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Solar panel cost in Belfast (BT17)

See realistic solar installation costs, savings and payback for BT17 (Belfast) in under a minute using official UK data. Start with the calculator, then get a no-obligation quote from an MCS-certified installer. You can also ask the SolarByPostcode assistant to sanity-check your roof, bills and plans.

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
30.6 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£9,767
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£319
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£-1,789
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: The official cost per kW is lower above 4 kW, so a 5–6 kW system can pay back a little faster than a 3–4 kW system on otherwise identical assumptions.
  • 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

Panel costs: Uses March 2026 TIC mean installation costs: £1,827/kW up to 4 kW and £1,628/kW above 4 kW.

Other costs: Battery prices are modelled at £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 Ireland, the current unit rate is 0.00p/kWh with a 0.00p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 886 kWh/kW — 104 below the regional median (991).

Read the full story

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 886 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 0.0p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.

Unit rate
0.0p/kWh
Standing charge
0.0p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
886 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: £266, Upfront: £8,139, Break-even: 30.6 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1773 kWh 709 kWh 1064 kWh £0 £106 £106 £3,256 30.6 yrs £-1,128
3 kW 2659 kWh 1064 kWh 1596 kWh £0 £160 £160 £4,883 30.6 yrs £-1,692
4 kW 3546 kWh 1418 kWh 2127 kWh £0 £213 £213 £6,511 30.6 yrs £-2,256
5 kW 4432 kWh 1773 kWh 2659 kWh £0 £266 £266 £8,139 30.6 yrs £-2,820
6 kW 5319 kWh 2127 kWh 3191 kWh £0 £319 £319 £9,767 30.6 yrs £-3,384
7 kW 6205 kWh 2482 kWh 3723 kWh £0 £372 £372 £11,394 30.6 yrs £-3,948
8 kW 7092 kWh 2837 kWh 4255 kWh £0 £425 £425 £13,022 30.6 yrs £-4,512

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,628, battery £/kWh = 700.

3 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £177, Upfront: £10,239, Break-even: 57.8 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1773 kWh 1064 kWh 709 kWh £0 £71 £71 £5,356 75.5 yrs £-3,937
3 kW 2659 kWh 1596 kWh 1064 kWh £0 £106 £106 £6,983 65.6 yrs £-4,856
4 kW 3546 kWh 2127 kWh 1418 kWh £0 £142 £142 £8,611 60.7 yrs £-5,774
5 kW 4432 kWh 2659 kWh 1773 kWh £0 £177 £177 £10,239 57.8 yrs £-6,693
6 kW 5319 kWh 3191 kWh 2127 kWh £0 £213 £213 £11,867 55.8 yrs £-7,612
7 kW 6205 kWh 3723 kWh 2482 kWh £0 £248 £248 £13,494 54.4 yrs £-8,530
8 kW 7092 kWh 4255 kWh 2837 kWh £0 £284 £284 £15,122 53.3 yrs £-9,449

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,628, battery £/kWh = 700.

5 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £133, Upfront: £11,639, Break-even: 87.5 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1773 kWh 1241 kWh 532 kWh £0 £53 £53 £6,756 127.0 yrs £-5,692
3 kW 2659 kWh 1862 kWh 798 kWh £0 £80 £80 £8,383 105.1 yrs £-6,788
4 kW 3546 kWh 2482 kWh 1064 kWh £0 £106 £106 £10,011 94.1 yrs £-7,884
5 kW 4432 kWh 3103 kWh 1330 kWh £0 £133 £133 £11,639 87.5 yrs £-8,979
6 kW 5319 kWh 3723 kWh 1596 kWh £0 £160 £160 £13,267 83.1 yrs £-10,075
7 kW 6205 kWh 4344 kWh 1862 kWh £0 £186 £186 £14,894 80.0 yrs £-11,171
8 kW 7092 kWh 4964 kWh 2127 kWh £0 £213 £213 £16,522 77.7 yrs £-12,267

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,628, battery £/kWh = 700.

7.5 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £120, Upfront: £13,389, Break-even: 111.9 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1773 kWh 1294 kWh 479 kWh £0 £48 £48 £8,506 177.7 yrs £-7,548
3 kW 2659 kWh 1941 kWh 718 kWh £0 £72 £72 £10,133 141.1 yrs £-8,697
4 kW 3546 kWh 2588 kWh 957 kWh £0 £96 £96 £11,761 122.8 yrs £-9,846
5 kW 4432 kWh 3236 kWh 1197 kWh £0 £120 £120 £13,389 111.9 yrs £-10,995
6 kW 5319 kWh 3883 kWh 1436 kWh £0 £144 £144 £15,017 104.6 yrs £-12,144
7 kW 6205 kWh 4530 kWh 1675 kWh £0 £168 £168 £16,644 99.3 yrs £-13,294
8 kW 7092 kWh 5177 kWh 1915 kWh £0 £191 £191 £18,272 95.4 yrs £-14,443

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,628, battery £/kWh = 700.

10 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £111, Upfront: £15,139, Break-even: 136.6 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1773 kWh 1330 kWh 443 kWh £0 £44 £44 £10,256 231.4 yrs £-9,369
3 kW 2659 kWh 1995 kWh 665 kWh £0 £66 £66 £11,883 178.7 yrs £-10,554
4 kW 3546 kWh 2659 kWh 886 kWh £0 £89 £89 £13,511 152.4 yrs £-11,738
5 kW 4432 kWh 3324 kWh 1108 kWh £0 £111 £111 £15,139 136.6 yrs £-12,923
6 kW 5319 kWh 3989 kWh 1330 kWh £0 £133 £133 £16,767 126.1 yrs £-14,107
7 kW 6205 kWh 4654 kWh 1551 kWh £0 £155 £155 £18,394 118.6 yrs £-15,292
8 kW 7092 kWh 5319 kWh 1773 kWh £0 £177 £177 £20,022 112.9 yrs £-16,476

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,628, battery £/kWh = 700.

13.5 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £102, Upfront: £17,589, Break-even: 172.5 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1773 kWh 1365 kWh 408 kWh £0 £41 £41 £12,706 311.6 yrs £-11,890
3 kW 2659 kWh 2048 kWh 612 kWh £0 £61 £61 £14,333 234.3 yrs £-13,110
4 kW 3546 kWh 2730 kWh 816 kWh £0 £82 £82 £15,961 195.7 yrs £-14,330
5 kW 4432 kWh 3413 kWh 1019 kWh £0 £102 £102 £17,589 172.5 yrs £-15,550
6 kW 5319 kWh 4095 kWh 1223 kWh £0 £122 £122 £19,217 157.1 yrs £-16,770
7 kW 6205 kWh 4778 kWh 1427 kWh £0 £143 £143 £20,844 146.1 yrs £-17,990
8 kW 7092 kWh 5461 kWh 1631 kWh £0 £163 £163 £22,472 137.8 yrs £-19,210

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,628, 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.

Before you request quotes in Belfast

Use the numbers above to sanity-check installer quotes. The main things to compare are system size, battery assumptions, payback claims, MCS certification, DNO paperwork and export assumptions.

Compare solar quotes before you sign

Check what MCS certification means

Understand DNO, G98 and G99 export limits

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Want a quote sanity check for BT17?

Share the first part of your postcode and a few basics. We’ll help you check whether system size, battery, export and paperwork assumptions look sensible before you commit to installer conversations.

This is a practical sanity-check request, not an instant quote promise. The Blue Ape quote route above remains available if you already want installer introductions.

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Insights for BT17

Figures below are tailored to BT17 — click through for full league tables.

Aspect Penalty View ranking →
East −21.0% West −19.7%
Typical output loss versus a south-facing roof (lower is better)

Seasonal solar output in BT17

Monthly generation per kilowatt of solar panels

kWh 29 Jan 45 Feb 78 Mar 104 Apr 119 May 111 Jun 107 Jul 98 Aug 78 Sep 57 Oct 37 Nov 23 Dec
Best month Worst month Winter (Dec–Feb) Other months

Winter output: 43.9% of an average month (Dec–Feb)

Best / worst month: May / Dec

These figures show output per kilowatt (kW) of panels installed. In winter, a 1 kW system here produces about 32 kWh per month; the average month produces around 74 kWh. So a typical 4 kW home system would generate roughly 130 kWh in winter, or 295 kWh in an average month.

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
0.00p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
0.00p/day
Local Sunshine
886kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~886 kWh per year. A typical home uses ~2,700 kWh per year.
Typical System Size
6.0kW
For houses & bungalows in this area

Local Property Data

Property Types

No EPC data available for this outcode

Coverage

Belfast (73%)|Lisburn and Castlereagh (27%)

Areas Covered

Dunmurry, Twinbrook, Lagmore, Poleglass, Derryaghy, Lambeg, Drumbo, Collin Glen + 4 more

Data Sources & Assumptions

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

Electricity rates: Ofgem price cap,

Installation costs: DESNZ/MCS data, March 2026 (TIC)

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 Ireland

BT10 (Belfast)
≈2.4 km away
Local sunshine: ~884 kWh/kWp · -0% vs BT17
BT11 (Belfast)
≈2.9 km away
Local sunshine: ~884 kWh/kWp · -0% vs BT17
BT27 (Lisburn and Castlereagh)
≈4.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~894 kWh/kWp · +1% vs BT17
BT28 (Lisburn and Castlereagh)
≈4.9 km away
Local sunshine: ~895 kWh/kWp · +1% vs BT17
BT9 (Belfast)
≈5.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~893 kWh/kWp · +1% vs BT17
BT12 (Belfast)
≈6.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~893 kWh/kWp · +1% vs BT17

Similar sunshine across the UK

EH25 (Midlothian)
~886 kWh/kWp · -0% vs BT17
CA19 (Cumberland)
~887 kWh/kWp · +0% vs BT17
LL33 (Conwy)
~886 kWh/kWp · -0% vs BT17