Solar Panels Craigavon & Portadown 2026: Costs & Local Guide

Solar Panels in Craigavon and Portadown: A Local Guide for 2026

The Craigavon urban area, encompassing Portadown, Lurgan, and Craigavon itself, is home to a combined population of around 65,000 people and sits at the heart of the Upper Bann region. Stretching across the BT62 to BT66 postcodes, this area has one of the largest concentrations of new-build and relatively modern housing in Northern Ireland, a direct legacy of Craigavon’s designation as a new town in the 1960s and the continued residential development that has followed.

With electricity prices continuing to rise across Northern Ireland, homeowners across Portadown, Lurgan, and the Brownlow area are increasingly looking at solar panels to cut their bills. The area’s modern housing stock, good road links to Belfast, and growing installer coverage make it a strong location for solar adoption.

This guide covers everything a homeowner in the Craigavon area needs to know: what solar panels cost locally, how much electricity they generate, which areas and property types are best suited, how to find reliable installers, and what grants or schemes you may be eligible for.

What Do Solar Panels Cost in Craigavon?

Solar panel prices in the Craigavon area are broadly in line with the rest of Northern Ireland. The area benefits from a mix of local mid-Ulster installers and Belfast-based companies that cover the Upper Bann corridor (roughly 30 minutes from Belfast on the M1), which keeps pricing competitive.

Here is what you can expect to pay in 2026 for a fully installed solar panel system in the Craigavon area, including 0% VAT.

System Size	Panels	Typical Cost	Best For	Annual Savings
2.5-3kW	6-8	£4,500 - £6,500	Terraced house or townhouse	£250 - £440
4kW	10-12	£6,000 - £8,500	Semi-detached	£450 - £640
5kW	13-15	£7,500 - £10,000	Larger semi or detached	£550 - £790
6kW	15-18	£8,500 - £12,000	Large detached, high usage	£650 - £940

These figures reflect real quotes from installers covering the area. Your actual cost will depend on your roof type, panel brand, and whether you add battery storage. For a detailed breakdown of what is included in the price, see our full solar panel costs guide.

The single most effective way to get a competitive price is to compare quotes. Homeowners who get at least three quotes save an average of £800. Compare free quotes from MCS certified installers covering the Craigavon area.

How Much Electricity Will Solar Panels Generate in Craigavon?

The Craigavon area sits in the Upper Bann valley at approximately 54.4 degrees north. The inland position, surrounded by gently rolling farmland, means the area receives around 930 to 950 kWh of solar irradiance per square metre per year. This is a solid level, close to the Northern Ireland average and sufficient for strong solar performance. Summers can be slightly warmer than coastal areas, but this has a minimal impact on overall annual generation.

Here is what you can realistically expect from a solar panel system in the Craigavon area across a full year.

System Size	Annual Generation (Craigavon)	Best Months	Winter Months
3kW	2,450 - 2,750 kWh	May-Jul: 330-385 kWh/month	Dec-Jan: 50-80 kWh/month
4kW	3,300 - 3,500 kWh	May-Jul: 430-510 kWh/month	Dec-Jan: 60-100 kWh/month
5kW	4,100 - 4,400 kWh	May-Jul: 540-630 kWh/month	Dec-Jan: 80-125 kWh/month
6kW	4,900 - 5,300 kWh	May-Jul: 650-750 kWh/month	Dec-Jan: 100-150 kWh/month

These figures assume a south-facing roof at an angle of 30 to 40 degrees, which is the optimal setup. East or west-facing installations will generate roughly 80 to 85% of these numbers.

The seasonal variation is significant, just as it is across all of Northern Ireland. In June and July, a 4kW system can generate over 430 kWh per month. In December and January, output drops to around 60 to 100 kWh. Battery storage helps bridge this gap by storing surplus daytime energy for evening use.

Typical Savings for Craigavon Households

The amount you save depends on three factors: your system size, how much of the generated electricity you use directly (your self-consumption rate), and your current electricity tariff. Most households in the Craigavon area are on NIE Networks tariffs of around 27p to 30p per kWh.

Here is what typical homeowners can expect to save each year.

Property Type	System Size	Annual Generation	Self-Consumption	Annual Savings	Payback Period
Terraced / townhouse (3-bed)	3kW	2,600 kWh	45%	£300 - £410	12-14 years
Semi-detached (3-bed)	4kW	3,400 kWh	45%	£460 - £610	10-13 years
Semi-detached with battery	4kW + 5kWh	3,400 kWh	70%	£660 - £760	10-12 years
Detached (4-bed)	5kW	4,250 kWh	40%	£510 - £710	10-13 years
Detached with battery	6kW + 10kWh	5,100 kWh	75%	£960 - £1,120	9-11 years

Self-consumption is the key variable. Without a battery, a typical household uses 35 to 50% of the solar electricity it generates directly. The rest is exported to the grid, earning you a small payment (currently around 5 to 7p per kWh under the Smart Export Guarantee) rather than saving you the full retail rate. Adding a battery pushes self-consumption to 65 to 80%, which makes a significant difference to your annual savings.

For a deeper dive into the payback calculation, see our solar panel payback period guide.

Housing Stock and Solar Suitability

The Craigavon area has a distinctive housing profile, shaped by its new town history and continued development. The result is a large proportion of relatively modern housing that is well suited to solar.

Terraced houses and townhouses

Portadown has a stock of older terraced housing in the town centre and along the main roads, while newer townhouse developments are found across all three towns. Older terraces in Portadown typically suit systems of 2.5kW to 3.5kW. Modern townhouses often have cleaner roof lines and can sometimes accommodate slightly larger systems. The key consideration is roof orientation and any shading from adjacent properties.

For a full breakdown of what works on terraced houses, read our terraced house solar guide.

Semi-detached houses

Semi-detached homes are the dominant property type across the Craigavon area, from the post-war estates in Portadown and Lurgan to the newer developments in the Brownlow area and along the connecting corridors. The planned nature of many of these estates means consistent roof sizes and orientations, which simplifies solar installation. Most semis can accommodate a 4kW system (10 to 12 panels) comfortably on one roof face.

The 4kW system is the most popular choice, costing £6,000 to £8,500 and saving £460 to £610 per year. This gives a payback period of roughly 10 to 13 years.

Detached houses

Detached properties are common in the outer parts of Portadown and Lurgan, and in the surrounding villages and countryside. The rural hinterland around Tandragee, Waringstown, and Donaghcloney has a high proportion of detached houses and farmhouses with generous roof space. These properties suit larger systems of 5kW to 6kW and often have the land for ground-mounted panels as well.

New-build estates

The Craigavon area continues to see significant new housing development. Modern estates at Kernan, the Meadows area, and across the borough have clean, well-proportioned roofs that are ideal for solar. New-build homes typically have better insulation than older properties, which means the solar contribution is proportionally more valuable (you need less electricity overall, so solar covers a bigger share). Our guide on solar panels for new builds covers what to look for.

Bungalows

Bungalows are common in the surrounding countryside and villages. They often have extensive roof area relative to floor space, making them excellent candidates for solar. See our bungalow solar guide for more detail.

Best Areas for Solar in the Craigavon Area

Here is an area-by-area breakdown of solar potential.

Portadown (BT62/BT63)

Portadown is the largest of the three linked towns, with a mix of older housing in the centre and newer estates on the edges. The established suburbs along the Gilford Road, Brownstown Road, and Tandragee Road have good semi-detached housing stock suited to 4kW systems. The town centre terraces are more varied, but rear-facing installations of 2.5kW to 3.5kW work well. Portadown’s position on slightly higher ground compared to the river valley means good solar exposure across most of the town.

Lurgan (BT66)

Lurgan stretches along the shores of Lough Neagh’s southern edge, with the town centre’s Victorian terraces giving way to suburban estates on the outskirts. The terraced housing along William Street, Union Street, and the North Street area suits smaller systems of 2kW to 3.5kW. The modern estates on the edges of town, particularly towards Aghacommon and the Lough Road, have excellent solar potential with standard 4kW systems. Lurgan has pockets of higher fuel poverty than the borough average, so Warm Homes Plan eligibility is worth checking for households in the older parts of town.

Brownlow and Central Craigavon (BT65)

The Brownlow area was the heart of the original Craigavon new town development, and its housing reflects the planned approach of the 1960s and 1970s. Properties here tend to have uniform, modern roof structures that are straightforward for solar installation. The estates around Tullygally, Drumgor, and Moyraverty have a mix of terraced and semi-detached housing, and the consistent roof orientations within each estate make for efficient installations. This area also has higher rates of fuel poverty, which means more households may qualify for Warm Homes Plan support.

Tandragee and Waringstown (BT62/BT66)

These villages in the surrounding countryside have a mix of older cottages, established semi-detached housing, and newer builds. The more open landscape means less shading and good solar exposure. Detached properties and farmhouses in the rural areas between Portadown, Tandragee, and Waringstown are excellent candidates for larger systems (5kW to 6kW) and may also suit ground-mounted panels. Oil heating is common in these rural areas, so solar can form part of a broader energy cost reduction strategy.

Planning Permission in Craigavon

Most solar panel installations in the Craigavon area do not require planning permission. Domestic rooftop solar panels fall under permitted development rights in Northern Ireland, provided the panels do not project more than 200mm from the roof surface and do not extend above the ridge line.

The Craigavon area has relatively few listed buildings and no large conservation areas affecting residential housing, which means the vast majority of installations proceed without any planning issues. This is one of the advantages of the area’s predominantly modern housing stock.

Listed buildings

A small number of properties in Portadown and Lurgan town centres may be listed. If your home is listed (any grade), you will need both planning permission and listed building consent. Contact Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s planning department before proceeding.

Apartments and flats

If you live in an apartment or flat, you will need permission from the management company or freeholder before installing panels.

For the full rules on permitted development, see our solar panel planning permission guide.

NIE Networks: Grid Connection

All grid-connected solar panel systems in Northern Ireland require notification to NIE Networks. Your installer handles this as part of the installation process.

G98 notification (systems up to 3.68kW)

For smaller systems (up to 3.68kW per phase), your installer submits a simple G98 notification. This is straightforward and does not usually cause delays.

G99 application (systems above 3.68kW)

Larger systems require a G99 application. In the urban parts of Portadown, Lurgan, and Craigavon, the grid infrastructure is generally robust and approvals are routine. In more rural parts of the borough, the local grid may be less robust, which can occasionally cause delays. The G99 process can take 6 to 12 weeks.

Export payments

Once your system is connected and registered, you can earn income by exporting surplus electricity to the grid under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), typically at 5 to 7p per kWh. For more on this, see our guide on solar export payments in NI.

Grants and Financial Support

There is no Craigavon-specific solar panel grant in 2026, but several UK-wide and Northern Ireland schemes can reduce your costs.

0% VAT

All domestic solar panel installations in the UK benefit from 0% VAT, confirmed until at least March 2027. This saves around £1,200 to £2,000 compared to the standard 20% rate. You do not need to apply; the installer simply charges 0% VAT.

Warm Homes Plan

The Warm Homes Plan can provide fully funded energy efficiency measures, potentially including solar panels, for eligible households. Eligibility is based on income, benefits received, and the energy efficiency of your property.

The Craigavon area has pockets of significant fuel poverty, particularly in parts of Brownlow, older sections of Lurgan, and some of the rural areas where oil heating dominates. If you are on qualifying benefits or a low income, checking your eligibility should be your first step.

For full details, see our Warm Homes Plan guide.

NISEP (Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme)

NISEP provides funding through energy suppliers for energy efficiency measures in homes. Solar panels may be covered under certain NISEP schemes. The offerings change from year to year, so check the current position when you are ready to proceed.

Solar panel finance

Many installers offer finance plans over 5 to 10 years. In many cases, the monthly repayment is lower than the electricity savings, making the system cash-flow positive from day one. See our solar panel finance options guide for more detail.

For a full overview of every available scheme, see our solar panel grants guide.

Choosing a Solar Installer in the Craigavon Area

The Craigavon area has a reasonable selection of MCS certified installers, including several based in mid-Ulster and the Upper Bann corridor. Belfast-based installers also cover the area routinely. Including companies from both directions in your quote comparisons ensures you get a fair price.

What to look for

MCS certification is essential. This confirms the installer meets recognised quality standards and is a requirement for export payments and manufacturer warranties. Never use an uncertified installer.

Local experience matters. An installer familiar with the area will understand the common roof types and estate layouts. Ask for examples of previous installations locally.

Reviews and references. Check Google reviews, Trustpilot, and ask for references from previous customers.

Detailed, written quotes. A good quote should specify the exact panels and inverter, the number of panels, expected annual generation, what is included, and the total cost. Be wary of vague quotes or verbal estimates.

For a comprehensive checklist, read our guide on choosing a solar installer in NI.

Getting quotes

We recommend getting at least three quotes from different MCS certified installers. Homeowners who compare quotes save an average of £800.

Get free, no-obligation quotes from trusted installers covering the Craigavon area through our comparison service.

Is It Worth Getting Solar Panels in Craigavon?

For most homeowners in the Craigavon area, the answer is yes. The area’s modern housing stock, good solar irradiance, and competitive installer coverage make it a strong location for solar. A typical household installing a 4kW system at £7,000 can expect to save around £460 to £610 per year. That is a payback period of 10 to 13 years without a battery, or 9 to 11 years with one.

The Craigavon area has some particular advantages worth noting. The large number of new-build estates means many homes have clean, well-oriented roofs that make installation straightforward. The area’s continued housing development also means a growing community of solar adopters, which helps normalise the technology and make the decision easier.

For households on oil heating (still common in the rural parts of the borough), solar panels can complement a broader energy strategy. Generating your own electricity while also considering a heat pump or electric heating system can significantly reduce your overall energy costs and dependence on oil deliveries.

For a full analysis of the financial case, see our guide on whether solar panels are worth it in NI.

What to Do Next

If you are a homeowner in the Craigavon area considering solar panels, the process is straightforward.

Step 1: Understand your roof. Check which direction your main roof faces and how much unobstructed space is available. South-facing is best, but east and west work well too. If you are unsure, any installer will assess this during a free survey.

Step 2: Check your electricity usage. Look at your recent electricity bills to understand your annual consumption. This helps determine the right system size. A household using 3,500 to 4,500 kWh per year is well matched to a 4kW system.

Step 3: Check grant eligibility. Before getting quotes, check whether you qualify for the Warm Homes Plan or any current NISEP schemes. Parts of the Craigavon area have notable fuel poverty rates, so it is worth checking.

Step 4: Compare quotes. Getting at least three quotes from MCS certified installers is the most important step. Compare free quotes from installers covering the Craigavon area through our service. It takes two minutes and costs nothing.

Step 5: Choose your installer and schedule. Once you have compared quotes and chosen an installer, the installation itself typically takes just one to two days. From first enquiry to generating electricity, the whole process usually takes 4 to 8 weeks.

Solar panels are one of the best investments a homeowner in the Craigavon area can make in 2026. With electricity prices continuing to rise and installation costs at their most competitive point in years, the numbers speak for themselves. The sooner you install, the sooner you start saving.