Solar panels in Telford

How much electricity could panels make in Telford?

We ran the EU's PVGIS 5.3 solar model for central Telford. For an unshaded roof at 35° with typical 14% system losses, each kilowatt-peak (kWp) of panels produces roughly:

Source: PVGIS 5.3, EU Joint Research Centre, run 25 Oct 2026. Real output depends on shading, pitch, equipment and weather.

For comparison, the Energy Saving Trust says east or west-facing roofs produce about 15 to 20% less than south, and north-facing roofs aren't recommended.

What size system suits which home?

The Energy Saving Trust's typical home system is 4.5kWp: around 12 panels covering 20 to 30m² of roof. In practice:

• Terraced homes often have less usable roof, especially with dormers, roof windows or chimneys. Fewer panels is normal.
• Semis and detached houses commonly fit a typical 4 to 5kWp system on one slope.
• Bungalows can have large, easy-to-reach roofs, but lower pitches and nearby trees matter more.
• East-west roofs can take panels on both slopes, giving a flatter output curve from morning to evening.

An installer should give you a panel layout and an estimated yearly output for your actual roof. If they can't explain how they got the figure, ask.

What affects how well panels perform?

• Shading from chimneys, trees, neighbouring buildings or Telford's hillier spots (such as the Ironbridge Gorge) can cut output. Optimisers or microinverters can help on partly shaded roofs.
• Roof condition. Panels last 25 years or more (Energy Saving Trust), so a roof needing work soon should be fixed first.
• When you use electricity. Power you use yourself is worth the most, because you avoid paying around 26.32p/kWh at the current Ofgem price cap. Exported power earns a Smart Export Guarantee rate instead.
• The inverter. The Energy Saving Trust says it'll probably need replacing during the system's life (they suggest around 12 years). Budget for that.

Planning permission in Telford

Most roof-mounted home systems are "permitted development", so no application is needed. On a pitched roof, panels shouldn't sit above the highest part of the roof (excluding chimneys) or stick out more than 200mm from the slope. There are extra limits for listed buildings and in conservation areas and World Heritage Sites, which matters around Ironbridge and Coalbrookdale. Full rules are on the Planning Portal (updated 27 August 2026), and you can ask Telford & Wrekin Council if you're unsure.

Connecting to the grid

Your installer notifies the local network operator, National Grid Electricity Distribution for Telford. Systems up to 3.68kW per phase usually just need a notification within 28 days of commissioning under G98; larger systems need approval before installation (G99). Ask your installer which applies to you.

Getting it installed properly

To get Smart Export Guarantee payments, your installation normally needs to be MCS certified (Ofgem). So choose an MCS-certified installer, get more than one written quote and read our guide to checking installers.

Questions about solar in Telford