The short answer: there is no bad season, but late winter and early spring are often the best time. Installers tend to be less busy, and your system is ready for the months when it will generate the most.
What changes with the seasons
| Season | For | Against |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Often shorter waits; ready for spring | Short days and bad weather can delay roof work |
| Spring | Installed in time for peak output | Demand rises, so book early |
| Summer | Best weather for roof work | The busiest period; you miss part of the peak months |
| Autumn | Demand eases after summer | Lower output until spring |
Most of a system's yearly output comes between April and September. A system switched on in March captures nearly all of that first year's generation. One switched on in September waits months for its best output.
Why 2027 is different
The 0% VAT rate on installed solar panels and batteries ends on 31 March 2027, when the rate returns to 5%. Expect installers to be busy in the first three months of the year. If you want the work done before the deadline, start getting quotes well ahead. See VAT on solar panels.
Is now a good time to buy at all?
The things that matter more than the season are:
- Your roof. If it needs replacing soon, do that first.
- How long you will stay. Payback is typically around 10 to 12 years on a good export tariff.
- Funding. The Warm Homes Loan Scheme is open now.
Waiting for panel prices to fall further rarely pays, because each year of waiting is a year of savings lost.
How long to allow
From accepting a quote to generating electricity usually takes a few weeks, and longer if your system needs approval from the network operator first. See how long installation takes.
Back to how solar panels are installed.
Sources
Correct at the time of publication, 14 November 2026.
- HMRC, VAT Notice 708/6, energy-saving materials: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-on-energy-saving-materials-and-heating-equipment-notice-7086
- GOV.UK, Warm Homes Loan Scheme: https://www.gov.uk/warm-homes-loan-scheme
- Seasonal points are general guidance, not from a cited source.