Solar panels in Edinburgh: your questions answered
Answers to the most common questions about solar panels and battery storage in Edinburgh, from planning permission to costs and installation.
These are the questions we hear most often from homeowners and flat owners in Edinburgh considering solar panels or battery storage. If your question is not here, call us on 0141 230 0198 or send a WhatsApp message and we will answer directly.
Planning permission and listed buildings
Domestic solar in Scotland is normally permitted development, which means you do not need to apply for planning permission. The exceptions are listed buildings, which need listed building consent, and conservation areas, where panels on a roof slope facing a road require planning permission. We check both designations against your postcode before recommending a survey, so you know the rule before you spend anything.
Costs and quotations
A typical domestic system costs between five and twelve thousand pounds depending on size and battery storage. We do not quote from satellite images — every quotation is itemised in writing after a physical survey of your property. The survey covers roof structure, orientation, access, shading, electrical compatibility and planning status. There is no charge for the initial consultation or the planning check.
Battery storage
A battery lets you use solar energy in the evening and buy cheap off-peak electricity from the grid. For many Edinburgh homes the combination of panels and battery pays back faster than panels alone. For flat owners without roof access, a battery alone can still cut bills significantly by storing cheap off-peak electricity for use during peak hours.
The Smart Export Guarantee
The Smart Export Guarantee pays roughly 4p to 25p per exported kilowatt-hour depending on your supplier and tariff. You are paid for surplus electricity your panels send back to the grid. To qualify, your installation must be MCS-certified. We install through MCS-certified partners so your system is registered and eligible.
What happens after I fill in the form?
We check the conservation area and listed building maps for your postcode, then call you within one working day to arrange the survey. After the survey you receive a fixed, itemised written quotation. There is no obligation — if the survey shows your roof is not viable, we tell you.
Last updated October 2026
Do I need planning permission for solar panels in Edinburgh?
Domestic solar in Scotland is normally permitted development, but listed buildings need consent and conservation areas restrict roof slopes fronting a road. The survey confirms which rule applies.
Can I put solar panels on a listed building in Edinburgh?
No. Listed building consent is required before any solar equipment is fitted. The application is made to the planning authority and the survey confirms whether your property is listed.
Do conservation areas affect solar panel installation in Edinburgh?
Yes. In a conservation area equipment must not sit on a roof slope or wall forming the principal elevation and fronting a road. Rear slopes are usually fine. The survey confirms.
How much do solar panels cost in Edinburgh?
A typical domestic system costs between five and twelve thousand pounds depending on size and battery storage. Every quotation is itemised in writing after a survey, not estimated from a satellite image.
Is battery storage worth it in Edinburgh?
Yes. A battery lets you use solar energy in the evening and buy cheap off-peak electricity. For flat owners without roof access a battery alone can still cut bills significantly.
What is the Smart Export Guarantee and how much does it pay?
The Smart Export Guarantee pays roughly 4p to 25p per exported kWh depending on supplier and tariff. You are paid for surplus electricity you send back to the grid.
Is a solar quote right for your Edinburgh roof?
Fill in six fields. We check the planning rule for your address, then call to arrange the survey. A written itemised quotation follows.
No obligation, no pressure
We tell you if a roof is not viable
MCS-listed equipment, confirmed in writing
Talk to us about your roof
We install through MCS-certified partners. Call, WhatsApp or email — no obligation.