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Big Roof Britain Solar Payback Index Standing Charge Drag

Solar Panels in BH2 (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole)

See if solar pays off for you in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole — 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
11.3 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£6,104
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£541
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£7,424
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 Southern, the current unit rate is 26.48p/kWh with a 44.62p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 1087 kWh/kW — 86 above the regional median (1001).

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 1087 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 26.5p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.

Unit rate
26.5p/kWh
Standing charge
44.6p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
1087 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: £902, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 11.3 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2174 kWh 870 kWh 1304 kWh £230 £130 £361 £4,069 11.3 yrs £3,146
3 kW 3261 kWh 1304 kWh 1957 kWh £345 £196 £541 £6,104 11.3 yrs £4,718
4 kW 4348 kWh 1739 kWh 2609 kWh £461 £261 £721 £8,138 11.3 yrs £6,291
5 kW 5435 kWh 2174 kWh 3261 kWh £576 £326 £902 £10,173 11.3 yrs £7,864
6 kW 6522 kWh 2609 kWh 3913 kWh £691 £391 £1,082 £12,207 11.3 yrs £9,437
7 kW 7609 kWh 3044 kWh 4566 kWh £806 £457 £1,263 £14,242 11.3 yrs £11,010
8 kW 8696 kWh 3479 kWh 5218 kWh £921 £522 £1,443 £16,276 11.3 yrs £12,582

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: £1,081, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 11.4 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2174 kWh 1304 kWh 870 kWh £345 £87 £432 £6,169 14.3 yrs £2,479
3 kW 3261 kWh 1957 kWh 1304 kWh £518 £130 £649 £8,204 12.6 yrs £4,768
4 kW 4348 kWh 2609 kWh 1739 kWh £691 £174 £865 £10,238 11.8 yrs £7,058
5 kW 5435 kWh 3261 kWh 2174 kWh £864 £217 £1,081 £12,273 11.4 yrs £9,347
6 kW 6522 kWh 3913 kWh 2609 kWh £1,036 £261 £1,297 £14,307 11.0 yrs £11,636
7 kW 7609 kWh 4566 kWh 3044 kWh £1,209 £304 £1,513 £16,342 10.8 yrs £13,926
8 kW 8696 kWh 5218 kWh 3479 kWh £1,382 £348 £1,730 £18,376 10.6 yrs £16,215

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: £1,171, Upfront: £13,673, Break-even: 11.7 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2174 kWh 1522 kWh 652 kWh £403 £65 £468 £7,569 16.2 yrs £1,795
3 kW 3261 kWh 2283 kWh 978 kWh £604 £98 £702 £9,604 13.7 yrs £4,443
4 kW 4348 kWh 3044 kWh 1304 kWh £806 £130 £936 £11,638 12.4 yrs £7,091
5 kW 5435 kWh 3805 kWh 1631 kWh £1,007 £163 £1,171 £13,673 11.7 yrs £9,738
6 kW 6522 kWh 4566 kWh 1957 kWh £1,209 £196 £1,405 £15,707 11.2 yrs £12,386
7 kW 7609 kWh 5327 kWh 2283 kWh £1,410 £228 £1,639 £17,742 10.8 yrs £15,034
8 kW 8696 kWh 6088 kWh 2609 kWh £1,612 £261 £1,873 £19,776 10.6 yrs £17,681

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: £1,197, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 12.9 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2174 kWh 1587 kWh 587 kWh £420 £59 £479 £9,319 19.5 yrs £260
3 kW 3261 kWh 2381 kWh 881 kWh £630 £88 £718 £11,354 15.8 yrs £3,015
4 kW 4348 kWh 3174 kWh 1174 kWh £841 £117 £958 £13,388 14.0 yrs £5,771
5 kW 5435 kWh 3968 kWh 1468 kWh £1,051 £147 £1,197 £15,423 12.9 yrs £8,526
6 kW 6522 kWh 4761 kWh 1761 kWh £1,261 £176 £1,437 £17,457 12.1 yrs £11,281
7 kW 7609 kWh 5555 kWh 2055 kWh £1,471 £205 £1,676 £19,492 11.6 yrs £14,036
8 kW 8696 kWh 6348 kWh 2348 kWh £1,681 £235 £1,916 £21,526 11.2 yrs £16,791

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: £1,215, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 14.1 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2174 kWh 1631 kWh 544 kWh £432 £54 £486 £11,069 22.8 yrs £-1,346
3 kW 3261 kWh 2446 kWh 815 kWh £648 £82 £729 £13,104 18.0 yrs £1,480
4 kW 4348 kWh 3261 kWh 1087 kWh £864 £109 £972 £15,138 15.6 yrs £4,307
5 kW 5435 kWh 4076 kWh 1359 kWh £1,079 £136 £1,215 £17,173 14.1 yrs £7,134
6 kW 6522 kWh 4892 kWh 1631 kWh £1,295 £163 £1,458 £19,207 13.2 yrs £9,961
7 kW 7609 kWh 5707 kWh 1902 kWh £1,511 £190 £1,701 £21,242 12.5 yrs £12,788
8 kW 8696 kWh 6522 kWh 2174 kWh £1,727 £217 £1,945 £23,276 12.0 yrs £15,615

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: £1,233, Upfront: £19,623, 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 2174 kWh 1674 kWh 500 kWh £443 £50 £493 £13,519 27.4 yrs £-3,653
3 kW 3261 kWh 2511 kWh 750 kWh £665 £75 £740 £15,554 21.0 yrs £-755
4 kW 4348 kWh 3348 kWh 1000 kWh £887 £100 £987 £17,588 17.8 yrs £2,144
5 kW 5435 kWh 4185 kWh 1250 kWh £1,108 £125 £1,233 £19,623 15.9 yrs £5,042
6 kW 6522 kWh 5022 kWh 1500 kWh £1,330 £150 £1,480 £21,657 14.6 yrs £7,941
7 kW 7609 kWh 5859 kWh 1750 kWh £1,552 £175 £1,727 £23,692 13.7 yrs £10,839
8 kW 8696 kWh 6696 kWh 2000 kWh £1,773 £200 £1,973 £25,726 13.0 yrs £13,738

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 BH2

Figures below are tailored to BH2 — click through for full league tables.

Solar Payback Index Rank #109 of 2997
9.8 years (UK avg 11.3 years)
~£1,243 /yr • £12,207 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #27 of 2997
13.1% (UK avg 21.7%) drag on savings
£163 fixed • ~£1,243 /yr value

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
26.48p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
44.62p/day
Local Sunshine
1087kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~1087 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: 6% • Flats: 91% • Bungalows: 1% Based on 5,141 properties

Coverage

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (100%)

Areas Covered

Bournemouth Central, Westbourne & West Cliff, East Cliff & Springbourne, Talbot & Branksome Woods

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 Southern

BH4 (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole)
≈1.4 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,075 kWh/kWp · -1% vs BH2
BH1 (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole)
≈1.5 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,087 kWh/kWp · +0% vs BH2
BH3 (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole)
≈1.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,087 kWh/kWp · +0% vs BH2
BH8 (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole)
≈2.5 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,092 kWh/kWp · +0% vs BH2
BH13 (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole)
≈2.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,075 kWh/kWp · -1% vs BH2
BH9 (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole)
≈3.2 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,087 kWh/kWp · +0% vs BH2

Similar sunshine across the UK

PL4 (Plymouth)
~1,087 kWh/kWp · +0% vs BH2
CT2 (Canterbury)
~1,087 kWh/kWp · +0% vs BH2
PL1 (Plymouth)
~1,087 kWh/kWp · +0% vs BH2