Solar Panels in Hampshire

A south-facing roof in Hampshire generates about 1,038 kWh per kWp a year on the EU's PVGIS model, modelled at Winchester, and every unit you use saves 26.47p at the Southern England price cap rate. A typical 4.5kWp system would make about 4,671 kWh a year.

How much electricity solar panels make in Hampshire

A south-facing 1kWp system at 35 degrees in Winchester generates about 1,038 kWh a year, according to the EU's PVGIS model. That ranks 5 of the 20 areas we cover, which run from 850 kWh in Glasgow to 1,119 kWh in Dorset. East and west roofs still work, at roughly a fifth less.

PVGIS is a modelled figure for an unshaded roof with 14% system losses, and it runs higher than the MCS method installers must use for your written estimate, which gives roughly 800 to 950 kWh per kWp for a well-oriented UK roof. Use PVGIS to compare places and the installer's MCS estimate to plan your budget. Our guides to which direction panels should face and how much electricity solar panels produce go further.

What that electricity is worth in Hampshire

Every unit you use yourself saves 26.47p, the Ofgem price cap rate for direct debit customers in the Southern England region from 1 October to 31 December 2026. The Great Britain average is 26.32p. Every unit you export earns whatever your Smart Export Guarantee tariff pays, which the Energy Saving Trust puts at around 12p typically.

Take the Energy Saving Trust's typical 4.5kWp home system. On the PVGIS figure for Hampshire it would generate about 4,671 kWh a year. If you used all of it, that would be worth about £1,236. If you exported all of it, about £561. Real homes sit between the two, and a battery or daytime use pushes you towards the higher figure. The Energy Saving Trust prices that typical system at around £7,600. See our solar panel cost guide and current export rates.

Detached homes and high ownership

At the 2021 Census, 34.0% of households in Hampshire County Council's area lived in detached houses, against 22.9% across England, and only 13.9% lived in purpose-built flats. Another 27.3% lived in semis and 21.5% in terraces. A detached house usually has the most roof space and no neighbours to agree with, which suits larger systems and a battery.

Hampshire also has high ownership: 69.6% of households own their home, against 61.3% across England, and 37.2% own outright. That matters because only an owner can agree to an install. See how many solar panels you need and our guide to solar battery storage.

The New Forest, South Downs and National Landscapes

Hampshire has two National Parks, the New Forest and the South Downs, and three National Landscapes, North Wessex Downs, Cranborne Chase and Chichester Harbour, covering around 38% of the county between them. National Parks and National Landscapes are article 2(3) land, so a flat-roof install there needs a prior approval application first.

The New Forest National Park Authority's guidance says roof panels are allowed if they stay below the ridgeline and project no more than 200mm, that in a conservation area they cannot go on a wall facing a highway, and that listed buildings always need listed building consent. Our guide to permitted development for solar panels has the national rules.

Grants and advice in Hampshire

Several Hampshire districts, including East Hampshire, Basingstoke and Deane, and Test Valley, take part in Warmer Homes, the Warm Homes: Local Grant consortium led by Portsmouth City Council with 30 other councils, and solar PV is a funded measure. It is oversubscribed, and new applicants go on a waiting list until the government decides on further funding.

The Environment Centre gives free Hampshire-wide advice on cutting energy bills and finding funding, for homeowners and private tenants. See our guide to solar panel grants in the UK.

How much solar Hampshire has, and your network operator

The government counted 56,759 solar installations across Hampshire County Council's 11 districts at the end of 2025, up from 49,751 a year earlier, about 97 per 1,000 households by our count. That is well above the UK average of about 69. Eastleigh had the most (8,126), followed by Winchester, East Hampshire and the New Forest. The government's first regional solar breakdown ranked the South East first in the UK, with 22,628 installations in 2026 up to July.

Hampshire's network is run by SSEN. A home system of 3.68kW or less per phase is notified on G98 Form B to SSEN within 28 days of commissioning; larger systems need a G99 application. See our G98 and G99 guide, and compare with solar panels in Kent or solar panels in Dorset.

Getting solar quotes in Hampshire

Get at least three written quotes from MCS-certified installers, each with a performance estimate for your roof and a full breakdown of what is supplied. That is the Renewable Energy Consumer Code's advice. Never pay more than 25% up front, and walk away from anyone offering a discount to sign on the day. Our guide to choosing a solar installer covers what to check.

Sources for this page

Local sources checked on 10 October 2026. Solar yields: PVGIS 5.2, EU Joint Research Centre, modelled 10 October 2026. Electricity prices: Ofgem price cap by region. System cost and export rate: Energy Saving Trust. Local sources:

• Hampshire County Council: protected landscapes
• New Forest National Park Authority: guide to types of alterations
• Warmer Homes (Warm Homes: Local Grant consortium)
• Test Valley Borough Council: energy efficiency and The Environment Centre
• Nomis: Census 2021 accommodation type (TS044)
• DESNZ: Renewable electricity by local authority, 2014 to 2025
• DESNZ: first regional solar breakdown, 27 August 2026
• SSEN: micro-generation installations up to 3.68kW per phase