Edinburgh sits below the English cities for solar output, but it beats Glasgow. PVGIS, the European Commission’s free solar model, estimates 903 kWh per kWp a year for a south-facing roof at 35 degrees. That is about 11% below London at 1,019 kWh per kWp, and about 6% above Glasgow at 853 kWh per kWp.
Solar Yield is an independent estimator and does not install panels. This page explains the Edinburgh figures so you can check any quote against them.
What a typical Edinburgh system could produce
Output scales with system size. A 4 kWp system could generate about 3,612 kWh a year in Edinburgh, and a 4.5 kWp system about 4,064 kWh. Aberdeen, at 893 kWh per kWp, comes out slightly lower.
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, value depends on what you do with the power.
Between October and December 2026 the Ofgem price cap sets electricity at 26.32p per kWh, as the Ofgem announcement shows. Each unit you use yourself avoids that rate. Each unit you export earns whatever your supplier pays.
Exporting and the Smart Export Guarantee
Our guide to the Smart Export Guarantee covers the scheme in detail. In short, suppliers with at least 150,000 domestic customers must offer a tariff, and each one sets its own rate. Energy Saving Trust says exported units typically earn around 12p each.
Rates change often, so check them at the time you apply. You need an MCS-certified installation and a meter that records export.
Best month and worst month
May is the strongest month in Edinburgh at 119.6 kWh per kWp. December is the weakest at 22.2 kWh per kWp, so the best month produces about 5.4 times the worst.
May, June and July together give 343.6 kWh per kWp. In contrast, November, December and January together give only 88.5 kWh per kWp. Since winter output is small, many Edinburgh homes ask whether a battery helps. Our post on whether a solar battery is worth it weighs that up.
Tilt and direction
PVGIS puts the optimal tilt for Edinburgh at 42 degrees, with 908 kWh per kWp a year. A 35 degree roof gives 903 kWh per kWp, so the gap is small. Direction matters more, because Energy Saving Trust says east or west facing systems tend to produce 15% to 20% less.
Planning rules and the City of Edinburgh 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. The City of Edinburgh Council is the local planning authority, so ask it about your address.
Grid connection under SP Energy Networks
Your network operator depends on your postcode, and in Edinburgh it is usually SP Energy Networks. 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. MCS explains both routes on its notifying network operators page.
Cost, heat pumps 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. For batteries, DESNZ puts the median at about £890 per kWh for 6 to 11 kWh units.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme does not cover Scotland, so check Home Energy Scotland for heat pump support. Our upcoming guide on solar panels and heat pumps explains how the two fit together.
Our pages on solar panel installation and solar battery storage explain how referrals work. For comparison, see the solar output figures for Glasgow and the Newcastle upon Tyne 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.