A typical roof here lands around 5.0 kW, with most eligible homes comfortably fitting within 3–6 kW. Each kilowatt of panels produces roughly 864 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 27.1p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.
Browse the scenarios below. Each battery size has its own expand — open the one that matches your plan (or just explore). For each system size (2–8 kW) we show annual output, how much you use directly, what gets exported, annual benefit, upfront cost, break-even, and a 20-year net. Negative numbers are possible — that’s the honest trade-off when adding more battery than your usage profile justifies.
No battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £727, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 14.0 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1729 kWh | 691 kWh | 1037 kWh | £187 | £104 | £291 | £4,069 | 14.0 yrs | £1,747 |
| 3 kW | 2593 kWh | 1037 kWh | 1556 kWh | £281 | £156 | £436 | £6,104 | 14.0 yrs | £2,621 |
| 4 kW | 3457 kWh | 1383 kWh | 2074 kWh | £374 | £207 | £582 | £8,138 | 14.0 yrs | £3,495 |
| 5 kW | 4321 kWh | 1729 kWh | 2593 kWh | £468 | £259 | £727 | £10,173 | 14.0 yrs | £4,368 |
| 6 kW | 5186 kWh | 2074 kWh | 3111 kWh | £561 | £311 | £872 | £12,207 | 14.0 yrs | £5,242 |
| 7 kW | 6050 kWh | 2420 kWh | 3630 kWh | £655 | £363 | £1,018 | £14,242 | 14.0 yrs | £6,116 |
| 8 kW | 6914 kWh | 2766 kWh | 4149 kWh | £748 | £415 | £1,163 | £16,276 | 14.0 yrs | £6,989 |
Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 2,035, battery £/kWh = 700.
3 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £874, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 14.0 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1729 kWh | 1037 kWh | 691 kWh | £281 | £69 | £350 | £6,169 | 17.6 yrs | £827 |
| 3 kW | 2593 kWh | 1556 kWh | 1037 kWh | £421 | £104 | £525 | £8,204 | 15.6 yrs | £2,290 |
| 4 kW | 3457 kWh | 2074 kWh | 1383 kWh | £561 | £138 | £700 | £10,238 | 14.6 yrs | £3,754 |
| 5 kW | 4321 kWh | 2593 kWh | 1729 kWh | £702 | £173 | £874 | £12,273 | 14.0 yrs | £5,217 |
| 6 kW | 5186 kWh | 3111 kWh | 2074 kWh | £842 | £207 | £1,049 | £14,307 | 13.6 yrs | £6,681 |
| 7 kW | 6050 kWh | 3630 kWh | 2420 kWh | £982 | £242 | £1,224 | £16,342 | 13.3 yrs | £8,144 |
| 8 kW | 6914 kWh | 4149 kWh | 2766 kWh | £1,123 | £277 | £1,399 | £18,376 | 13.1 yrs | £9,608 |
Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 2,035, battery £/kWh = 700.
5 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £948, Upfront: £13,673, Break-even: 14.4 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1729 kWh | 1210 kWh | 519 kWh | £327 | £52 | £379 | £7,569 | 20.0 yrs | £17 |
| 3 kW | 2593 kWh | 1815 kWh | 778 kWh | £491 | £78 | £569 | £9,604 | 16.9 yrs | £1,775 |
| 4 kW | 3457 kWh | 2420 kWh | 1037 kWh | £655 | £104 | £759 | £11,638 | 15.3 yrs | £3,533 |
| 5 kW | 4321 kWh | 3025 kWh | 1296 kWh | £819 | £130 | £948 | £13,673 | 14.4 yrs | £5,292 |
| 6 kW | 5186 kWh | 3630 kWh | 1556 kWh | £982 | £156 | £1,138 | £15,707 | 13.8 yrs | £7,050 |
| 7 kW | 6050 kWh | 4235 kWh | 1815 kWh | £1,146 | £182 | £1,327 | £17,742 | 13.4 yrs | £8,808 |
| 8 kW | 6914 kWh | 4840 kWh | 2074 kWh | £1,310 | £207 | £1,517 | £19,776 | 13.0 yrs | £10,567 |
Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 2,035, battery £/kWh = 700.
7.5 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £970, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 15.9 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1729 kWh | 1262 kWh | 467 kWh | £341 | £47 | £388 | £9,319 | 24.0 yrs | £-1,556 |
| 3 kW | 2593 kWh | 1893 kWh | 700 kWh | £512 | £70 | £582 | £11,354 | 19.5 yrs | £290 |
| 4 kW | 3457 kWh | 2524 kWh | 933 kWh | £683 | £93 | £776 | £13,388 | 17.2 yrs | £2,137 |
| 5 kW | 4321 kWh | 3155 kWh | 1167 kWh | £854 | £117 | £970 | £15,423 | 15.9 yrs | £3,984 |
| 6 kW | 5186 kWh | 3786 kWh | 1400 kWh | £1,024 | £140 | £1,164 | £17,457 | 15.0 yrs | £5,831 |
| 7 kW | 6050 kWh | 4417 kWh | 1634 kWh | £1,195 | £163 | £1,358 | £19,492 | 14.3 yrs | £7,678 |
| 8 kW | 6914 kWh | 5047 kWh | 1867 kWh | £1,366 | £187 | £1,553 | £21,526 | 13.9 yrs | £9,524 |
Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 2,035, battery £/kWh = 700.
10 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £985, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 17.4 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1729 kWh | 1296 kWh | 432 kWh | £351 | £43 | £394 | £11,069 | 28.1 yrs | £-3,188 |
| 3 kW | 2593 kWh | 1945 kWh | 648 kWh | £526 | £65 | £591 | £13,104 | 22.2 yrs | £-1,283 |
| 4 kW | 3457 kWh | 2593 kWh | 864 kWh | £702 | £86 | £788 | £15,138 | 19.2 yrs | £623 |
| 5 kW | 4321 kWh | 3241 kWh | 1080 kWh | £877 | £108 | £985 | £17,173 | 17.4 yrs | £2,529 |
| 6 kW | 5186 kWh | 3889 kWh | 1296 kWh | £1,052 | £130 | £1,182 | £19,207 | 16.2 yrs | £4,435 |
| 7 kW | 6050 kWh | 4538 kWh | 1513 kWh | £1,228 | £151 | £1,379 | £21,242 | 15.4 yrs | £6,341 |
| 8 kW | 6914 kWh | 5186 kWh | 1729 kWh | £1,403 | £173 | £1,576 | £23,276 | 14.8 yrs | £8,246 |
Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 2,035, battery £/kWh = 700.
13.5 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £1,000, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 19.6 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1729 kWh | 1331 kWh | 398 kWh | £360 | £40 | £400 | £13,519 | 33.8 yrs | £-5,520 |
| 3 kW | 2593 kWh | 1997 kWh | 596 kWh | £540 | £60 | £600 | £15,554 | 25.9 yrs | £-3,556 |
| 4 kW | 3457 kWh | 2662 kWh | 795 kWh | £720 | £80 | £800 | £17,588 | 22.0 yrs | £-1,591 |
| 5 kW | 4321 kWh | 3328 kWh | 994 kWh | £900 | £99 | £1,000 | £19,623 | 19.6 yrs | £374 |
| 6 kW | 5186 kWh | 3993 kWh | 1193 kWh | £1,081 | £119 | £1,200 | £21,657 | 18.1 yrs | £2,339 |
| 7 kW | 6050 kWh | 4659 kWh | 1392 kWh | £1,261 | £139 | £1,400 | £23,692 | 16.9 yrs | £4,303 |
| 8 kW | 6914 kWh | 5324 kWh | 1590 kWh | £1,441 | £159 | £1,600 | £25,726 | 16.1 yrs | £6,268 |
Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 2,035, battery £/kWh = 700.
Figures are illustrative and use the same method as the calculator above. For exact results, adjust your roof direction, tariff, and usage in the calculator.