What the PVGIS figures say about Nottingham
The European Commission’s PVGIS tool models Nottingham at 970 kWh per kWp a year. That figure assumes a south-facing roof at a 35 degree tilt. It sits in the middle of the UK range, so Nottingham is neither a poor nor an outstanding place for solar.
To turn it into a household estimate, multiply by the size of the system. A 4 kWp system comes to about 3,880 kWh a year. The same system in London would make about 4,076 kWh, while in Aberdeen it would make about 3,572 kWh. Nottingham therefore lands roughly 5% below London and 9% above Aberdeen.
The kWh per kWp explained guide shows how that unit works and why installers quote it. Treat it as the starting point, because every quote should trace back to a figure like this.
Summer against winter in Nottingham
The monthly figures show a steep seasonal swing. May is the best month at 119.1 kWh per kWp, while December is the weakest at 32.9. That is a gap of about 3.6 times between the two.
Four months, May to August, produce about 47% of the year’s output. November, December and January together give only about 12%. As a result, a roof that looks generous in June will feel quiet in midwinter.
This matters for savings. Most of your generation arrives when daytime demand at home is low, so you export a good share.
Ofgem’s price cap currently sets an electricity unit rate of 26.32p per kWh at the time of writing. The Smart Export Guarantee typically pays around 12p per kWh for exported units. Each kWh you use yourself is therefore worth more than one you sell.
Best tilt and roof direction
PVGIS gives an optimal tilt of 41 degrees for Nottingham. At that angle the modelled output is 974 kWh per kWp, only 4 kWh more than the 35 degree baseline. Most pitched roofs fall close enough to that range, so you rarely need to change the angle.
Direction matters more than a few degrees of pitch. Energy Saving Trust says east or west-facing systems tend to get 15% to 20% less energy than one facing south. If your best roof faces east or west, the estimate is still worth running.
Planning in Nottingham
Nottingham is in England, so the national rules apply. Roof panels on a house are normally permitted development. They must not project more than 200mm from the roof slope, and they must stay below the highest part of the roof.
Listed buildings need planning permission and listed building consent. In a conservation area, you cannot fit panels to a wall, balcony or roof enclosure that fronts a highway. Councils can also remove these rights with an Article 4 direction. Nottingham City Council is the planning authority, so check with it before you commit.
Grid connection through National Grid
Your postcode decides your network operator. In Nottingham that is usually National Grid Electricity Distribution, and the Energy Networks Association has a tool to confirm yours. The installer handles the paperwork, while you keep a copy for your records.
A fully type-tested system up to 16A per phase, about 3.68kW on a single phase, falls under G98. The installer connects first and notifies the operator within 28 days. Larger systems fall under G99, where the operator must approve the application before installation and may limit your export.
Ask your installer which route they expect to use. Many 4 kWp homes can stay under G98 by limiting export, whereas others apply under G99.
Cost and long-term output
DESNZ data for 2025 to 2026 puts the median installed cost at £1,595 per kW for systems up to 4kW. That makes a 4 kWp system about £6,400, before any battery. Installing solar and batteries in a home is currently zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027.
Output also drifts down with age. A large NREL review found a median loss of 0.5% a year. Our note on solar panel degradation explains what that means over 25 years. Dirt is another small factor, and our post on whether cleaning solar panels increases output looks at it.
If you want to store daytime surplus for the evening, read about solar battery storage before you decide. Batteries add cost, therefore the numbers need checking against your own usage.
Getting quotes for Nottingham
Solar Yield is an independent estimator and referral service, and we do not install anything. We pass your enquiry to MCS-certified installers. You can check any installer yourself on the MCS Find an Installer search. Our page on solar panel installation describes how the service works.
Compare at least two quotes. Ask each installer to show the kWh per kWp and shade factor behind their output estimate. If you are weighing up the East Midlands, the page on solar panels in Leicester shows a similar PVGIS profile. Sheffield sits further north, and the data for solar output in Sheffield is worth comparing.
Next steps
Start with the Solar Yield calculator to see an estimate for your own roof, size and direction. Then use the get quotes form to send one enquiry to MCS-certified installers. Check each estimate against the PVGIS figures on this page.