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Solar Panels in AB36 (Aberdeenshire)

See if solar pays off for you in Aberdeenshire — price, savings and payback in under a minute (official UK data).

Solar Calculator

Change the settings below to see how costs and savings work for your situation.

System Size

Roof Direction

Battery Storage

Export Value

Your Numbers

Break-even
14.6 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£10,173
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£698
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£7,286
After paying itself off, you're this much ahead

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How we calculate this

Solar generation: Based on typical south-facing roof at 35° angle. We account for weather, dirt, and system losses (14%).

How much you'll use directly:

  • Without battery: You'll use about 40% of what you generate. The rest gets sold back to the grid.
  • With 5 kWh battery: You'll use about 70% (battery stores extra for evening use).
  • With 10 kWh battery: You'll use about 75% (more storage means less exported).
  • Panel-only payback: Bigger systems don’t shorten payback—cost and savings rise together per kW.
  • Battery & payback: Batteries raise self-use and cut bills, but added hardware cost often lengthens break-even at typical UK rates.
  • When a battery can still make sense:
    • Evening-heavy usage patterns
    • Time-of-use tariffs / cheap night rates
    • Low export rate vs. high unit rate
    • Heat pump or EV charging synergy
    • Optional backup/resilience (system-dependent)
    • Lower evening-hour CO₂ vs. grid

Costs: Battery prices are typically £700 per kWh. Export tariffs vary by supplier (usually 5–15p per kWh).

Grid connection: Systems up to about 3.7 kW typically need just a notification (G98). Larger systems may need permission (G99).

These are typical values based on average usage patterns. Your actual results will vary based on your roof, shading, and how you use electricity.

Your area in context

In Northern Scotland, the current unit rate is 27.06p/kWh with a 61.00p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 830 kWh/kW — 15 above the regional median (815).

Read the full story

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 830 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.

Unit rate
27.1p/kWh
Standing charge
61.0p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
830 kWh/kW
Export price (baseline)
10p/kWh

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: £698, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 14.6 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1660 kWh 664 kWh 996 kWh £180 £100 £279 £4,069 14.6 yrs £1,518
3 kW 2490 kWh 996 kWh 1494 kWh £270 £149 £419 £6,104 14.6 yrs £2,276
4 kW 3321 kWh 1328 kWh 1992 kWh £359 £199 £559 £8,138 14.6 yrs £3,035
5 kW 4151 kWh 1660 kWh 2490 kWh £449 £249 £698 £10,173 14.6 yrs £3,794
6 kW 4981 kWh 1992 kWh 2989 kWh £539 £299 £838 £12,207 14.6 yrs £4,553
7 kW 5811 kWh 2324 kWh 3487 kWh £629 £349 £978 £14,242 14.6 yrs £5,312
8 kW 6641 kWh 2657 kWh 3985 kWh £719 £398 £1,117 £16,276 14.6 yrs £6,070

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: £840, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 14.6 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1660 kWh 996 kWh 664 kWh £270 £66 £336 £6,169 18.4 yrs £551
3 kW 2490 kWh 1494 kWh 996 kWh £404 £100 £504 £8,204 16.3 yrs £1,876
4 kW 3321 kWh 1992 kWh 1328 kWh £539 £133 £672 £10,238 15.2 yrs £3,201
5 kW 4151 kWh 2490 kWh 1660 kWh £674 £166 £840 £12,273 14.6 yrs £4,527
6 kW 4981 kWh 2989 kWh 1992 kWh £809 £199 £1,008 £14,307 14.2 yrs £5,852
7 kW 5811 kWh 3487 kWh 2324 kWh £943 £232 £1,176 £16,342 13.9 yrs £7,177
8 kW 6641 kWh 3985 kWh 2657 kWh £1,078 £266 £1,344 £18,376 13.7 yrs £8,503

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: £911, Upfront: £13,673, Break-even: 15.0 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1660 kWh 1162 kWh 498 kWh £314 £50 £364 £7,569 20.8 yrs £-283
3 kW 2490 kWh 1743 kWh 747 kWh £472 £75 £546 £9,604 17.6 yrs £1,326
4 kW 3321 kWh 2324 kWh 996 kWh £629 £100 £729 £11,638 16.0 yrs £2,934
5 kW 4151 kWh 2906 kWh 1245 kWh £786 £125 £911 £13,673 15.0 yrs £4,543
6 kW 4981 kWh 3487 kWh 1494 kWh £943 £149 £1,093 £15,707 14.4 yrs £6,151
7 kW 5811 kWh 4068 kWh 1743 kWh £1,101 £174 £1,275 £17,742 13.9 yrs £7,760
8 kW 6641 kWh 4649 kWh 1992 kWh £1,258 £199 £1,457 £19,776 13.6 yrs £9,369

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: £932, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 16.5 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1660 kWh 1212 kWh 448 kWh £328 £45 £373 £9,319 25.0 yrs £-1,863
3 kW 2490 kWh 1818 kWh 672 kWh £492 £67 £559 £11,354 20.3 yrs £-169
4 kW 3321 kWh 2424 kWh 897 kWh £656 £90 £746 £13,388 18.0 yrs £1,524
5 kW 4151 kWh 3030 kWh 1121 kWh £820 £112 £932 £15,423 16.5 yrs £3,218
6 kW 4981 kWh 3636 kWh 1345 kWh £984 £134 £1,118 £17,457 15.6 yrs £4,911
7 kW 5811 kWh 4242 kWh 1569 kWh £1,148 £157 £1,305 £19,492 14.9 yrs £6,605
8 kW 6641 kWh 4848 kWh 1793 kWh £1,312 £179 £1,491 £21,526 14.4 yrs £8,298

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: £946, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 18.1 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1660 kWh 1245 kWh 415 kWh £337 £42 £378 £11,069 29.2 yrs £-3,500
3 kW 2490 kWh 1868 kWh 623 kWh £505 £62 £568 £13,104 23.1 yrs £-1,749
4 kW 3321 kWh 2490 kWh 830 kWh £674 £83 £757 £15,138 20.0 yrs £1
5 kW 4151 kWh 3113 kWh 1038 kWh £842 £104 £946 £17,173 18.1 yrs £1,751
6 kW 4981 kWh 3736 kWh 1245 kWh £1,011 £125 £1,135 £19,207 16.9 yrs £3,501
7 kW 5811 kWh 4358 kWh 1453 kWh £1,179 £145 £1,325 £21,242 16.0 yrs £5,251
8 kW 6641 kWh 4981 kWh 1660 kWh £1,348 £166 £1,514 £23,276 15.4 yrs £7,002

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: £960, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 20.4 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1660 kWh 1278 kWh 382 kWh £346 £38 £384 £13,519 35.2 yrs £-5,836
3 kW 2490 kWh 1918 kWh 573 kWh £519 £57 £576 £15,554 27.0 yrs £-4,029
4 kW 3321 kWh 2557 kWh 764 kWh £692 £76 £768 £17,588 22.9 yrs £-2,223
5 kW 4151 kWh 3196 kWh 955 kWh £865 £95 £960 £19,623 20.4 yrs £-416
6 kW 4981 kWh 3835 kWh 1146 kWh £1,038 £115 £1,152 £21,657 18.8 yrs £1,391
7 kW 5811 kWh 4475 kWh 1337 kWh £1,211 £134 £1,344 £23,692 17.6 yrs £3,198
8 kW 6641 kWh 5114 kWh 1527 kWh £1,384 £153 £1,537 £25,726 16.7 yrs £5,005

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.

Insights for AB36

Figures below are tailored to AB36 — click through for full league tables.

Solar Payback Index Rank #2663 of 2997
12.6 years (UK avg 11.3 years)
~£644 /yr • £8,138 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #2829 of 2997
34.6% (UK avg 21.7%) drag on savings
£223 fixed • ~£644 /yr value

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
27.06p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
61.00p/day
Local Sunshine
830kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~830 kWh per year. A typical home uses ~2,700 kWh per year.
Typical System Size
5.0kW
For houses & bungalows in this area

Local Property Data

Property Types

No EPC data available for this outcode

Coverage

Aberdeenshire (100%)

Areas Covered

Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside

Data Sources & Assumptions

Solar yield: PVGIS (EU Joint Research Centre), January 2025 data

Electricity rates: Ofgem price cap, Q4 2025

Installation costs: MCS certified installer data, March 2025

Property data: EPC open data (Open Government Licence), aggregated

All estimates are typical values. Actual results vary based on your specific situation, roof characteristics, and usage patterns.

Compare nearby areas

Nearby in Northern Scotland

AB35 (Aberdeenshire)
≈16.5 km away
Local sunshine: ~780 kWh/kWp · -6% vs AB36
AB34 (Aberdeenshire)
≈21.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~832 kWh/kWp · +0% vs AB36
AB33 (Aberdeenshire)
≈22.4 km away
Local sunshine: ~830 kWh/kWp · -0% vs AB36
AB37 (Moray)
≈23.3 km away
Local sunshine: ~773 kWh/kWp · -7% vs AB36
AB52 (Aberdeenshire)
≈32.3 km away
Local sunshine: ~853 kWh/kWp · +3% vs AB36
AB38 (Moray)
≈32.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~799 kWh/kWp · -4% vs AB36

Similar sunshine across the UK

G11 (Glasgow City)
~830 kWh/kWp · +0% vs AB36
G14 (Glasgow City)
~830 kWh/kWp · +0% vs AB36
G20 (Glasgow City)
~830 kWh/kWp · +0% vs AB36