Solar Panels in South West England
The South West has the best solar resource on the British mainland — Cornwall and Devon's exposed, low-latitude coastline sees the UK's highest annual irradiance. National Grid Electricity Distribution manages the regional network.
Solar generation in South West England
Averaged across South West England's 7 counties, a 4 kWp south-facing system generates around 4,144 kWh per year. At the April 2026 Ofgem price cap of 24.50p/kWh, that covers £1,015 of electricity you would otherwise buy from the grid — though Cornwall runs ahead of that average, at 1080 kWh per installed kWp per year.
A typical 4 kWp system with a 5 kWh battery costs £7,000–£11,000 installed. At current energy prices, most homeowners in South West England break even within 8–10 years, and Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments on surplus exported energy reduce that further.
About South West England
Cornwall and Devon's exposed, low-latitude coastline gives this region the highest measured solar irradiance on the British mainland, while Bristol's famously hilly terraces and the Cotswold stone villages of Gloucestershire add real variation in roof pitch and orientation. National Grid Electricity Distribution (South West licence) covers the whole region, from the Isles of Scilly's latitude down to Wiltshire's chalk downs in the east.
Counties we cover in South West England
Not every town in South West England has its own dedicated page yet — but our installer network already covers every county above. Submit a free quote request and we'll match you with MCS-certified installers local to your postcode.
Frequently asked questions — South West England
Do you cover the whole of South West England, or just certain towns?+
We cover every county in South West England — Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. None of them have a dedicated town page yet, but our installer network reaches every county regardless.
How much electricity will solar panels generate in South West England?+
Averaged across South West England's counties, a 4 kWp south-facing system generates around 4,144 kWh per year — worth roughly £1,015 at the April 2026 Ofgem price cap of 24.50p/kWh. Yield varies by county: Cornwall sees the highest generation in the region at 1080 kWh per installed kWp per year.
Who runs the electricity network in South West England?+
National Grid Electricity Distribution (South West) runs the electricity network across the whole of South West England. Systems up to 3.68 kW need a G98 notification; larger arrays need G99 approval (up to 45 working days) — your MCS-certified installer files both as part of the installation, at no extra cost.
How long is the payback period for solar in South West England?+
A typical 4 kWp system with a 5 kWh battery costs £7,000–£11,000 installed. On South West England's average yield and current energy prices, most homeowners break even within 8–10 years, and Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments on surplus exported energy reduce that further.
Other UK regions we cover
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