Lancashire31 miles from HQ

SolarInstallationinPreston

160+ Installations3.3 hrs/day avgPop. 162,864

£190,000

Avg House Price

~66,000

Households

850-890 kWh/kWp/yr

Solar Yield

2030

Net Zero Target

Why Solar Works in Preston

Preston is now Lancashire's most populous district (162,864). Community Energy Preston (incorporated November 2023) is targeting 1MW+ of rooftop solar on local schools, colleges, and businesses. UCLan (rebranding as University of Lancashire from September 2025, ~35,000 students) offers IET-accredited BEng and MSc in Renewable & Sustainable Energy Engineering. Royal Preston Hospital — 877 beds, 8,800+ staff — is one of the NW's largest. Preston Western Distributor (£207m, opened July 2023) unlocks 5,300 new homes.

Preston pioneered the internationally recognised 'Preston Model' of community wealth building. Cosy Homes in Lancashire has already upgraded 176 homes with solar PV. Community Energy Preston is developing rooftop solar at schools and businesses.

160+ Installations

Completed in Preston

MCS Certified

All engineers accredited

2-4 Week Lead Time

From survey to install

31 miles

From our Salford HQ

Solar installation in Preston

Preston Solar Potential

Solar Yield

850+

kWh per kWp per year

3.3 hrs/day avg average sunshine. Optimal south-facing, tilted installation.

£0

Average annual saving

Typical Preston household with 4kWp system

2030

Net zero target

Preston council climate commitment

Planning in Preston

Planning Considerations

Climate emergency declared April 2019. Net zero target 2030. 11 conservation areas with Article 4 Directions in Fulwood and Ashton. Cottam Hall masterplan delivering 1,100 homes. Harris Museum reopened September 2025 after £19m transformation. Guild Wheel: 21-mile circular cycling Greenway.

Areas We Cover in Lancashire

Preston City CentreFulwoodPenworthamLeylandLostock HallBamber BridgeLongtonCottam

Postcode Districts Covered

All verified postcode districts within our Preston service area

PR1PR2PR3PR4PR5

Preston Neighbourhood Profiles

Chester blends Roman walled city character with Georgian townhouses and 1930s–60s suburban stock. 14+ conservation areas in the city core restrict front-elevation solar. Blacon (6,000+ homes, 1950s-60s) is the primary ECO4 opportunity.

Hoole

CH2

£280,000

avg price

Victorian and Edwardian terraced and semi-detached

Welsh slateEPC D–E

Rear-facing panels preferred; conservation area check required in historic Hoole

Curzon Park

CH4

£550,000

avg price

1960s–1980s detached houses with large gardens

Concrete tileEPC C–D

Blacon

CH1

£130,000

avg price

1950s–1960s semi-detached council stock

Concrete tileEPC D–E

High ECO4 eligibility; Solar Together enrolled 5,000+ CW&C households

Handbridge

CH4

£265,000

avg price

Victorian terraces and 1930s semis south of the Dee

Welsh slate and concrete tileEPC D

Upton

CH2

£255,000

avg price

1950s–1980s semi-detached and detached suburban

Concrete tileEPC C–D

Council & Community Solar in Preston

Chester's 800MW solar target by 2050 — 25x current capacity. Chester Cathedral (206 panels, Feb 2023) and Chester Zoo (430 panels, 113kW) demonstrate heritage and commercial sector adoption.

Chester Cathedral

206 panels

Chester Zoo

430 panels, 113 kWp

Countess of Chester Hospital Women & Children's Building

Northgate Phase 2 — 400+ homes

EV Charging in Preston

~220

Public chargers

Per 100,000 residents~59

Growing network; Chester Northgate and retail parks have rapid chargers; park-and-ride facilities being electrified

Home EV charging avoids public charging costs entirely. A 7.4kW home charger adds only ~4p/mile at Octopus Go tariff vs 40–70p/mile at public rapid chargers.

New Developments in Preston

New-build homes with solar as standard — all require professional maintenance, system health checks, and battery upgrades over time.

Higher Bartle

Taylor Wimpey/Bloor Homes

319 homes

Part L compliance with solar PV

Cottam (part of 5,300-home masterplan)

Morris Homes

443 homes

Part L compliance

Solar Energy in Preston

Preston's property market — centred around an average house price of £190,000 — is spread across approximately ~66,000 households throughout Lancashire. The mix of Victorian terraces, pre-war semis, post-war council stock, and modern new builds creates varied installation profiles. Roof pitch, orientation, material, and structural condition all factor into our MCS-compliant system designs, which are produced before each site survey using satellite imagery and then refined on the day by our certified surveyors.

Solar yield in Preston is approximately 850-890 kWh/kWp/yr kWh per kWp per year, based on 3.3 hrs/day avg of average daily sunshine across Lancashire. A south-facing 4kWp system will typically generate 3,300–3,600 kWh annually. Against a household consumption of around 3,500 kWh per year, that represents substantial self-sufficiency — particularly when paired with a battery that shifts daytime generation into peak evening demand. The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) then pays an additional tariff for every unit you export to the national grid.

Preston has committed to a net zero target of 2030, and local planning authorities are broadly supportive of solar and heat pump installations under permitted development rights. Homes with renewable energy systems are also increasingly valued: a solar installation with battery storage typically adds 2–4% to property value according to estate agent surveys, while an improved EPC rating directly affects mortgage eligibility and future sale price under incoming MEES regulations.

Energy prices have roughly doubled since 2021, making the financial case for solar generation stronger than at any previous point in the technology's history. A 4kWp system costing £6,000–£7,000 installed and saving £900–£1,200 per year achieves payback within 5–7 years — then continues generating free electricity for 25 or more years. With ECO4 grants available for eligible lower-income Preston households and 0% VAT on solar and battery equipment, the barriers to entry have never been lower.

Renewable Energy Services in Preston

Trusted by Homeowners

What Our Clients Say

4.9

Rating

0+

Reviews

Battery Storage

Andy gave me great advice about adding a battery to my existing system. He was very knowledgeable and clear. Thanks to all at SMS.

S

Sarah T.

Manchester

Solar Installation

All brilliant from beginning to the end. Professional team who really know their stuff. Would recommend to anyone looking for solar solutions.

J

James R.

London

Maintenance

I received very efficient and helpful service from this company. Especially Jaimie who came when he said he would and was friendly and professional throughout. Can't recommend this company highly enough.

D

David M.

Birmingham

Solar Installation

Fantastic service, super happy and professional with the team. Highly recommend and will use again for any future solar needs.

E

Emma W.

Leeds

Solar Installation

From start to finish the whole process was seamless. The engineers were punctual, tidy, and incredibly knowledgeable. Our energy bills have dropped significantly.

M

Mark P.

Bristol

Trusted By Industry Leaders

Tesla

Certified Installer

EcoFlow

Authorised Dealer

Octopus Energy

Trusted Partner

Phoenix Financial

Finance Partner

MCS Certified

Microgeneration Certification

NICEIC Approved

Electrical Contractor

RECC Member

Renewable Energy Consumer Code

Tesla Powerwall

Certified Installer

EcoFlow Partner

Authorised Installer

Octopus Energy

Trusted Partner

Octopus Energy

Partner of the Year

TSI Approved

Trading Standards Institute

EPVS Registered

PV Scheme Member

IWA Member

Insulated Wall Association

MCS Certified

Microgeneration Certification

NICEIC Approved

Electrical Contractor

RECC Member

Renewable Energy Consumer Code

Tesla Powerwall

Certified Installer

EcoFlow Partner

Authorised Installer

Octopus Energy

Trusted Partner

Octopus Energy

Partner of the Year

TSI Approved

Trading Standards Institute

EPVS Registered

PV Scheme Member

IWA Member

Insulated Wall Association

MCS Certified

Microgeneration Certification

NICEIC Approved

Electrical Contractor

RECC Member

Renewable Energy Consumer Code

Tesla Powerwall

Certified Installer

EcoFlow Partner

Authorised Installer

Octopus Energy

Trusted Partner

Octopus Energy

Partner of the Year

TSI Approved

Trading Standards Institute

EPVS Registered

PV Scheme Member

IWA Member

Insulated Wall Association

Ready for Solar in Preston?

Join the 160+ homeowners and businesses in Preston who already benefit from solar energy. Our local Lancashire team is ready to design the perfect system for your property.

Solar FAQs for Preston

In most cases, solar panels in Preston fall under permitted development rights and do not require planning permission, provided they meet standard size and placement conditions. Climate emergency declared April 2019. Net zero target 2030. 11 conservation areas with Article 4 Directions in Fulwood and Ashton. Cottam Hall masterplan delivering 1,100 homes. Harris Museum reopened September 2025 after £19m transformation. Guild Wheel: 21-mile circular cycling Greenway. Our team handles all necessary applications and compliance checks as part of every installation.