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Big Roof Britain Solar Payback Index Standing Charge Drag

Solar Panels in BB8 (Pendle)

See if solar pays off for you in Pendle — 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
14.3 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£10,173
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£712
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£7,631
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 North West, the current unit rate is 27.11p/kWh with a 51.16p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 846 kWh/kW — 25 below the regional median (870).

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 846 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
51.2p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
846 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: £712, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 14.3 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1691 kWh 676 kWh 1015 kWh £183 £101 £285 £4,069 14.3 yrs £1,628
3 kW 2537 kWh 1015 kWh 1522 kWh £275 £152 £427 £6,104 14.3 yrs £2,442
4 kW 3382 kWh 1353 kWh 2029 kWh £367 £203 £570 £8,138 14.3 yrs £3,256
5 kW 4228 kWh 1691 kWh 2537 kWh £458 £254 £712 £10,173 14.3 yrs £4,070
6 kW 5073 kWh 2029 kWh 3044 kWh £550 £304 £855 £12,207 14.3 yrs £4,884
7 kW 5919 kWh 2368 kWh 3551 kWh £642 £355 £997 £14,242 14.3 yrs £5,699
8 kW 6765 kWh 2706 kWh 4059 kWh £734 £406 £1,139 £16,276 14.3 yrs £6,513

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: £857, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 14.3 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1691 kWh 1015 kWh 676 kWh £275 £68 £343 £6,169 18.0 yrs £686
3 kW 2537 kWh 1522 kWh 1015 kWh £413 £101 £514 £8,204 16.0 yrs £2,078
4 kW 3382 kWh 2029 kWh 1353 kWh £550 £135 £685 £10,238 14.9 yrs £3,471
5 kW 4228 kWh 2537 kWh 1691 kWh £688 £169 £857 £12,273 14.3 yrs £4,864
6 kW 5073 kWh 3044 kWh 2029 kWh £825 £203 £1,028 £14,307 13.9 yrs £6,257
7 kW 5919 kWh 3551 kWh 2368 kWh £963 £237 £1,200 £16,342 13.6 yrs £7,650
8 kW 6765 kWh 4059 kWh 2706 kWh £1,100 £271 £1,371 £18,376 13.4 yrs £9,042

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: £929, Upfront: £13,673, Break-even: 14.7 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1691 kWh 1184 kWh 507 kWh £321 £51 £372 £7,569 20.4 yrs £-136
3 kW 2537 kWh 1776 kWh 761 kWh £481 £76 £557 £9,604 17.2 yrs £1,546
4 kW 3382 kWh 2368 kWh 1015 kWh £642 £101 £743 £11,638 15.7 yrs £3,229
5 kW 4228 kWh 2960 kWh 1268 kWh £802 £127 £929 £13,673 14.7 yrs £4,911
6 kW 5073 kWh 3551 kWh 1522 kWh £963 £152 £1,115 £15,707 14.1 yrs £6,593
7 kW 5919 kWh 4143 kWh 1776 kWh £1,123 £178 £1,301 £17,742 13.6 yrs £8,275
8 kW 6765 kWh 4735 kWh 2029 kWh £1,284 £203 £1,487 £19,776 13.3 yrs £9,957

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: £951, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 16.2 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1691 kWh 1235 kWh 457 kWh £335 £46 £380 £9,319 24.5 yrs £-1,712
3 kW 2537 kWh 1852 kWh 685 kWh £502 £68 £571 £11,354 19.9 yrs £57
4 kW 3382 kWh 2469 kWh 913 kWh £669 £91 £761 £13,388 17.6 yrs £1,826
5 kW 4228 kWh 3086 kWh 1142 kWh £837 £114 £951 £15,423 16.2 yrs £3,595
6 kW 5073 kWh 3704 kWh 1370 kWh £1,004 £137 £1,141 £17,457 15.3 yrs £5,364
7 kW 5919 kWh 4321 kWh 1598 kWh £1,171 £160 £1,331 £19,492 14.6 yrs £7,133
8 kW 6765 kWh 4938 kWh 1826 kWh £1,339 £183 £1,521 £21,526 14.1 yrs £8,902

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: £965, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 17.8 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1691 kWh 1268 kWh 423 kWh £344 £42 £386 £11,069 28.7 yrs £-3,346
3 kW 2537 kWh 1903 kWh 634 kWh £516 £63 £579 £13,104 22.6 yrs £-1,520
4 kW 3382 kWh 2537 kWh 846 kWh £688 £85 £772 £15,138 19.6 yrs £307
5 kW 4228 kWh 3171 kWh 1057 kWh £860 £106 £965 £17,173 17.8 yrs £2,134
6 kW 5073 kWh 3805 kWh 1268 kWh £1,032 £127 £1,158 £19,207 16.6 yrs £3,961
7 kW 5919 kWh 4439 kWh 1480 kWh £1,203 £148 £1,351 £21,242 15.7 yrs £5,788
8 kW 6765 kWh 5073 kWh 1691 kWh £1,375 £169 £1,545 £23,276 15.1 yrs £7,615

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: £980, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 20.0 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1691 kWh 1302 kWh 389 kWh £353 £39 £392 £13,519 34.5 yrs £-5,681
3 kW 2537 kWh 1953 kWh 583 kWh £530 £58 £588 £15,554 26.5 yrs £-3,796
4 kW 3382 kWh 2604 kWh 778 kWh £706 £78 £784 £17,588 22.4 yrs £-1,911
5 kW 4228 kWh 3255 kWh 972 kWh £883 £97 £980 £19,623 20.0 yrs £-26
6 kW 5073 kWh 3907 kWh 1167 kWh £1,059 £117 £1,176 £21,657 18.4 yrs £1,858
7 kW 5919 kWh 4558 kWh 1361 kWh £1,236 £136 £1,372 £23,692 17.3 yrs £3,743
8 kW 6765 kWh 5209 kWh 1556 kWh £1,412 £156 £1,568 £25,726 16.4 yrs £5,628

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 BB8

Figures below are tailored to BB8 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #1425 of 2182
4.7 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~10 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #2590 of 2997
12.4 years (UK avg 11.3 years)
~£821 /yr • £10,173 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #2037 of 2997
22.7% (UK avg 21.7%) drag on savings
£187 fixed • ~£821 /yr value

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
27.11p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
51.16p/day
Local Sunshine
846kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~846 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

Houses: 77% • Flats: 14% • Bungalows: 7% Based on 6,933 properties

Coverage

Pendle (100%)

Areas Covered

Waterside & Horsfield, Boulsworth & Foulridge, Earby & Coates, Barnoldswick, Vivary Bridge, Whitefield & Walverden, Bradley, Skipton West & West Craven + 1 more

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 North West

BB9 (Pendle)
≈4.2 km away
Local sunshine: ~845 kWh/kWp · -0% vs BB8
BB10 (Burnley)
≈7.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~848 kWh/kWp · +0% vs BB8
BB11 (Burnley)
≈9.8 km away
Local sunshine: ~848 kWh/kWp · +0% vs BB8
BB12 (Burnley)
≈10.4 km away
Local sunshine: ~848 kWh/kWp · +0% vs BB8
BB7 (Ribble Valley)
≈14.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~854 kWh/kWp · +1% vs BB8
BB6 (Ribble Valley)
≈17.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~860 kWh/kWp · +2% vs BB8

Similar sunshine across the UK

LL38 (Gwynedd)
~846 kWh/kWp · +0% vs BB8
PA8 (Renfrewshire)
~846 kWh/kWp · -0% vs BB8
FK12 (Clackmannanshire)
~845 kWh/kWp · -0% vs BB8