Skip to content
Edinburgh & Lothians

Solar Panels & Home Energy in Edinburgh

Solar panels, battery storage, and heat pumps across all Edinburgh — installed by our MCS-registered partner. Conservation area and tenement specialists. postcodes. Conservation area and tenement specialists. 0% VAT until March 2027.

Our MCS-registered partner installs solar panels, battery storage, and heat pumps across Edinburgh and the Lothians. A typical 4.5kWp solar system costs £6,200-£8,500 and saves £550-£660/yr (£800-£1,200/yr with battery). We specialise in Edinburgh's conservation areas, tenement properties, and Georgian/Victorian housing stock. 0% VAT until March 2027. HES heat pump grant up to £7,500 + £7,500 loan. Edinburgh receives 990 kWh/kWp/year of solar irradiance.

Services Available in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Installation Expertise

Edinburgh's diverse housing stock requires specialist knowledge. From Georgian New Town properties and Victorian tenements to modern suburban homes, we have experience with every Edinburgh property type. We navigate conservation area planning and shared roof agreements as standard.

Edinburgh Property Types

  • Georgian & Victorian tenements
  • New Town conservation area properties
  • Morningside & Stockbridge stone terraces
  • Suburban detached & semi-detached
  • Modern apartments with shared roofs
  • Listed buildings (A, B, and C)

Edinburgh-Specific Services

  • Conservation area planning support
  • Listed building consent guidance
  • Shared roof and factor agreements
  • Tenement communal decision support
  • Edinburgh Council liaison
  • Heritage-sensitive installation design

Solar in Edinburgh — The Numbers

990
kWh/kWp/year irradiance
£550+
Average annual saving (4.5kWp)
8-10
Year payback period

Edinburgh receives 990 kWh/kWp/year — about 90% of London's solar energy. Scotland's cooler temperatures actually make panels more efficient than in warmer UK regions.

Edinburgh Coverage Area

EH1-EH17, EH22, EH25-EH28 and surrounding Lothian postcodes

Including: City Centre, Leith, Portobello, Corstorphine, Morningside, Stockbridge, Cramond, South Queensferry, Musselburgh, Dalkeith, Penicuik, Bonnyrigg, Loanhead, and all surrounding villages.

City CentreLeithPortobelloMorningsideStockbridgeCorstorphineCramondSouth QueensferryMusselburghDalkeithPenicuikBonnyriggCurrieBalerno

Grants for Edinburgh Homeowners (2026)

0% VAT on Solar, Battery & Heat Pumps

Applied automatically until 31 March 2027. Saves £900-£4,000 depending on installation type and size. No application needed.

HES Grant for Heat Pumps — ACTIVE

Up to £7,500 grant + £7,500 interest-free loan for heat pump installation. Edinburgh is classified as urban, so the standard £7,500 grant applies. Ongoing, no end date announced.

Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) — Ongoing

Pays roughly 1p to 25p/kWh on flat-rate export tariffs, with time-of-use peaks higher, for exported solar electricity (Outgoing Octopus pays 12p/kWh flat (from March 2026)). Requires MCS certification, included with every installation.

ECO4 — Ends 31 December 2026

Fully funded solar and insulation for Edinburgh households on qualifying benefits. Check eligibility.

Edinburgh Solar Pricing — Including Conservation Area Support

All prices include installation, MCS certification, conservation area assessment, and 0% VAT. Free no-obligation home survey included.

Starter

3kWp Solar

from £4,500installed
  • 6 x premium Tier 1 panels
  • String inverter
  • MCS-registered installation partner
  • 25-year panel warranty
  • Conservation area assessment
  • DNO application included
Get Free Quote
Most Popular

Edinburgh Standard

4.5kWp Solar + Battery

from £8,500installed
  • 8-9 x premium Tier 1 panels
  • 5kWh lithium battery
  • Hybrid inverter
  • 25-year panel warranty
  • Conservation area assessment
  • Smart export tariff setup
  • Full monitoring app
Get Free Quote

Premium

6kWp + 9.5kWh Battery

from £12,500installed
  • 12 x premium Tier 1 panels
  • 9.5kWh lithium battery
  • Hybrid inverter
  • 25-year panel + 12-year battery warranty
  • Conservation area assessment
  • Smart export tariff setup
  • SEG registration included
Get Free Quote

0% VAT on solar installations — this rate expires 31 March 2027. Install before this date and save up to £700 on a standard system.

Octopus Energy Approved Partner

As an approved Octopus Energy partner, we set up Edinburgh homeowners on the Outgoing Octopus tariff — earning 12p/kWh flat for exported electricity (from 1 March 2026). Ideal when paired with battery storage.

Approved Partner

Octopus Energy

Smart Export Tariffs

Rates vary

Edinburgh Solar & Energy FAQ

Yes. Solar panels on most properties in conservation areas (including the New Town) can be installed under Permitted Development if they are not visible from the street. For rear-facing roofs, this is usually straightforward. Where panels may be visible, planning consent is typically granted for discreet installations. We handle all planning enquiries and applications as standard.

Yes. Many Edinburgh tenements have suitable south-facing or east/west-facing roofs. Installation requires agreement from other owners, usually obtained via your factor. We handle shared roof negotiations regularly and provide template agreements. Top-floor owners have the most straightforward access but shared arrangements can benefit the whole building.

Solar panel prices in Edinburgh are the same as the rest of Scotland: from £4,500 for a 3kWp system to £12,500+ for a 6kWp system with 9.5kWh battery. All prices include 0% VAT (until March 2027), MCS certification, and full installation. Conservation area properties may have minor additional costs for planning support, though this is usually included in our standard service.

Edinburgh homeowners can access: 0% VAT on solar, battery, and heat pumps (automatic, until March 2027); Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) for solar export income (1–25p/kWh on flat-rate tariffs, ongoing); HES Grant for heat pumps (up to £7,500 grant + £7,500 loan, active); and ECO4 for qualifying low-income households (ends 31 December 2026). Note: HES stopped its solar PV grant in June 2024.

Edinburgh receives approximately 990 kWh/kWp/year of solar irradiance, roughly 90% of London's. A 4.5kWp system in Edinburgh generates approximately 4,200-4,500 kWh/year. Scotland's cooler temperatures actually improve panel efficiency compared to warmer regions, partially offsetting shorter winter days.

Listed buildings (Category A, B, or C) require Listed Building Consent before installing solar panels. The key factor is visual impact. Panels on rear-facing roofs or less prominent elevations are more likely to be approved. We provide guidance on the consent process and design systems that balance energy generation with heritage requirements.

Yes. Air source heat pumps are suitable for most Edinburgh properties including detached, semi-detached, and some terraced homes. For tenement flats, ground source or shared heat pump systems may be considered. The HES Grant provides up to £7,500 (plus £7,500 interest-free loan) towards installation. We assess suitability during your free survey.

Solar installation takes 1-2 days on-site. Where conservation area planning consent is needed, add 6-8 weeks for the application. Total time from enquiry to switch-on is typically 4-10 weeks (standard) or 10-16 weeks (if planning required). Heat pump installation takes 2-4 days on-site, with 8-16 weeks total including HES Grant application.

We cover all Edinburgh postcodes: EH1-EH17, EH22, EH25-EH28, and surrounding Lothian areas. This includes City Centre, Leith, Portobello, Corstorphine, Morningside, Stockbridge, Cramond, South Queensferry, Musselburgh, Dalkeith, Penicuik, Bonnyrigg, and all surrounding villages.

Yes. We have extensive experience working with Edinburgh factors and managing shared owner agreements for roof access. We provide template consent letters, attend factor meetings if needed, and handle all the administrative requirements of tenement installations. This is included in our standard service at no extra cost.

Home Heating Services

Heating Systems for Edinburgh

Gas, oil, LPG, heat pumps, and electric heating — all available through our Gas Safe registered partner.

Heating in Edinburgh: Gas, oil, LPG boiler replacement and clean-heat upgrades (heat pumps with up to GBP 7,500 grant plus GBP 7,500 loan via Home Energy Scotland) installed by our partner Home Heating Services (Scotland) Ltd — Gas Safe 559575, MCS IAA10151. Call 0141 230 0198.

Last updated 2026-06-01

Gas Boilers in Edinburgh

For homes in Edinburgh with mains gas, a high-efficiency A-rated condensing boiler is often the fastest solution when a boiler fails. Modern combi and system boilers from Worcester Bosch, Baxi, and Glow-Worm achieve 92-94% efficiency, significantly reducing running costs compared to older models. A gas boiler replacement in Edinburgh typically costs £1,800-£3,500 installed depending on system type and complexity. Like-for-like gas boiler swaps are not eligible for HES grant funding — the grant is reserved for clean-heat upgrades such as heat pumps. If you're considering a longer-term move away from gas, the Alternative Heating tab covers funded options including air source heat pumps with up to £7,500 grant plus £7,500 interest-free loan.

Heating installations are carried out by our Gas Safe registered partner, Home Heating Services (Scotland) Ltd.

Get a heating quote

Partner credentials: Heating installations delivered by Home Heating Services (Scotland) Ltd — MCS certified (IAA10151) · TrustMark registered (3559930) · Gas Safe registered (559575). MCS certified, TrustMark registered, Gas Safe registered.

Heating FAQ — Edinburgh

What heating systems can I get installed in Edinburgh?+
Homes in Edinburgh can choose from gas boilers (where mains gas is available), oil boilers, LPG boilers, air source heat pumps, hybrid heating systems, solar thermal, electric boilers, and modern ceramic/infrared electric heating. The best option depends on your property type, existing fuel supply, and whether you want to access Scotland's HES grant funding. Our partner Home Heating Services (Scotland) Ltd (Gas Safe 559575) installs all types. Call 0141 230 0198 for advice.
Should I replace my boiler or switch to a heat pump in Edinburgh?+
If your existing gas, oil, or LPG boiler has failed and you need immediate heating, a like-for-like replacement is the fastest option (1-3 days). However, switching to a heat pump qualifies for up to £7,500 HES grant (£9,000 rural, grant only) plus £7,500 interest-free loan and 0% VAT until March 2027 — making it significantly cheaper long-term. Heat pumps also cut running costs by 30-50% versus oil or LPG. We recommend a free survey to compare options for your Edinburgh home.
Is there funding for heating upgrades in Scotland?+
Yes. The Home Energy Scotland (HES) scheme provides up to £7,500 non-repayable grant (£9,000 for rural properties, uplift on the grant only) plus an interest-free loan of up to £7,500 for heat pump installation. 0% VAT applies to heat pumps until 31 March 2027. ECO4 (means-tested, extended to 31 December 2026) may fully fund heating upgrades for qualifying households. Note: like-for-like gas/oil boiler swaps do not qualify for HES funding. The Warm Homes Plan is England-only and does not apply in Scotland.
How quickly can a broken boiler be replaced in Edinburgh?+
A like-for-like gas or oil boiler replacement in Edinburgh can typically be completed within 1-3 days from survey. Emergency replacements may be faster. Heat pump installation takes longer (2-4 days on-site plus 8-16 weeks for HES grant application), so if you need immediate heating, a boiler swap may be the right interim solution. Our partner Home Heating Services (Scotland) Ltd handles both emergency replacements and planned upgrades.
What heating suits an off-gas home in Edinburgh?+
Off-gas homes in Edinburgh typically use oil, LPG, or electric heating. The most cost-effective upgrade path is switching to an air source heat pump, which qualifies for HES grant funding (up to £9,000 for rural properties plus £7,500 loan). Modern ceramic electric heating or infrared panels suit flats and hard-to-treat properties. Solar PV paired with battery storage can significantly reduce electric heating costs. We assess all options during a free home survey.
Who carries out the heating installation?+
All heating installations — gas, oil, LPG, heat pump, and electric systems — are carried out by our partner Home Heating Services (Scotland) Ltd, based in Perth. They hold Gas Safe registration (559575), MCS certification (IAA10151), and TrustMark registration (3559930). They cover central Scotland and beyond. Scottish Energy Efficiency connects you with them and handles the enquiry and grant paperwork.

Get Your Free Edinburgh Quote

Free home survey across all Edinburgh postcodes. Conservation area expertise included.

CallWhatsAppFree quote