Solar panels in Llandudno

Conwy, the council area that holds Llandudno, had 114,741 residents at the 2021 Census. Solar Cymru is an independent solar guide and enquiry-referral service. We do not install panels. We refer your enquiry to MCS-certified installers.

This page works through the questions a Llandudno homeowner usually asks. They are about weather, roof direction, heritage and cost. Each answer uses a published source.

Does the weather rule out solar?

No. PVGIS models about 950 kWh a year for each kWp on a south-facing roof at 35 degrees in Llandudno. A 4 kWp system makes about 3,800 kWh a year on that basis. Our article asks whether panels work in Welsh weather and answers with figures.

Direction matters more than weather. A roof that faces east or west makes about 15 to 20% less than one facing south. In contrast, a north roof makes only 53 to 59% of south output, so the Energy Saving Trust does not recommend it. Our article on east-west and north-facing roofs shows when a split array makes sense.

Conservation areas, Conwy’s castle and Eryri

Cadw’s data records 24 conservation areas across Conwy, including one named Llandudno. Roof panels on a house often remain permitted development. However, a wall that fronts a highway needs planning permission in a conservation area. Check the council’s planning register for an Article 4 direction too, because it can remove rights.

Conwy’s town conservation area contains the castle and town walls. They form part of the Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1986. That site lies in Conwy town, so confirm which side of any boundary your home sits on. In a World Heritage Site, the same wall rule applies.

Part of Conwy also lies in Eryri National Park. The park authority, not the council, plans that land. The Welsh domestic rules do not name national parks, but you should ask the authority first. Our planning permission guide covers the wider rules, and Conwy County Borough Council runs the rest of the service.

Grid connection on the north coast

SP Energy Networks, through SP Manweb, serves North Wales. Check your address with the Energy Networks Association finder to be sure. A single-phase inverter up to 3.68 kW follows G98, and your installer reports within 28 days. Larger systems need the operator’s agreement first, so ask early. Our grid and export guide explains what the network operator needs.

Export payments come from your chosen supplier under the Smart Export Guarantee. Ofgem’s 2024-25 report found an average near 4.4p per kWh on untied tariffs. Meanwhile, the Ofgem price cap for October to December 2026 averages about 26p per kWh. Using your own power is worth more, although the two figures cover different periods.

Lifespan, warranties and care

Panels should last 25 years or more, according to the Energy Saving Trust. The inverter usually needs replacing after about 12 years, and its warranty starts at five years. Premium panels often come with 25 to 30 year warranties from the maker. Panels need little maintenance, because rain cleans those tilted at 15 degrees or more.

Still, check the details. Ask who handles warranty claims if the installer closes. Our article on how long solar panels last explains the numbers. MCS also requires installers to buy financial protection under its redeveloped scheme, with cover of at least six years.

Costs and getting quotes

National cost data and the Energy Saving Trust together point to roughly £6,500 to £8,800 for a typical 4.5 kWp home. Welsh and UK Government sources point to savings of around £450 to £500 or more a year. The 0% VAT rate on home installations ends on 31 March 2027, and 5% follows unless the law changes. Our funding guide lists Nest and Green Homes Wales.

Send a single enquiry through the quote form, and Solar Cymru refers it to MCS-certified installers. Our solar panel installation page explains the written design you should expect. You can also compare solar installers around Rhyl, panels in Bangor and quotes near Mold.