Sustainable Tring
Community-led action to inspire sustainable living in and around Tring, Hertfordshire
Costs & funding
A well-known president has claimed that clean energy sources, such as solar and wind, don’t work, are more expensive than fossil fuels, harm the economy and result in higher energy costs. He is wrong! According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, in 2024, Grid electricity from solar PV projects averaged 41% cheaper than the lowest-cost fossil fuel alternatives.
What's the cost?
This graph represents roughly how the average installation cost of solar panels has changed over time.
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Left side (vertical axis) = the average installation cost in £ (pounds).
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Bottom (horizontal axis) = time, from 2023 to early 2026.
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The line = the average price installers were charging at that point in time.
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Where the line goes down, average prices are falling.
Solar installation costs are falling, and are now at a four year low. The average price of installation cost for solar panels in the UK has steadily fallen since 2023. As shown by the graph, the average installation price in the East of England was £10,998 in 2023, dropping to £7793 in 2026.
The cost for your home will depend on the number of panels you wish to install and a number of other factors but the average total price of installations are at a four-year low, currently averaging ~£7793*. This initial installation cost will balance out over time, usually between 8-12 years, saving you lots of money on energy bills after your payback period!**
*For East of England according to MCS database:
https://mcscertified.com/low-carbon-landscapes/mcs-data-dashboard/
**This is how long it will take for your annual savings and export payments to equal your solar panel installation costs.
Cost of PV on your home
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A typical domestic array of 10 panels at 460 watts each would cost about £7400.
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Typical figures for generation, savings and Smart Export Guarantee payments:
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Figures taken from Which? last updated in July 2025. Based on a 4.6kWp ten-panel system on a south-facing, 35-degree pitched roof with no shading. Cost £7,400. Occupants assumed at home during the day.
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Savings calculated using the Energy Saving Trust’s solar energy calculator based on 25.8p/kWh electricity cost and estimated annual consumption of 2,500kWh per year.
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SEG payments based on export rate of 12p and exported electricity estimated by the EST’s solar energy calculator.
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No maintenance or repair costs are included.
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Batteries of 5kWh capacity would add about £3000-4000.
Available Grants
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Grants are available under the Warm Homes Local Grant for solar, insulation, batteries and heat pumps.
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Administered in this area by Dacorum and managed for them by EON Next.
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The grant is subject to eligibility criteria about the applicant and the property.
Apply for the Warm Homes: Local Grant to improve a home - GOV.UK
Grant Finder | Check Your Eligibility for Home Efficiency Grants
Bulk buying schemes such as Herts/Dacorum Solar Together
The ‘Solar Together’ scheme has been run in several parts of the UK, by District and County Councils. The scheme is managed by a contractor who appoints qualified sub-contractors through a competitive tendering scheme. While good in principle there have been very mixed reviews of the quality of the work. Some people say that because prices are low and timescales are tight, corners are often cut.
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Solar Powered Tring is a one-year campaign by Sustainable Tring, aiming to accelerate the uptake of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems by residents, community buildings including schools, and businesses. Solar Powered Tring is supported by a Green Community grant from Dacorum Borough Council.
Free solar panels for large roofs
Many large buildings do not have solar panels on their roofs. This can include industrial, educational, retail and community buildings.
There are organisations which fund, install, own and maintain such systems and sell the power generated back to the building’s occupants at a discount, through a Power Purchase Agreement.
This arrangement enables the building owners, for no capital cost, to save money for the building’s occupants, while reducing their carbon footprint, improving their sustainable credentials and adding value to the building.
Examples of organisations offering this include the Big Solar Co-op, a nationwide not-for-profit cooperative, and Grand Union Community Energy (GUCE), a local community benefit society.