Oxford is one of the better-placed English cities for solar. PVGIS, the European Commission’s free solar model, estimates 1,018 kWh per kWp a year for a south-facing roof at 35 degrees. That is almost identical to London, which sits at 1,019 kWh per kWp.
Solar Yield is an independent estimator, not an installer. This page shows what the data means for a home in Oxford, and how to turn it into quotes you can check.
What a typical Oxford system could produce
Annual output scales with system size. A 4 kWp system, which is close to the default in our calculator, could generate about 4,072 kWh a year. A 4.5 kWp system could reach about 4,581 kWh.
For context, 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 system in Oxford can therefore generate more than that in total. However, much of the output arrives in summer, when demand is low.
The UK spread is wide. Glasgow sits at 853 kWh per kWp, while Aberdeen reaches 893 kWh per kWp. Oxford produces about 14% more than Aberdeen per kWp, so the same panels earn more here than in the north-east of Scotland.
Best month and worst month
PVGIS gives a monthly figure for each city. In Oxford, July is the strongest month at 124.7 kWh per kWp, while December is the weakest at 34.5 kWh per kWp. That is a gap of about 3.6 times.
May, June and July together produce 368.6 kWh per kWp. In contrast, November, December and January together produce only 121.5 kWh per kWp. Winter output is small, so a December bill will still be mostly grid electricity.
Tilt and direction
PVGIS puts the optimal tilt in Oxford at 40 degrees, which gives 1,021 kWh per kWp. At 35 degrees the figure is 1,018 kWh per kWp. Since the difference is tiny, tilt is rarely the deciding factor on a normal pitched roof.
Direction matters more. Energy Saving Trust says east or west facing roofs tend to give 15% to 20% less than south. Our post on the best tilt angle for solar panels in the UK shows how to judge your own roof.
Planning rules and Oxford City Council
Oxford is in England, where roof panels on a house are normally permitted development. Panels must not project more than 200 mm from the roof slope. They also must not rise above 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, panels cannot go on a wall, balcony or roof enclosure that fronts a highway. Oxford City Council is the local planning authority, and it can tell you whether an Article 4 direction removes your rights.
Grid connection under SSEN Distribution
Your network operator depends on your postcode, and in Oxford 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.
Larger systems fall under G99. The installer must apply and get approval before installing, and the operator may limit export. MCS explains both routes on its notifying network operators page. Installers normally file the paperwork for you.
Cost and quotes
DESNZ data for 2025 to 2026 puts the 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 statistics. Quotes vary, so compare several.
A good quote states expected annual output and the roof 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.
If you want storage, our page on solar battery storage covers when a battery makes sense. The main service page on solar panel installation explains how referrals work. Readers comparing regions can also see the solar output figures for London or the Bristol solar installation page.
Next steps
Start with the solar yield calculator to test your own roof direction and tilt. Then use get quotes to send one enquiry to MCS-certified installers. Solar Yield passes your details on and does not install anything itself.