Indicative 4 kWp install in Edinburgh: £6,650–£7,800. Region: Scotland / North / NI (×0.94). Annual irradiance: ~820 kWh/kWp.
What Edinburgh homeowners actually pay
Edinburgh sits a touch above Glasgow on solar pricing because so much of the housing stock is listed or sits inside the World Heritage Site. A 4 kWp install on a Marchmont or Bruntsfield tenement runs £5,400–£7,000 — but only after every flat owner consents. New Town conservation officers refuse the vast majority of front-facing applications, so most central installs end up rear-only or scrapped. Stockbridge, Leith and the suburbs are far simpler.
Local notes for Edinburgh
New Town and Old Town are World Heritage — Listed Building Consent is mandatory and most front-facing installs are refused.
Marchmont and Bruntsfield tenements have shared roofs — every owner must consent.
Irradiance ~820 kWh/kWp/yr — the same band as Glasgow.
Home Energy Scotland interest-free loans (solar + battery) significantly improve payback.
Field notes
Old Town & New Town are inside a World Heritage Site — consent rate for visible panels is very low.
Home Energy Scotland loan: interest-free, up to £6k solar + £6k battery.
Frequently asked questions
Will conservation officers ever allow front-facing panels in the New Town?
Almost never. Rear-roof installs occasionally pass with all-black low-profile panels. Most central installs are rear-elevation only or scrapped.
Do I need a building warrant for solar in Edinburgh?
Not for standard rooftop installs. Warrants are only triggered by structural alterations. Listed Building Consent is the more common requirement in central postcodes.
Are Stockbridge and Leith easier than the New Town?
Considerably. Stockbridge has a mix of post-1900 conversions and Leith has lots of 1990s+ stock with no listed status, so most installs are straightforward.