Aberdeen produces less solar power than the south of England, yet the gap is smaller than many people expect. PVGIS, the European Commission’s free solar model, estimates 893 kWh per kWp a year for a south-facing roof at 35 degrees. London reaches 1,019 kWh per kWp, so Aberdeen gives about 12% less.
Solar Yield is an independent estimator and does not install panels. This page explains the Aberdeen figures, so you can check an installer’s estimate against an open source.
What a typical Aberdeen system could produce
Output scales with system size. A 4 kWp system could generate about 3,572 kWh a year in Aberdeen, and a 4.5 kWp system about 4,019 kWh. In Oxford, at 1,018 kWh per kWp, a 4 kWp system would give 4,072 kWh.
Ofgem’s medium household uses 2,500 kWh of electricity a year on a standard meter, according to its typical consumption values. A 4 kWp roof can therefore out-produce that over a year. However, you save most on the share you use as the panels generate it.
Best month and worst month
May is the strongest month in Aberdeen at 122.4 kWh per kWp. That matches York and Belfast for May, and it is close to Oxford’s best month. December is the weakest at 21.1 kWh per kWp, so the best month produces about 5.8 times the worst.
May, June and July together give 353.6 kWh per kWp. In contrast, November, December and January together give only 80.0 kWh per kWp. Winter output is therefore small, while spring and summer are strong.
Tilt and direction
PVGIS puts the optimal tilt for Aberdeen at 43 degrees, with 900 kWh per kWp a year. A 35 degree roof gives 893 kWh per kWp, so the gap is 7 kWh per kWp. Our post on the best tilt angle for solar panels in the UK shows how to judge the best angle.
Direction still matters more. Energy Saving Trust says east or west facing systems tend to produce 15% to 20% less than south facing ones.
Planning rules and Aberdeen City Council
Scotland has its own rules. Class 6HA gives householders permitted development rights for solar panels. No part may protrude more than 1 m from the wall, roof plane, ridge or chimney. The Scottish Government’s Circular 1/2024 sets out the detail.
However, the right does not apply to a listed building, its curtilage or a World Heritage Site. In a conservation area, fit panels only on a rear elevation, or a side elevation that does not front a road. Aberdeen City Council is the local planning authority, so ask it about your address.
Grid connection under SSEN Distribution
Your network operator depends on your postcode, and in Aberdeen it is usually SSEN Distribution. Under G98, a type-tested system up to 16 A per phase connects first. That is about 3.68 kW on a single-phase supply, and the installer tells the operator within 28 days.
Because larger systems fall under G99, the installer must apply and get approval before installing. The operator may limit export. MCS explains both routes on its notifying network operators page.
Cost and quotes
DESNZ puts the 2025 to 2026 median installed cost at about £1,595 per kW for systems up to 4 kW. A 4 kWp system therefore costs about £6,400, according to the DESNZ cost data. Because Aberdeen produces less per kWp than most English cities, the payback takes longer for the same price.
Every quote should state expected annual output and the assumptions behind it. Our guide on how to check a solar quote lists what to look for. After installation, our upcoming guide to reading your solar inverter app shows how to compare real output with the estimate.
Our pages on solar panel installation and solar battery storage explain how referrals work. For nearby comparisons, see the solar output figures for Edinburgh and the Glasgow solar installation page.
Next steps
Start with the solar yield calculator to test your roof. Then use get quotes to send one enquiry to MCS-certified installers. Solar Yield passes on your request and does not install anything itself.