Leeds sits in the lower half of the UK output range. PVGIS, the European Commission’s solar model, gives about 947 kWh per kWp a year for a south-facing roof at 35 degrees. That figure assumes no shade and a clear view of the sky. Your own roof will differ, so use it as a starting point.
What a Leeds roof can produce
A 4 kWp system is a common size for a house. At 947 kWh per kWp, it would make about 3,788 kWh a year. London gets about 1,019 kWh per kWp, so Leeds produces about 7% less than the capital. Aberdeen gets about 893 kWh per kWp, so Leeds produces about 6% more than the far north.
The UK spread is therefore narrow. A well-placed roof in Leeds beats a shaded one in London. Check your own roof before you worry about the city.
Summer against winter
Leeds has its best month in May, at 118.1 kWh per kWp. Its worst is December, at 31.8 kWh per kWp. May therefore delivers about 3.7 times the output of December.
For a 4 kWp system, that means roughly 472 kWh in May and 127 kWh in December. Because winter output is thin, a Leeds home will buy most of its winter power from the grid. Our post on whether a solar battery is worth it tests when storage earns its cost. Our page on solar battery storage covers sizing.
Tilt and direction
PVGIS puts the best fixed tilt for Leeds at 41 degrees. That gives 951 kWh per kWp, only a little above the 947 you get at 35 degrees. Most pitched roofs already sit near that range.
Direction matters more. Our London run shows an east-facing roof at 35 degrees loses about 20% against south, and a west-facing one loses about 23%. The calculator lets you test your own angle and compass direction.
Selling power back
Any power you do not use goes to the grid. In Great Britain, larger suppliers must offer a Smart Export Guarantee tariff. Energy Saving Trust says about 12p per kWh is typical at the time of writing. Each supplier sets its own rate, so compare before you sign.
Our guide to the Smart Export Guarantee explains the rules in plain words. Your system needs MCS certification and a meter that records export.
Planning in Leeds
In England, panels on a house roof are normally permitted development. Their limit is 200mm out from the roof slope, and they must stay below the highest part of the roof. The Planning Portal sets out the full rules.
Listed buildings need planning permission and listed building consent. In a conservation area, however, panels cannot go on a wall or roof section that fronts a highway. Leeds City Council is the planning authority, and it can tell you whether an Article 4 direction applies to your street.
The grid connection
Most of Leeds takes its power from Northern Powergrid. Since your postcode fixes the operator, use the Energy Networks Association lookup if you are unsure.
A system up to 16A per phase, about 3.68kW on a single-phase supply, falls under rule G98. Your installer tells the network operator within 28 days of commissioning. Larger systems fall under G99, which needs approval before installation, as MCS explains.
Getting quotes
Solar Yield is an independent estimator and referral service. It does not install panels. It passes your enquiry to MCS-certified installers, and you can check any installer on the MCS register.
Read our guide to solar panel installation before you compare offers. Some owners plan a heat pump later. Our note on solar panels and heat pumps covers how the two fit together. MCS rules say an estimate is guidance, not a guarantee.
You may also want a comparison with nearby areas. See solar output in York and the Sheffield estimate for neighbouring figures. While the numbers sit close together, your roof details still decide the result.
Next steps
Use the Solar Yield calculator to estimate output for your own roof. Then send your details through our quote form to receive offers from MCS-certified installers. Estimate openly, then check it against the installer’s figures.