Is Now a Good Time to Go Solar in Lancashire? (2026 Update)

Electricity prices are still high, panel costs have fallen and there's 0% VAT on installations — here's our honest 2026 take on whether solar makes sense in Lancashire right now.

The short answer

If you're weighing up solar panels for your Lancashire home, 2026 is one of the strongest cases we've seen. Three things have lined up at once: electricity prices remain historically high, the cost of a solar PV system has fallen considerably over the past decade, and installations still benefit from 0% VAT. Put together, that means a shorter payback and more money kept in your pocket from day one. As MCS-certified installers based in Preston, we're fitting more systems across the North West than ever — but it's worth understanding why before you commit. You can get a feel for your own numbers with our solar & battery savings calculator.

Electricity prices are still high

The biggest driver of solar's value is simple: the more you pay for grid electricity, the more you save by generating your own. Even with the wholesale market calmer than its 2022 peak, household electricity still costs around 24p per kWh under the current price cap — far above where it sat five years ago. Every unit your panels produce is a unit you don't buy from your supplier, and for a typical Lancashire household that adds up to meaningful savings each year. Those savings only grow if grid prices climb again.

Panels cost less, and there is 0% VAT

Solar has never been more affordable. Panel and inverter prices have dropped sharply, and since 2022 domestic solar and battery installations have carried 0% VAT — a saving currently scheduled to run until spring 2027. Add the falling price of battery storage and you have a system that pays for itself faster than it would have a few years ago. For a full breakdown of what you can expect to pay, read our guide on how much solar panels cost in 2026.

Does Lancashire get enough sun?

This is the question we hear most, and the answer is yes. Solar panels run on daylight, not direct sunshine, so they generate even on the grey days the North West is famous for. Lancashire typically sees 1,100–1,200 hours of sunshine a year, which is more than enough for a well-designed system to deliver strong returns. We've installed across Preston, Blackburn, Chorley and beyond, and our customers' generation regularly matches or beats expectations.

Get paid for what you export

You won't use every unit your panels make, especially in summer. The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) means your supplier pays you for surplus electricity sent back to the grid. Pairing your panels with battery storage lets you store that surplus and use it in the evening instead — pushing self-consumption from around 30% up to 70–90% and squeezing even more value from every panel.

Our verdict for 2026

For most Lancashire homeowners, waiting no longer saves money — it costs it, because every month without solar is another month of full-price grid electricity. The sensible next step is a free, no-obligation site survey so you can see real figures for your roof. Get in touch with our Preston team and we'll assess your property, estimate your generation, and give you a clear quote.