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Solar Panels in B3 (Birmingham)

See if solar pays off for you in Birmingham — 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
13.4 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£6,104
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£456
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£5,300
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 Midlands, the current unit rate is 25.64p/kWh with a 53.00p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 935 kWh/kW — 7 below the regional median (942).

Read the full story

A typical roof here lands around 3.0 kW, with most eligible homes comfortably fitting within 3–6 kW. Each kilowatt of panels produces roughly 935 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 25.6p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.

Unit rate
25.6p/kWh
Standing charge
53.0p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
935 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: £760, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 13.4 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1871 kWh 748 kWh 1122 kWh £192 £112 £304 £4,069 13.4 yrs £2,013
3 kW 2806 kWh 1122 kWh 1684 kWh £288 £168 £456 £6,104 13.4 yrs £3,019
4 kW 3741 kWh 1497 kWh 2245 kWh £384 £224 £608 £8,138 13.4 yrs £4,026
5 kW 4677 kWh 1871 kWh 2806 kWh £480 £281 £760 £10,173 13.4 yrs £5,032
6 kW 5612 kWh 2245 kWh 3367 kWh £576 £337 £912 £12,207 13.4 yrs £6,039
7 kW 6547 kWh 2619 kWh 3928 kWh £671 £393 £1,064 £14,242 13.4 yrs £7,045
8 kW 7483 kWh 2993 kWh 4490 kWh £767 £449 £1,216 £16,276 13.4 yrs £8,052

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: £907, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 13.5 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1871 kWh 1122 kWh 748 kWh £288 £75 £363 £6,169 17.0 yrs £1,083
3 kW 2806 kWh 1684 kWh 1122 kWh £432 £112 £544 £8,204 15.1 yrs £2,675
4 kW 3741 kWh 2245 kWh 1497 kWh £576 £150 £725 £10,238 14.1 yrs £4,266
5 kW 4677 kWh 2806 kWh 1871 kWh £719 £187 £907 £12,273 13.5 yrs £5,858
6 kW 5612 kWh 3367 kWh 2245 kWh £863 £224 £1,088 £14,307 13.2 yrs £7,450
7 kW 6547 kWh 3928 kWh 2619 kWh £1,007 £262 £1,269 £16,342 12.9 yrs £9,041
8 kW 7483 kWh 4490 kWh 2993 kWh £1,151 £299 £1,450 £18,376 12.7 yrs £10,633

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: £980, Upfront: £13,673, 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 1871 kWh 1309 kWh 561 kWh £336 £56 £392 £7,569 19.3 yrs £268
3 kW 2806 kWh 1964 kWh 842 kWh £504 £84 £588 £9,604 16.3 yrs £2,153
4 kW 3741 kWh 2619 kWh 1122 kWh £671 £112 £784 £11,638 14.8 yrs £4,037
5 kW 4677 kWh 3274 kWh 1403 kWh £839 £140 £980 £13,673 14.0 yrs £5,921
6 kW 5612 kWh 3928 kWh 1684 kWh £1,007 £168 £1,176 £15,707 13.4 yrs £7,805
7 kW 6547 kWh 4583 kWh 1964 kWh £1,175 £196 £1,372 £17,742 12.9 yrs £9,689
8 kW 7483 kWh 5238 kWh 2245 kWh £1,343 £224 £1,567 £19,776 12.6 yrs £11,574

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: £1,002, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 15.4 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1871 kWh 1366 kWh 505 kWh £350 £51 £401 £9,319 23.3 yrs £-1,306
3 kW 2806 kWh 2048 kWh 758 kWh £525 £76 £601 £11,354 18.9 yrs £666
4 kW 3741 kWh 2731 kWh 1010 kWh £700 £101 £801 £13,388 16.7 yrs £2,638
5 kW 4677 kWh 3414 kWh 1263 kWh £875 £126 £1,002 £15,423 15.4 yrs £4,610
6 kW 5612 kWh 4097 kWh 1515 kWh £1,050 £152 £1,202 £17,457 14.5 yrs £6,582
7 kW 6547 kWh 4780 kWh 1768 kWh £1,225 £177 £1,402 £19,492 13.9 yrs £8,554
8 kW 7483 kWh 5462 kWh 2020 kWh £1,401 £202 £1,603 £21,526 13.4 yrs £10,526

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: £1,016, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 16.9 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1871 kWh 1403 kWh 468 kWh £360 £47 £406 £11,069 27.2 yrs £-2,939
3 kW 2806 kWh 2105 kWh 702 kWh £540 £70 £610 £13,104 21.5 yrs £-909
4 kW 3741 kWh 2806 kWh 935 kWh £719 £94 £813 £15,138 18.6 yrs £1,122
5 kW 4677 kWh 3508 kWh 1169 kWh £899 £117 £1,016 £17,173 16.9 yrs £3,152
6 kW 5612 kWh 4209 kWh 1403 kWh £1,079 £140 £1,219 £19,207 15.7 yrs £5,183
7 kW 6547 kWh 4911 kWh 1637 kWh £1,259 £164 £1,423 £21,242 14.9 yrs £7,213
8 kW 7483 kWh 5612 kWh 1871 kWh £1,439 £187 £1,626 £23,276 14.3 yrs £9,244

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: £1,031, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 19.0 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1871 kWh 1440 kWh 430 kWh £369 £43 £412 £13,519 32.8 yrs £-5,272
3 kW 2806 kWh 2161 kWh 645 kWh £554 £65 £619 £15,554 25.1 yrs £-3,183
4 kW 3741 kWh 2881 kWh 861 kWh £739 £86 £825 £17,588 21.3 yrs £-1,094
5 kW 4677 kWh 3601 kWh 1076 kWh £923 £108 £1,031 £19,623 19.0 yrs £995
6 kW 5612 kWh 4321 kWh 1291 kWh £1,108 £129 £1,237 £21,657 17.5 yrs £3,084
7 kW 6547 kWh 5041 kWh 1506 kWh £1,293 £151 £1,443 £23,692 16.4 yrs £5,173
8 kW 7483 kWh 5762 kWh 1721 kWh £1,477 £172 £1,649 £25,726 15.6 yrs £7,262

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 B3

Figures below are tailored to B3 — click through for full league tables.

Solar Payback Index Rank #1945 of 2997
11.7 years (UK avg 11.3 years)
~£1,044 /yr • £12,207 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #1146 of 2997
18.5% (UK avg 21.7%) drag on savings
£193 fixed • ~£1,044 /yr value

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
25.64p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
53.00p/day
Local Sunshine
935kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~935 kWh per year. A typical home uses ~2,700 kWh per year.
Typical System Size
3.0kW
For eligible homes in this area

⚠️ This area is predominantly flats. Many residents require freeholder approval for solar installations. System size shown reflects houses and bungalows only.

Local Property Data

Property Types

Houses: 1% • Flats: 98% • Bungalows: 0% Based on 3,436 properties

Coverage

Birmingham (100%)

Areas Covered

Ladywood, Soho & Jewellery Quarter, Newtown, Bordesley & Highgate, Brandwood & King's Heath

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 Midlands

B2 (Birmingham)
≈0.5 km away
Local sunshine: ~940 kWh/kWp · +0% vs B3
B1 (Birmingham)
≈0.5 km away
Local sunshine: ~935 kWh/kWp · +0% vs B3
B4 (Birmingham)
≈0.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~940 kWh/kWp · +0% vs B3
B5 (Birmingham)
≈0.9 km away
Local sunshine: ~936 kWh/kWp · +0% vs B3
B18 (Birmingham)
≈1.5 km away
Local sunshine: ~938 kWh/kWp · +0% vs B3
B19 (Birmingham)
≈1.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~938 kWh/kWp · +0% vs B3

Similar sunshine across the UK

S43 (Chesterfield)
~935 kWh/kWp · +0% vs B3
SA41 (Pembrokeshire)
~935 kWh/kWp · -0% vs B3
CF81 (Caerphilly)
~935 kWh/kWp · -0% vs B3