Is it worth getting solar panels in Dorset?

✔ Getting solar panels in Dorset typically cuts your electricity bills by 79%

✔ Solar panel owners in Dorset break even in 13.89 years, on average

✔ One in 12 Dorset households have solar panels

Dorset is one of the sunniest spots in the country, making it an ideal location for owning solar panels. By installing solar panels, Dorset residents can cut their electricity costs and break even quicker than the national average. Before you buy solar panels in Dorset, you should find out if it’s worth it for your home.

We’ve covered everything from how much it will cost to get solar panels in Dorset, how much you could save on your electricity bills depending on your house size, and which solar panel government grants are available in Dorset.

We can also help you to compare solar panel prices. All you have to do is provide a few quick details, and our expert installers will be in touch with free quotes for you to compare.

Should you buy solar panels if you live in Dorset?

You should absolutely buy solar panels if you live in Dorset and can afford it.

The county’s beaches are popular for a reason, with Dorset receiving more sunshine than most places in the UK – meaning solar panels create more electricity here.

A typical three-bedroom household in Dorset will cut its annual electricity costs by 79% and break even in 13.89 years – which is quicker than the UK average.

You’ll then have at least another 12 years to enjoy free electricity and build up your savings, which is why the average Dorset home with solar panels can expect to make a total profit of £6,425 after 25 years.

Solar panels can also massively reduce your carbon footprint here. A three-bedroom household can expect to cut its emissions by 13.25 tonnes of CO2 after 25 years.

As long as you can afford how much solar panels cost, they’re an excellent investment.

How much sunlight does Dorset receive?

Dorset receives 12% more sunlight per year than the UK average, according to the European Commission.

This means it’s one of the best places in the country to own solar panels – in fact, only Brighton, Southampton, Plymouth, and East Anglia enjoy more sunlight than Dorset.

That’s why there are so many solar farms here, because compared to their counterparts in North Scotland, people in Dorset receive 33% more sunlight.

This allows them to break even about four years sooner than solar panel owners in Inverness..

But wherever you are in the country, solar panels work in the UK – solar panels work on cloudy days and even in snowy weather.

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Dorset?

It costs £705 to buy and install a 350-watt solar panel in Dorset, on average.

A typical three-bedroom household will therefore pay £7,050 for an array with 10 solar panels, which is usually enough to cover the home’s solar electricity needs.

To find out more about the kind of prices you’re looking at, check out our Solar Panel Costs guide.

Are there any solar panel grants from local councils in Dorset?

From April 2023 to March 2025, some homeowners in Dorset can get heavily subsidised or even free solar panels through the Home Upgrade Grant.

The UK government has handed Dorset Council £4.3 million to help improve the energy efficiency of homes in the area.

To qualify for funding, your household must earn a total gross annual income under £30,000, and your home must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E, F, or G.

28% of grants handed out nationally have been for solar panels. On average, they cover 86% of the cost of the panels and installation – though in many cases, the council will cover the entire bill.

A typical three-bedroom household receiving free solar panels would save £15,000 on its electricity bills over the next 25 years.

So far, 1,181 homes in the South West have signed up to receive funding from this scheme, which also grants for insulation, heat pumps, double glazing, solar thermal, and heating controls.

You may also be able to access national solar panel grants like the government’s ECO4 scheme.

How many homes have solar panels in Dorset?

13,038 homes have Microgeneration Certification Scheme-certified solar panels in Dorset.

That total represents 8% of all households in the area – well above the national average of 4.5%.

And that’s just MCS-certified installations. The actual number will likely be higher, as not every solar panel system is certified by the MCS.

Summary

So there you have it: Dorset is one of the best places in the UK to have solar panels.

Households will typically save more and break even sooner than homes in the rest of the country – and some may even be able to get free solar panels.

With our help, it’s simple to compare solar panel prices. All you have to do is provide a few quick details, and our expert installers will be in touch with free quotes for you to compare.

Written by

Josh Jackman Lead Writer

Josh has written about and reported on eco-friendly home improvements and climate change for the past four years.

His data-driven work has featured on the front page of the Financial Times and in publications including The Independent, Telegraph, Times, Sun, Daily Express, and Fox News, earned him the position of resident expert in BT's smart home tech initiative, and been referenced in official United Nations and World Health Organisation documents.

He’s also been interviewed on BBC One's Rip-Off Britain, BBC Radio 4, and BBC Radio 5 Live as an expert on everything from renewable energy to government policy and space travel's carbon footprint, and regularly attends Grand Designs Live as a Green Living Expert, giving bespoke advice to members of the public about heat pumps and solar panels.

Josh has also used the journalistic skills he developed at The Jewish Chronicle and PinkNews to investigate and analyse every green government grant in existence, and examine the impact on the climate of cryptocurrency, Glastonbury Festival, and the World Cup.

You can get in touch with Josh via email.

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Reviewed By

Tamara Birch Senior Writer

Tamara is a London-based journalist and has written about environmental topics for more than four years. This includes advising small business owners on cost-effective ways, like solar panels and energy-efficient products, to help them become more sustainable.

She has used her journalist and research skills to become highly knowledgeable on sustainable initiatives, issues, and solutions to help consumers do their bit for the environment - all while reducing monthly costs.

In addition to adopting sustainable practices in her personal life, Tamara has worked in the retail B2B space to help independent retailers think about their environmental choices and how they can help improve their business. She now uses this knowledge to help consumers do the same.

Her passion for sustainability and eco-friendly solutions stems from a long obsession with nature and animals and ensuring they feel looked after. In her free time, Tamara enjoys reading fantasy novels, visiting the gym, and going on long walks in new areas.

You can get in touch with Tamara via email at tamara.birch@mvfglobal.com.

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