Solar Panel Installation in Cardiff
MCS-certified solar installation, battery storage, and EV charging in Cardiff (Caerdydd) and the surrounding area. Local team, transparent pricing, and a 25-year performance warranty on every panel we fit.
About Cardiff
Cardiff began as a Roman settlement on the River Taff in the 1st century AD, with a small fort guarding the river crossing. For over a thousand years it remained a modest market town in the shadow of its Norman castle, granted to Robert FitzHamon after the Norman conquest of Glamorgan in the 1090s. The castle, much remodelled in the medieval and Victorian periods, still sits at the heart of the city today and welcomes more than a quarter of a million visitors each year.
The city's transformation came in the nineteenth century with the coal trade. The Marquesses of Bute, who had inherited the manor of Cardiff through marriage, invested heavily in the docks at Tiger Bay, and by the 1880s Cardiff was the busiest coal-exporting port in the world. Wealth from coal funded grand civic buildings — the City Hall, the National Museum, the Cardiff University Main Building, and the Pierhead among them — that still define the city's skyline. When the coal trade declined in the twentieth century, the docks fell quiet, but the regeneration of Cardiff Bay since the 1990s has turned the old industrial waterfront into one of the most striking redevelopments in Britain.
Cardiff became the official capital of Wales in 1955 and the seat of the Welsh Government following devolution in 1999. Today it is a fast-growing capital city of around 366,000 people, with strong sectors in financial services, broadcasting, higher education, and biosciences. The Principality Stadium, home of Welsh rugby, draws fans from across the country and abroad several times each year. Cardiff is also a notably green city for its size, with Bute Park, Roath Park, and the Taff Trail providing extensive open space within walking distance of the centre.
Why solar makes sense in Cardiff
Cardiff's position on the south coast of Wales gives it one of the highest annual solar irradiation figures in the country, comparable to large parts of southern England. The mild, temperate climate means panels operate efficiently in the summer months without overheating, and the relatively low average wind speed reduces design complexity for residential installations.
Many of Cardiff's suburbs — Llanishen, Whitchurch, Rhiwbina, Cyncoed, Pontprennau, Pentwyn, and the newer developments along the eastern fringe — feature housing well-suited to solar PV. Detached and semi-detached properties from the interwar period and the post-war estate building boom typically have generous south-facing or south-east facing roofs. The Victorian and Edwardian terraces of Roath, Cathays, Canton, and Grangetown can be more constrained but still routinely accept 8-10 panel installations.
Cardiff has a substantial number of conservation areas, particularly around Cathays Park, the Civic Centre, Pontcanna, and parts of Penylan. We have considerable experience submitting planning applications in these areas, and where panels are not permitted on the front elevation, rear-roof installations are usually approved without difficulty.
Our service area around Cardiff
We cover all of Cardiff and the surrounding south-east Wales. The map below shows the area we serve from our local team.
Our installers cover Cardiff (Caerdydd) and the surrounding suburbs. We are based locally and our engineers live in the communities we serve, so we understand the housing stock, the local DNO processes, and the conditions specific to this part of Wales.
What our Cardiff customers say
Genuine reviews from recent installations across Cardiff and the surrounding area.
"Welsh Solar installed a 4 kW system with a 5 kWh battery on our Victorian terrace in Roath. The team was friendly, the work was tidy, and the system has been generating exactly as forecast since installation. We have already cut our electricity bill by more than half."
— Sarah J., Cardiff
"Excellent service from start to finish. The survey was thorough, the quote was clear and fixed, and the installation was completed inside two days with minimal disruption. Two years on, the system is performing slightly above forecast and we have had zero issues."
— David L., Llanishen
"We were nervous about installing solar on our conservation-area home, but Welsh Solar handled the planning application beautifully and we were approved without issue. The panels are barely visible from the street and we are very happy with the result."
— Megan T., Pontcanna
"Professional installation team and a system that performs as promised. The only minor issue was a small delay in commissioning due to the DNO, but Welsh Solar kept us informed throughout. Would recommend to neighbours."
— Rhys H., Pentwyn
Frequently asked questions about solar in Cardiff
Does my Cardiff terrace house have enough roof for solar?
Most Cardiff terrace houses can accept between 6 and 10 panels, depending on roof aspect and any chimney or window obstructions. A typical 8-panel system produces around 3,200 kWh per year, which covers 40-60% of a typical small household's electricity use.
Do I need planning permission for solar in Cardiff?
In most cases no. Cardiff Council follows the standard permitted development rules for solar PV on dwelling houses. Conservation areas and listed buildings need planning permission, and we handle the application as part of our service. We have submitted dozens of successful applications across Cathays, Pontcanna, and the central conservation areas.
Who is my distribution network operator in Cardiff?
Cardiff is served by National Grid Electricity Distribution (formerly Western Power Distribution). We submit the DNO application on your behalf and handle all correspondence. Standard residential installations are typically approved within 4 to 6 weeks.
Do you cover Cardiff Bay and the apartment buildings there?
Yes. Solar on apartment buildings requires landlord consent and usually involves a freeholder-led project rather than individual leaseholder installations. We can advise on the process and have worked with several block management companies in Cardiff Bay.
How much does a typical Cardiff installation cost?
A 4 kW residential system in Cardiff typically costs between £6,500 and £8,500 fitted, depending on roof complexity and whether you include a battery. We always provide a fixed written quotation after a free site survey.