A typical roof here lands around 6.0 kW, with most eligible homes comfortably fitting within 3–6 kW. Each kilowatt of panels produces roughly 1123 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 26.9p 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: £942, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 10.8 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 2247 kWh | 899 kWh | 1348 kWh | £242 | £135 | £377 | £4,069 | 10.8 yrs | £3,465 |
| 3 kW | 3370 kWh | 1348 kWh | 2022 kWh | £363 | £202 | £565 | £6,104 | 10.8 yrs | £5,197 |
| 4 kW | 4493 kWh | 1797 kWh | 2696 kWh | £484 | £270 | £753 | £8,138 | 10.8 yrs | £6,930 |
| 5 kW | 5616 kWh | 2247 kWh | 3370 kWh | £605 | £337 | £942 | £10,173 | 10.8 yrs | £8,662 |
| 6 kW | 6740 kWh | 2696 kWh | 4044 kWh | £726 | £404 | £1,130 | £12,207 | 10.8 yrs | £10,395 |
| 7 kW | 7863 kWh | 3145 kWh | 4718 kWh | £847 | £472 | £1,318 | £14,242 | 10.8 yrs | £12,127 |
| 8 kW | 8986 kWh | 3594 kWh | 5392 kWh | £968 | £539 | £1,507 | £16,276 | 10.8 yrs | £13,860 |
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: £1,132, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 10.8 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 2247 kWh | 1348 kWh | 899 kWh | £363 | £90 | £453 | £6,169 | 13.6 yrs | £2,885 |
| 3 kW | 3370 kWh | 2022 kWh | 1348 kWh | £544 | £135 | £679 | £8,204 | 12.1 yrs | £5,378 |
| 4 kW | 4493 kWh | 2696 kWh | 1797 kWh | £726 | £180 | £905 | £10,238 | 11.3 yrs | £7,871 |
| 5 kW | 5616 kWh | 3370 kWh | 2247 kWh | £907 | £225 | £1,132 | £12,273 | 10.8 yrs | £10,364 |
| 6 kW | 6740 kWh | 4044 kWh | 2696 kWh | £1,089 | £270 | £1,358 | £14,307 | 10.5 yrs | £12,856 |
| 7 kW | 7863 kWh | 4718 kWh | 3145 kWh | £1,270 | £315 | £1,585 | £16,342 | 10.3 yrs | £15,349 |
| 8 kW | 8986 kWh | 5392 kWh | 3594 kWh | £1,451 | £359 | £1,811 | £18,376 | 10.1 yrs | £17,842 |
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: £1,227, Upfront: £13,673, Break-even: 11.1 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 2247 kWh | 1573 kWh | 674 kWh | £423 | £67 | £491 | £7,569 | 15.4 yrs | £2,246 |
| 3 kW | 3370 kWh | 2359 kWh | 1011 kWh | £635 | £101 | £736 | £9,604 | 13.0 yrs | £5,118 |
| 4 kW | 4493 kWh | 3145 kWh | 1348 kWh | £847 | £135 | £981 | £11,638 | 11.9 yrs | £7,991 |
| 5 kW | 5616 kWh | 3931 kWh | 1685 kWh | £1,058 | £168 | £1,227 | £13,673 | 11.1 yrs | £10,864 |
| 6 kW | 6740 kWh | 4718 kWh | 2022 kWh | £1,270 | £202 | £1,472 | £15,707 | 10.7 yrs | £13,737 |
| 7 kW | 7863 kWh | 5504 kWh | 2359 kWh | £1,482 | £236 | £1,718 | £17,742 | 10.3 yrs | £16,610 |
| 8 kW | 8986 kWh | 6290 kWh | 2696 kWh | £1,693 | £270 | £1,963 | £19,776 | 10.1 yrs | £19,483 |
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: £1,255, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 12.3 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 2247 kWh | 1640 kWh | 607 kWh | £441 | £61 | £502 | £9,319 | 18.6 yrs | £724 |
| 3 kW | 3370 kWh | 2460 kWh | 910 kWh | £662 | £91 | £753 | £11,354 | 15.1 yrs | £3,711 |
| 4 kW | 4493 kWh | 3280 kWh | 1213 kWh | £883 | £121 | £1,004 | £13,388 | 13.3 yrs | £6,697 |
| 5 kW | 5616 kWh | 4100 kWh | 1516 kWh | £1,104 | £152 | £1,255 | £15,423 | 12.3 yrs | £9,684 |
| 6 kW | 6740 kWh | 4920 kWh | 1820 kWh | £1,324 | £182 | £1,506 | £17,457 | 11.6 yrs | £12,671 |
| 7 kW | 7863 kWh | 5740 kWh | 2123 kWh | £1,545 | £212 | £1,757 | £19,492 | 11.1 yrs | £15,658 |
| 8 kW | 8986 kWh | 6560 kWh | 2426 kWh | £1,766 | £243 | £2,009 | £21,526 | 10.7 yrs | £18,645 |
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: £1,274, Upfront: £17,173, 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 | 2247 kWh | 1685 kWh | 562 kWh | £454 | £56 | £510 | £11,069 | 21.7 yrs | £-874 |
| 3 kW | 3370 kWh | 2527 kWh | 842 kWh | £680 | £84 | £765 | £13,104 | 17.1 yrs | £2,189 |
| 4 kW | 4493 kWh | 3370 kWh | 1123 kWh | £907 | £112 | £1,019 | £15,138 | 14.8 yrs | £5,252 |
| 5 kW | 5616 kWh | 4212 kWh | 1404 kWh | £1,134 | £140 | £1,274 | £17,173 | 13.5 yrs | £8,314 |
| 6 kW | 6740 kWh | 5055 kWh | 1685 kWh | £1,361 | £168 | £1,529 | £19,207 | 12.6 yrs | £11,377 |
| 7 kW | 7863 kWh | 5897 kWh | 1966 kWh | £1,588 | £197 | £1,784 | £21,242 | 11.9 yrs | £14,440 |
| 8 kW | 8986 kWh | 6740 kWh | 2247 kWh | £1,814 | £225 | £2,039 | £23,276 | 11.4 yrs | £17,503 |
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: £1,293, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 15.2 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 2247 kWh | 1730 kWh | 517 kWh | £466 | £52 | £517 | £13,519 | 26.1 yrs | £-3,172 |
| 3 kW | 3370 kWh | 2595 kWh | 775 kWh | £699 | £78 | £776 | £15,554 | 20.0 yrs | £-33 |
| 4 kW | 4493 kWh | 3460 kWh | 1033 kWh | £931 | £103 | £1,035 | £17,588 | 17.0 yrs | £3,106 |
| 5 kW | 5616 kWh | 4325 kWh | 1292 kWh | £1,164 | £129 | £1,293 | £19,623 | 15.2 yrs | £6,245 |
| 6 kW | 6740 kWh | 5190 kWh | 1550 kWh | £1,397 | £155 | £1,552 | £21,657 | 14.0 yrs | £9,383 |
| 7 kW | 7863 kWh | 6054 kWh | 1808 kWh | £1,630 | £181 | £1,811 | £23,692 | 13.1 yrs | £12,522 |
| 8 kW | 8986 kWh | 6919 kWh | 2067 kWh | £1,863 | £207 | £2,069 | £25,726 | 12.4 yrs | £15,661 |
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.