Indicative 4 kWp install in Reading: £6,900–£8,100. Region: South East (×1.04). Annual irradiance: ~970 kWh/kWp.
What Reading homeowners actually pay
Reading is a strong solar location — Thames Valley irradiance of ~940 kWh/kWp/yr, abundant suburban tile roofs and a competitive installer market. A typical 4 kWp install on a Caversham or Tilehurst semi lands £6,000–£7,800, with annual generation around 3,760 kWh. South-facing detached homes in Earley and Woodley regularly fit 6 kWp+ systems with batteries, and the dense M4-corridor installer cluster keeps quotes sharp.
Local notes for Reading
Thames Valley irradiance ~940 kWh/kWp/yr — strong, just below the south coast.
Caversham and Tilehurst suburbs have generous tile roofs ideal for 5–6 kWp systems.
Conservation areas near the centre and along the Thames restrict front-elevation panels.
DNO is SSEN — busy on the Reading–Slough corridor, allow 5–7 weeks for G99.
Field notes
Generation ~3,760 kWh/yr from a 4 kWp south-facing array.
DNO is SSEN — busy corridor, G99 typically 5–7 weeks.
Strong cluster of installers across the M4 corridor keeps quotes competitive.
Frequently asked questions
Is Reading better for solar than London?
Slightly — irradiance is marginally higher and suburban roofs are typically larger and less shaded. Pricing is comparable.
What size system fits a typical Reading semi?
4 kWp comfortably; 5 kWp on most south-facing slopes. Larger Earley/Woodley detached properties regularly take 6–8 kWp.