Heat pump or solar panels? Cost comparison for 2026

indekscen.pl editorial team · published 30 September 2026 · prices according to the 5 October 2026 index

In Poland, an air-to-water heat pump with installation most commonly costs PLN 40,000, while a solar panel system of around 5 kW costs PLN 22,500. They are not alternatives: a heat pump replaces your heat source, while solar panels generate electricity, so the choice depends on how you currently heat your home.

The question of whether to choose a heat pump or solar panels comes up often, even though these systems do different things. A heat pump heats your home and water using electricity. Solar panels generate that electricity. It therefore makes more sense to ask which to install first and whether you can afford both. Below, we compare installation, battery storage and servicing costs based on the price lists collected in our index.

How much does a heat pump cost compared with solar panels?

A comparison of median prices for a typical detached house:

Median and typical range from public price lists, as at 5 October 2026. Each price includes a source and quotation on the service page.

An air-to-water heat pump with installation with installation for a house of 100 to 180 m² costs a median of PLN 40,000, with a typical range of PLN 31,800 ‑ 52,500. The price includes the unit, installation and commissioning, and some quotes also include a hot-water cylinder. Installation alone, without the unit, costs around PLN 9,500, so the equipment accounts for most of the total. A ground-source heat pump with a borehole costs around PLN 75,000.

A photovoltaic installation system of around 5 kW with installation costs a median of PLN 22,500, with a typical range of PLN 21,300 ‑ 26,300. The price includes the panels, inverter, mounting system and commissioning. A larger system costs more overall, but less per kilowatt of capacity.

Conclusion: the median price of an air-source heat pump is roughly twice that of a small solar panel system. Battery storage is what closes the gap.

Do solar panels need battery storage?

It is not essential, but it changes the financial calculation. A energy storage system system with a capacity of around 10 kWh and installation costs a median of PLN 28,000, a smaller 5 kWh system around PLN 15,800, and a large 20 kWh system around PLN 54,800. A complete 5 to 6 kW solar panel system with battery storage costs a median of PLN 48,000, roughly twice as much as the solar panel system alone.

Battery storage makes sense if you use most of your electricity in the evening and at night, rather than during sunny hours in the middle of the day. If you are adding battery storage to an existing system, ask whether the inverter is hybrid, as replacing it involves an additional cost. Backup power during a power cut may also be a separate option. Applications for the Mój Prąd programme offering grants for battery storage closed in September 2025. Check current support schemes before buying.

How much does it cost to maintain a heat pump and solar panels?

A heat pump requires an annual service, which is usually a condition of the warranty. A basic heat pump inspection (service) costs a median of PLN 500, around PLN 750 from a manufacturer’s authorised service provider, and around PLN 1,000 in large urban areas. The service includes leak checks, filter cleaning and performance tests. Replacement parts are charged separately. For comparison, a gas boiler service costs a median of PLN 300.

Solar panels do not require mandatory annual servicing. The main costs are solar panel cleaning (a median of PLN 20 per panel when rain is not enough) and replacing the inverter after more than a decade, which we do not yet list separately in the index.

What other costs should you add to the price of a heat pump?

The median heat pump price covers connection to an existing heating system. Several items may be excluded from the quote:

• Buffer tank and frost protection, which some installers price separately.
• Underfloor heating. A heat pump operates most efficiently at a low flow temperature. underfloor heating costs a median of 18,000 PLN/100m². In an older house with small radiators, they may need to be replaced with larger ones.
• Borehole drilling for a ground-source heat pump, which accounts for a large share of the price difference.

The list of potential extras for solar panels is shorter: it may include strengthening the roof structure or installing the panels on the ground if the roof faces the wrong direction.

Heat pump or solar panels: which is right for whom?

Situation	What usually makes more sense	Why
You heat your home with an old coal or oil boiler	Heat pump	It replaces the heat source; solar panels do not
You have a new gas boiler and use a lot of electricity during the day	Solar panels	Lower upfront cost, and the heat pump can wait
You are building a new house	Heat pump, then solar panels	A heat pump works best with underfloor heating and good insulation
You already have a heat pump	Solar panels	The heat pump increases electricity use, and the panels will cover part of it
Your home is poorly insulated	Insulation and an energy audit first	A heat pump costs more to run in a draughty house and requires a higher capacity

The key principle is that a heat pump increases electricity use, while solar panels cover part of that demand, so the two work best together. If your budget only allows for one investment, start with the one that solves the biggest problem. If your heating is expensive and polluting, choose a heat pump. If you have a modern heating system but high electricity bills, choose solar panels.

How much does a heat pump cost in different cities?

We have local heat pump prices for 3 cities:

Heat pump with installation: cities from cheapest to most expensive. Median and typical range from public price lists, as at 5 October 2026. Each price includes a source and quotation on the service page.

The difference between Białystok (PLN 27,500) and Warsaw (PLN 55,000) is substantial, but it reflects not only local rates but also the quality of the units included in the quotes. We do not yet have separate solar panel prices for individual cities.

Where should you start before spending any money?

• Energy audit. An energy audit costs a median of PLN 1,550 and shows how much heat your home actually needs. This is essential for selecting the right heat pump capacity.
• Insulation. If your home loses heat through the walls and roof, house insulation (a median of 220 PLN/m²) often delivers greater benefits than a new heat source.
• Compare quotes for the same scope of work. For a heat pump, ask about its capacity, the hot-water cylinder, buffer tank and servicing costs. For solar panels, ask about the capacity, inverter brand and whether battery storage can be added later.
• Do not oversize the system. An oversized heat pump or solar panel system costs more without providing any benefit.

If you are planning a new build, include both systems in the budget from the outset. Read more about budgeting in our article on the cost of building a house.

The prices in this article come from installers’ public price lists and industry articles. Each price has a source and quotation on the relevant service page, for example heat pump and solar panels. We do not provide estimated savings because they depend on the house, tariff and consumption. Calculate them with an installer or energy auditor.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more expensive: a heat pump or solar panels?

Pompa ciepła powietrze-woda z montażem kosztuje w medianie PLN 40,000, a fotowoltaika około 5 kW PLN 22,500. Pompa jest droższa; zbliża je dopiero fotowoltaika z magazynem energii, w medianie PLN 48,000.

How much does a ground-source heat pump cost?

Pompa gruntowa z odwiertem i montażem to w naszych źródłach około PLN 75,000, czyli wyraźnie więcej niż pompa powietrzna (PLN 40,000).

How much does battery storage for solar panels cost?

Magazyn około 10 kWh z montażem to w medianie PLN 28,000, mniejszy 5 kWh około PLN 15,800. Może wymagać wymiany falownika na hybrydowy.

How much does heat pump servicing cost?

Podstawowy roczny przegląd to w medianie PLN 500. Konserwacja gwarancyjna u autoryzowanego serwisu producenta to około PLN 750.

Translation of the original Polish article dated 30 September 2026. Quotations from price lists are in Polish, as published by the companies. Read the original in Polish.

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