Pairing a heat pump with solar PV means using electricity generated by panels on your roof to run the heat pump, so less is bought from the grid. Solar PV (photovoltaic) panels turn daylight into electricity, and a heat pump is one of the largest electrical loads in an electrically heated home, so the two are often planned together.
Roof orientation and shading vary street by street in Glasgow and Dunbartonshire, so solar is assessed on each roof individually. For Glasgow and Dunbartonshire households out during the day, a battery can carry daytime solar into the evening heating period. Scaffolding access for solar in Glasgow and Dunbartonshire is checked at the survey, including terraced streets with shared passages.
Who it suits
- Households at home during the day or with flexible hot water timing
- Households considering a battery to store daytime or cheaper overnight electricity
- Homes with existing solar PV that currently export much of their output
- Homes with a roof facing anywhere from east through south to west, with little shading
Grants and rules for heat pumps in Scotland
In Scotland, heat pump funding comes through Home Energy Scotland rather than the Boiler Upgrade Scheme: a grant of up to £7,500 (up to £1,500 extra for eligible rural and island homes) and an optional interest-free loan of up to £7,500. For a home in Glasgow and Dunbartonshire, apply and receive the written offer before the installation date is fixed.
There is no VAT on installing a heat pump anywhere in the UK, Scotland included, until 31 March 2027. Scottish permitted development rules and building standards apply, and the surveyor checks the unit position and any listed or conservation-area constraints.
Prices
Solar panels and batteries are quoted separately after a roof survey. For heat pump system prices see the guide prices.
Towns we cover in Glasgow and Dunbartonshire
We cover 8 towns in Glasgow and Dunbartonshire for heat pumps with solar panels and batteries. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for Scotland.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glasgow | G2 | Bishopbriggs | 6 h 59 min |
| Bearsden | G61 | Milngavie | 6 h 58 min |
| Clydebank | G81 | Bearsden | 6 h 58 min |
| Bishopbriggs | G64 | Glasgow | 6 h 58 min |
| Dumbarton | G82 | Alexandria | 6 h 57 min |
| Kirkintilloch | G66 | Bishopbriggs | 6 h 58 min |
| Alexandria | G83 | Dumbarton | 6 h 57 min |
| Milngavie | G62 | Bearsden | 6 h 58 min |
Heat pumps with solar panels and batteries questions
Can solar panels run my heat pump in winter?
Only partly. In midwinter, solar panels typically generate a small fraction of their summer output, and the shortest days coincide with the highest heating demand. Panels may help on bright winter afternoons, but most winter heating will run on grid electricity or a battery charged from a cheaper overnight tariff. Solar contributes most to hot water from spring to autumn.
How much do solar panels and a battery cost with a heat pump?
Solar PV and batteries are quoted separately from the heat pump, because the price depends on your roof, the number of panels, scaffolding, the inverter and any battery size. We survey the roof and give a written quote for that part of the work. The heat pump itself is priced from its own guide ranges, shown on our prices page.
Is a solar diverter useful with a heat pump?
It can be, but less so than with a gas boiler. A diverter heats water through the immersion heater, which turns one unit of electricity into one unit of heat, while a heat pump typically makes around three. Scheduling the heat pump to heat water at midday usually uses solar more efficiently, with a diverter adding top-ups on very sunny days.
Should I fit solar panels before or after a heat pump?
Either order works, but planning both together helps. Knowing the heat pump's electricity use helps size the panels and any battery, and the electrical work for both can be coordinated, including the consumer unit and any notification to the network operator. If you already have panels, the heat pump controls can be set to use their output for hot water.