Solar export in Edinburgh and the Lothians
Quick answer
How much can solar panels export in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh has the highest solar yield in our Scottish figures, at around 870 kWh per kWp a year. A 4kW system there could generate about 3,480 kWh annually. Homes in Edinburgh and the Lothians connect through SP Energy Networks, and any electricity you export can be paid under a Smart Export Guarantee tariff from your chosen supplier.
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Covering Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian, West Lothian and nearby.
Tenements, conservation areas and Lothian homes
Much of central Edinburgh is made up of stone tenements and terraces, and large parts of the Old and New Towns sit within conservation areas and the World Heritage Site. Panels on a shared tenement roof usually need agreement from the other owners under the title deeds, and listed buildings or homes in conservation areas may need planning permission or listed building consent from the City of Edinburgh Council.
Further out, bungalows and semi-detached houses in places such as Corstorphine, Musselburgh, Livingston, Dalkeith and Haddington often have simpler pitched roofs. East Lothian is one of the drier parts of Scotland, and farms across the Lothians often have large barn and shed roofs that suit bigger systems.
Local generation estimate for Edinburgh
Using PVGIS data and the MCS MIS 3002 method, Edinburgh averages about 870 kWh per kWp a year. A 4kW system would produce around 3,480 kWh. If about 65% is exported, that is roughly 2,262 kWh a year sent to the grid. These are estimates, not a promise of income, and what you are paid depends on your supplier's export rate. Your own figure depends on roof direction, pitch, shading and how much electricity you use at home.
Connecting to the grid in Edinburgh & the Lothians
The local electricity network here is run by SP Energy Networks (SPEN). Most home systems up to 3.68kW per phase are notified under G98 after installation. Larger systems, or a battery that takes total inverter capacity above that limit, need a G99 application before connection. Our installation partner handles this paperwork for you.
Choosing an export tariff
Export payments come from your electricity supplier under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), not from the network operator. Suppliers set their own rates and change them often. Published rates by supplier:
- Octopus Outgoing (12p/kWh)
- E.ON Next (12p/kWh)
- British Gas (9p/kWh)
- Scottish Power (8p/kWh)
Rates change, check the supplier. Last checked August 2026.
Suppliers ask for an MCS certificate before paying for exports. We install through MCS-certified partners, so your system comes with the paperwork suppliers need.
Neighbouring areas
Useful pages
Solar export questions in Edinburgh & the Lothians
Can I put solar panels on an Edinburgh tenement?
Often yes, but the roof is usually shared, so you normally need agreement from the other owners. In a conservation area or on a listed building you may also need consent from the City of Edinburgh Council. Our installation partner can advise during the survey.
Who is the network operator in the Lothians?
SP Energy Networks runs the local electricity network across Edinburgh and the Lothians. Most home systems are notified under G98 after installation, while larger systems need a G99 application before connection.
Do I need a smart meter to be paid for exports in Edinburgh?
Most suppliers need a smart meter that records exports so they can pay you for each kWh sent to the grid. Ask your supplier to confirm before you apply for an export tariff.
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