoing Agile: Variable rate tracking the wholesale market, often 5–20p/kWh but can spike above 30p/kWh during peak demand periods. High potential upside for attentive users.
E.ON Next Drive Export: Approximately 15p/kWh for EV charger customers
British Gas Solar Export: Approximately 12p/kWh
Ovo Energy: Approximately 12p/kWh
EDF: Approximately 10p/kWh

These rates are subject to change and this list is not exhaustive. The Ofgem SEG comparison tool provides the most up-to-date comparison.

Maximising Your SEG Income

The most important principle: the less you export, the less SEG income you receive — but the more you consume yourself, the more you save (at 24p+/kWh versus the SEG rate of 10–15p/kWh). Self-consumption is always more valuable than export. The optimal strategy is to maximise self-consumption first (through smart scheduling, EV charging during solar peak, battery storage) and then choose an SEG tariff that maximises income on unavoidable exports.

Smart Export with Battery Storage

Some tariffs — notably Octopus Flux — are designed for homes with batteries. Flux charges you cheaply overnight (when demand is low and generation is high) and pays you highly for export during peak evening periods. With a well-configured battery, this can generate an additional £400–£600/year beyond what standard generation alone provides. This requires a compatible battery system (GivEnergy, Tesla Powerwall, FOX ESS) and a smart meter.

Octopus Flux: The Highest-Return SEG Strategy

Octopus Flux is designed specifically for households with both solar panels and battery storage, and offers the highest potential return of any SEG tariff in 2026. The Flux tariff charges you cheaply overnight (around 8p/kWh during off-peak periods) and pays you significantly more for export during peak demand windows (up to 30p/kWh in the evening peak). With a well-configured battery — charged overnight, supplemented by solar during the day, then discharged and exported during evening peak — Flux can generate £400–£800/year in combined import savings plus export income beyond what standard tariffs provide.

Flux requires: a solar system with MCS certificate, a compatible smart battery (GivEnergy, Tesla Powerwall, FOX ESS, Sigenergy all work), and an Octopus account with Flux enrolled. The setup is managed through the Octopus app, with the battery discharge schedule aligned to the Flux export windows. Our installations include Flux configuration as standard for customers who opt into the tariff at commissioning.

How Much Can You Earn From SEG?

Annual SEG income for a typical 4kW North East installation depends on how much you export. The less you self-consume, the more you export — but exporting more means you're saving less (since self-consumption saves 24p/kWh versus an export rate of 10–15p/kWh). A rough guide for annual SEG income:

4kW system, no battery, average household: ~1,000–1,400 kWh exported per year. At 15p/kWh (Octopus): £150–£210/year.
4kW system, 9.5kWh battery: ~400–700 kWh exported per year. At 15p/kWh: £60–£105/year. But self-consumption savings are much higher.
6kW system, 9.5kWh battery, Octopus Flux: Variable, but potential income from export at peak rates can reach £300–£500/year on top of self-consumption savings.

SEG for New Installations

For systems installed after January 2020, SEG is the only available export payment scheme — the old Feed-in Tariff is closed to new applicants. If you have an existing FiT system, you should continue receiving FiT payments for the remaining life of your FiT agreement regardless of whether you also register for SEG (you can have both for a transitional system where the FiT arrangement predates the smart meter requirement). For all new installations, SEG registration happens at installation completion once your smart meter is in place.

Registering for SEG

We register your system with your chosen SEG provider as part of our solar panel installation service. You need your MCS certificate (which we provide at installation completion) and a smart meter. If you don't yet have a smart meter, your energy supplier will install one free of charge when you register for SEG. We handle the registration process on your behalf for all ALPS Electrical customers — you receive confirmation once the SEG contract is active. Contact us for a free solar survey in the North East.