Solar panels in St Helens
£3,470 to £9,930 installed, 1,440 hours of sun a year, and 3,621 installations already in the council area.
What a system costs in St Helens
3kWp
£3,470–£4,960
Saves up to £380 a year. Pays back in about 11 years.
4kWp (most common)
£5,010–£6,810
Saves up to £617 a year. Pays back in about 10 years.
6kWp
£7,550–£9,930
Saves up to £966 a year. Pays back in about 9 years.
Source: Home Energy Quotes Cost Index, costs modelled March 2026, savings at the October to December 2026 price cap. Prices are estimates and include installation and VAT. Actual costs may vary.
St Helens in numbers
Published statistics for the St. Helens council area, not our estimates.
At the end of 2025 there were 3,621 solar PV installations in the St. Helens council area, about 44.7 for every 1,000 households, with 17.5 MW of capacity between them. The count covers every size of installation, on homes and businesses. 48% of homes with an EPC in the St. Helens council area are rated D to G, and the median energy score is 69, which is band C.
| St. Helens council area | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Solar PV installations (all sizes) | 3,621 (44.7 per 1,000 households) | DESNZ, end of 2025 |
| Homes with an EPC rated D to G | 48% | ONS, EPCs lodged to March 2025 |
| Median EPC energy score | 69 (band C) | ONS, EPCs lodged to March 2025 |
| Households on mains gas heating only | 84.9% | Census 2021, ONS |
| Warm Homes: Local Grant, 2025 to 2028 | £31,805,813 to the consortium led by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority | DESNZ, list updated July 2026 |
| Electricity network operator | SP Energy Networks (North Wales, Merseyside and Cheshire) | NESO licence area boundaries |
St Helens is served by SP Energy Networks, the electricity network operator for North Wales, Merseyside and Cheshire. Solar panels have to be registered with the network operator. Your installer normally does this: smaller systems are notified after installation, and larger ones need approval before work starts. St Helens is close to the edge of the North Wales, Merseyside and Cheshire area, so some homes may be on a neighbouring network.
These are published official statistics for the St. Helens council area, which covers St Helens, not Home Energy Quotes estimates. Sources checked 6 October 2026.
Is St Helens a good place for solar panels?
St Helens receives an average of 1440 hours of sunshine per year — close to the UK average of 1,493 hours. Combined with North West’s energy prices tracking the UK average, solar panels installations here may offer good value (individual results will vary).
St Helens has a population of 102,000, and the area falls within the North West region. We recommend getting at least 3 quotes to compare prices.
Find Installers in St Helens
We recommend getting at least 3 quotes from qualified installers before making a decision. Check reviews, ask for local references, and make sure warranties are clearly stated in writing.
What to check before hiring an installer in St Helens
- Qualifications — check the installer holds relevant qualifications and certifications for solar panels before signing any contract
- Local references — ask for completed jobs in St Helens or Merseyside
- Reviews — check online reviews before committing
- Warranty — product and workmanship warranties should be clearly stated in writing
- 3 quotes minimum — we recommend comparing at least three quotes to ensure you get a fair price
Questions about solar panels in St Helens
How much do solar panels cost in St Helens?
How many solar panel installations are there in St Helens?
Is there a grant for solar panels in St Helens?
Solar panels in St Helens qualify for 0% VAT until March 2027. In Great Britain, the Smart Export Guarantee pays for surplus electricity you export to the grid, at a rate each supplier sets.
How long is the payback period in St Helens?
Do I need planning permission in St Helens?
How do I find a good installer in St Helens?
Get quotes for your roof in St Helens
Up to three approved installers who cover St Helens may contact you. Free, no obligation.
St Helens on the map
Solar Panels in nearby towns
Last reviewed: . Costs are modelled estimates from the Home Energy Quotes Cost Index — see how we calculate them. Grant rates are checked against GOV.UK.