Solar on Wellington's homes
Wellington sits beneath The Wrekin, with streets of Victorian and Edwardian terraces close to the town centre and later housing around the edges. Both can work well for solar, but they raise different questions.
Older terraces: start with the roof
Panels are designed to last 25 years or more (Energy Saving Trust), so it makes sense to check the roof will too. On an older terrace, ask the installer to look at the condition of the slates or tiles, the roof timbers and the chimney stack before quoting. If the roof needs work in the next few years, doing it first can avoid paying to take the panels off and refit them.
Terraced roofs are often smaller and broken up by chimneys and rear extensions. A smaller system is normal; ask for a panel layout drawing so you can see exactly where panels will go.
Access and scaffolding
On terraced streets with no side access, scaffolding may need to go on the pavement at the front, or through the house to the back. Pavement scaffolding usually needs a licence from the council, which the scaffolder normally arranges. Ask whether this is included in your quote.
Which way do Wellington roofs face?
It varies street by street. As a guide, PVGIS gives about 971 kWh a year per kWp for a south-facing Telford roof and about 775 for east-facing. An east-west terrace can take panels on both slopes.
Grants and help with costs in Wellington
Wellington homes are in Telford & Wrekin, so the Warm Homes: Local Grant route is through Telford Energy Advice. It's worth checking if your home has an EPC of D or below. See Telford Energy Advice and the GOV.UK Warm Homes: Local Grant page. Solar panels and batteries for homes are also zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027 (HMRC Notice 708/6). Our grants guide covers ECO4, the Warm Homes Loan and export payments.
Costs
The Energy Saving Trust gives about £7,600 for a typical 4.5kWp system (fuel prices July 2026). Your quote depends on your roof and access. See the cost guide for sourced ranges by size, or try the rough estimator.
Choosing an installer
Whoever quotes, check them on the MCS register and confirm their consumer code. Here's how to check an installer.
Solar questions from Wellington
Can I put solar panels on a terraced house in Wellington?
Who do I ask about planning in Wellington?
Sources
- Energy Saving Trust: Solar panels (fuel prices July 2026; checked 25 Oct 2026)
- Energy Saving Trust: Solar panels (batteries section) (checked 25 Oct 2026)
- EU Joint Research Centre PVGIS 5.3 (Telford, 52.678N 2.445W, 1kWp, 35° pitch, 14% losses) (run 25 Oct 2026)
- Telford & Wrekin Council: Affordable warmth / Telford Energy Advice (checked 25 Oct 2026)
- GOV.UK: Apply for the Warm Homes: Local Grant (checked 25 Oct 2026)
- HMRC VAT Notice 708/6: energy-saving materials (checked 25 Oct 2026)
- MCS: Find an installer (checked 25 Oct 2026)
Figures change. We review this page regularly; if you spot something out of date, tell us through the form.