Brighton in the PVGIS data
PVGIS models Brighton at 1,156 kWh per kWp a year. That assumes a south-facing roof at a 35 degree tilt. Because the figure sits well above the London value, Brighton is a strong place for solar in UK terms.
A 4 kWp system therefore comes to about 4,624 kWh a year. The same system makes about 4,076 kWh in London and about 3,572 kWh in Aberdeen. Brighton sits 13% above London and 29% above Aberdeen.
The gap between Brighton and Aberdeen is 263 kWh per kWp. That shows how much the UK spread matters, although local shade can erase an advantage on a single roof. Treat the city figure as a starting point only.
Best and worst months
July is the best month in Brighton at 145.2 kWh per kWp. December is the weakest at 39.0. The best month is therefore about 3.7 times the worst.
May to August supply about 48% of the year. November, December and January supply about 11%. Because the swing is large, a bright summer does most of the work.
The payback depends on how you use that summer power. Ofgem’s price cap sets electricity at 26.32p per kWh at the time of writing. Exports typically earn around 12p per kWh, so self-use pays more. Our guide to the solar panel payback period shows how to work it through.
Tilt and direction
PVGIS gives an optimal tilt of 40 degrees for Brighton. At that angle output rises to 1,159 kWh per kWp, only 3 kWh above the baseline. However, your roof pitch will usually decide the angle, so the gain is academic for most homes.
Direction matters more than pitch. Energy Saving Trust says east or west-facing systems tend to get 15% to 20% less than a south-facing one. Run the estimate for each roof face.
Planning and the council
Brighton is in England, so the national rules apply. Our post on solar panels and planning permission covers them in detail. In short, roof panels on a house are normally permitted development. They must project no more than 200mm and stay below the highest part of the roof, according to the Planning Portal.
Listed buildings need planning permission and listed building consent. Similarly, in a conservation area, you cannot fit panels to a wall, balcony or roof enclosure that fronts a highway. Brighton and Hove City Council is the planning authority, so ask it about Article 4 directions and about your street.
Rules differ elsewhere in the UK, however. A planned post on solar panels in Scotland explains the different limit there.
UK Power Networks and G98
Brighton is usually in the UK Power Networks area, although your postcode decides it. The Energy Networks Association has a lookup tool. Your installer handles the paperwork.
Under G98, a type-tested system up to 16A per phase, about 3.68kW on a single phase, connects first. The installer notifies the operator within 28 days. A larger system needs G99 approval before installation, and the operator may limit export.
Costs and batteries
DESNZ puts the median cost for systems up to 4kW at £1,595 per kW for 2025 to 2026. A 4 kWp system therefore costs about £6,400 without a battery. Solar installs are currently zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027.
A battery stores surplus for the evening, but it adds cost. Read about solar battery storage before you add one. Weigh it against your own evening demand, because a small household may use little stored power.
Getting quotes for Brighton
Solar Yield is an independent estimator and referral service, and we do not install anything. We pass enquiries to MCS-certified installers. Our page on solar panel installation describes the service.
You can check any installer on the MCS Find an Installer search. Ask each one to show the kWh per kWp behind their estimate. For comparison, the page on solar output in Southampton gives a lower figure of 1,064. The page on solar panels in London gives 1,019.
Next steps
Use the Solar Yield calculator to test your roof. Then send one enquiry through the get quotes page. Compare each estimate with the PVGIS figures above.