Somerset has the highest proportion of off-gas-grid properties of any county in England. In some constituencies — Glastonbury and Somerton, Yeovil, Wells — nearly 40% of homes are not connected to the mains gas network, relying instead on oil, LPG, or electric heating. For these homeowners, solar panels are not just about reducing an electricity bill — they are the foundation of a whole-home energy solution that can eliminate fossil fuel dependency entirely.
The Off-Gas-Grid Opportunity
Oil and LPG heating are expensive and carbon-intensive. In 2026, domestic heating oil costs approximately £0.80–£0.90/litre, and a typical oil-heated Somerset farmhouse or village property uses 2,000–3,500 litres per year — an annual heating bill of £1,600–£3,150 just for the boiler fuel, before electricity costs.
For these homes, the combination of solar panels + battery storage + air source heat pump represents a transformative change. The solar panels generate free electricity during the day; the battery stores surplus for evening and overnight use; and the heat pump uses this electricity extremely efficiently to heat the home and hot water — typically producing 3–4 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity consumed (a COP of 3–4).
System Sizing for Rural Somerset Properties
Rural and off-gas-grid properties tend to be larger than average and have higher energy consumption. Our recommended system configuration for a typical Somerset farmhouse or large detached home:
- Solar PV: 7–10kW (16–22 panels). Larger rural roofs — often slate or clay tile, south-facing — can typically accommodate more panels than urban homes. Annual generation: 6,500–9,500 kWh in Somerset.
- Battery storage: 13.5kWh GivEnergy All-in-One or Tesla Powerwall 3. Larger capacity is essential to bridge the significant gap between daytime solar generation and evening/overnight heat pump demand.
- Heat pump: 8–12kW air source heat pump (size depends on heat loss calculation). Brands: Mitsubishi Ecodan, Vaillant aroTHERM, Daikin Altherma.
- Smart tariff: Octopus Cosy (cheap morning and evening periods for heat pump pre-heating) or Octopus Intelligent Go.
Realistic Savings for Off-Gas-Grid Properties
For a Somerset home currently paying £2,400/year for oil heating and £1,200/year for electricity (total: £3,600/year), switching to solar + battery + heat pump can deliver:
- Oil cost eliminated: saving £2,400/year
- Electricity bill reduced by 70–80% (solar self-consumption): saving £840–£960/year
- SEG income from surplus export: £150–£250/year
- Heat pump running cost (electricity for heating): approximately £600–£900/year (partially covered by solar)
- Net annual saving over oil + electricity: approximately £1,900–£2,600/year
Grant Funding for Off-Gas-Grid Properties
Off-gas-grid properties are specifically targeted by several funding schemes:
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS): £7,500 grant towards an air source heat pump. Available to all homeowners replacing an oil or LPG boiler.
- Warm Homes: Local Grant: Up to £15,000 for eligible lower-income households (income below ~£36,000, EPC D–G). Off-gas properties are given additional weighting.
- Lendology CIC: Interest-free loans for energy improvements in Somerset, B&NES, and North Somerset — particularly valuable for bridging the gap between grant funding and total system cost.
- 0% VAT on solar: All residential solar and battery storage qualifies for 0% VAT until March 2027.
Is a Fully Off-Grid System Possible?
A fully off-grid solar system — one that disconnects from the national grid entirely — is possible but rarely the right choice for most Somerset homeowners. A truly off-grid system requires very large battery capacity (often 20–40kWh+) to bridge the December–January solar generation gap, which makes it significantly more expensive. For most properties, a grid-tied hybrid system is optimal: connected to the grid for the winter backup, but self-sufficient for 80–90% of the year.
D&R Energy specialises in off-gas-grid renewable energy solutions across Somerset, including Wells, Frome, Glastonbury, Yeovil, Bridgwater, and the rural villages in between. Our off-gas solar page has more information, or call 0800 772 0758 for a free consultation on your property's specific off-grid potential.
