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Big Roof Britain Solar Payback Index Standing Charge Drag

Solar Panels in BT39 (Antrim and Newtownabbey)

See if solar pays off for you in Antrim and Newtownabbey — 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
38.5 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£12,207
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£317
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£-4,275
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 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 881 kWh/kW — 109 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 881 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)
881 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: £264, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 38.5 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1763 kWh 705 kWh 1058 kWh £0 £106 £106 £4,069 38.5 yrs £-1,954
3 kW 2644 kWh 1058 kWh 1586 kWh £0 £159 £159 £6,104 38.5 yrs £-2,931
4 kW 3525 kWh 1410 kWh 2115 kWh £0 £212 £212 £8,138 38.5 yrs £-3,908
5 kW 4407 kWh 1763 kWh 2644 kWh £0 £264 £264 £10,173 38.5 yrs £-4,884
6 kW 5288 kWh 2115 kWh 3173 kWh £0 £317 £317 £12,207 38.5 yrs £-5,861
7 kW 6169 kWh 2468 kWh 3702 kWh £0 £370 £370 £14,242 38.5 yrs £-6,838
8 kW 7051 kWh 2820 kWh 4230 kWh £0 £423 £423 £16,276 38.5 yrs £-7,815

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: £176, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 69.6 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1763 kWh 1058 kWh 705 kWh £0 £71 £71 £6,169 87.5 yrs £-4,759
3 kW 2644 kWh 1586 kWh 1058 kWh £0 £106 £106 £8,204 77.6 yrs £-6,088
4 kW 3525 kWh 2115 kWh 1410 kWh £0 £141 £141 £10,238 72.6 yrs £-7,418
5 kW 4407 kWh 2644 kWh 1763 kWh £0 £176 £176 £12,273 69.6 yrs £-8,747
6 kW 5288 kWh 3173 kWh 2115 kWh £0 £212 £212 £14,307 67.6 yrs £-10,077
7 kW 6169 kWh 3702 kWh 2468 kWh £0 £247 £247 £16,342 66.2 yrs £-11,406
8 kW 7051 kWh 4230 kWh 2820 kWh £0 £282 £282 £18,376 65.2 yrs £-12,735

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: £132, Upfront: £13,673, Break-even: 103.4 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1763 kWh 1234 kWh 529 kWh £0 £53 £53 £7,569 143.1 yrs £-6,511
3 kW 2644 kWh 1851 kWh 793 kWh £0 £79 £79 £9,604 121.1 yrs £-8,017
4 kW 3525 kWh 2468 kWh 1058 kWh £0 £106 £106 £11,638 110.0 yrs £-9,523
5 kW 4407 kWh 3085 kWh 1322 kWh £0 £132 £132 £13,673 103.4 yrs £-11,028
6 kW 5288 kWh 3702 kWh 1586 kWh £0 £159 £159 £15,707 99.0 yrs £-12,534
7 kW 6169 kWh 4319 kWh 1851 kWh £0 £185 £185 £17,742 95.9 yrs £-14,040
8 kW 7051 kWh 4936 kWh 2115 kWh £0 £212 £212 £19,776 93.5 yrs £-15,546

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: £119, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 129.6 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1763 kWh 1287 kWh 476 kWh £0 £48 £48 £9,319 195.8 yrs £-8,367
3 kW 2644 kWh 1930 kWh 714 kWh £0 £71 £71 £11,354 159.0 yrs £-9,926
4 kW 3525 kWh 2574 kWh 952 kWh £0 £95 £95 £13,388 140.7 yrs £-11,484
5 kW 4407 kWh 3217 kWh 1190 kWh £0 £119 £119 £15,423 129.6 yrs £-13,043
6 kW 5288 kWh 3860 kWh 1428 kWh £0 £143 £143 £17,457 122.3 yrs £-14,601
7 kW 6169 kWh 4504 kWh 1666 kWh £0 £167 £167 £19,492 117.0 yrs £-16,160
8 kW 7051 kWh 5147 kWh 1904 kWh £0 £190 £190 £21,526 113.1 yrs £-17,719

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: £110, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 155.9 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1763 kWh 1322 kWh 441 kWh £0 £44 £44 £11,069 251.2 yrs £-10,188
3 kW 2644 kWh 1983 kWh 661 kWh £0 £66 £66 £13,104 198.2 yrs £-11,782
4 kW 3525 kWh 2644 kWh 881 kWh £0 £88 £88 £15,138 171.8 yrs £-13,375
5 kW 4407 kWh 3305 kWh 1102 kWh £0 £110 £110 £17,173 155.9 yrs £-14,969
6 kW 5288 kWh 3966 kWh 1322 kWh £0 £132 £132 £19,207 145.3 yrs £-16,563
7 kW 6169 kWh 4627 kWh 1542 kWh £0 £154 £154 £21,242 137.7 yrs £-18,157
8 kW 7051 kWh 5288 kWh 1763 kWh £0 £176 £176 £23,276 132.0 yrs £-19,751

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: £101, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 193.6 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1763 kWh 1357 kWh 405 kWh £0 £41 £41 £13,519 333.5 yrs £-12,708
3 kW 2644 kWh 2036 kWh 608 kWh £0 £61 £61 £15,554 255.8 yrs £-14,337
4 kW 3525 kWh 2715 kWh 811 kWh £0 £81 £81 £17,588 216.9 yrs £-15,966
5 kW 4407 kWh 3393 kWh 1014 kWh £0 £101 £101 £19,623 193.6 yrs £-17,595
6 kW 5288 kWh 4072 kWh 1216 kWh £0 £122 £122 £21,657 178.1 yrs £-19,225
7 kW 6169 kWh 4750 kWh 1419 kWh £0 £142 £142 £23,692 167.0 yrs £-20,854
8 kW 7051 kWh 5429 kWh 1622 kWh £0 £162 £162 £25,726 158.6 yrs £-22,483

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.

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
0.00p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
0.00p/day
Local Sunshine
881kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~881 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

Antrim and Newtownabbey (94%)|Mid and East Antrim (6%)

Areas Covered

Ballynure, Doagh, Ballyrobert, Templepatrick, Ballyclare East, Ballyclare West, Parkgate, Kilwaughter + 4 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 Northern Ireland

BT36 (Antrim and Newtownabbey)
≈8.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~879 kWh/kWp · -0% vs BT39
BT37 (Antrim and Newtownabbey)
≈10.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~871 kWh/kWp · -1% vs BT39
BT41 (Antrim and Newtownabbey)
≈13.3 km away
Local sunshine: ~866 kWh/kWp · -2% vs BT39
BT38 (Mid and East Antrim)
≈13.4 km away
Local sunshine: ~896 kWh/kWp · +2% vs BT39
BT14 (Belfast)
≈15.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~886 kWh/kWp · +1% vs BT39
BT15 (Belfast)
≈15.2 km away
Local sunshine: ~886 kWh/kWp · +1% vs BT39

Similar sunshine across the UK

DG2 (Dumfries and Galloway)
~881 kWh/kWp · +0% vs BT39
DG1 (Dumfries and Galloway)
~881 kWh/kWp · +0% vs BT39
M22 (Manchester)
~881 kWh/kWp · -0% vs BT39