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Big Roof Britain Solar Payback Index Standing Charge Drag

Solar Panels in BT48 (Derry City and Strabane)

See if solar pays off for you in Derry City and Strabane — 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
41.0 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£12,207
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£298
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£-4,766
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 827 kWh/kW — 164 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 827 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)
827 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: £248, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 41.0 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1654 kWh 661 kWh 992 kWh £0 £99 £99 £4,069 41.0 yrs £-2,085
3 kW 2480 kWh 992 kWh 1488 kWh £0 £149 £149 £6,104 41.0 yrs £-3,127
4 kW 3307 kWh 1323 kWh 1984 kWh £0 £198 £198 £8,138 41.0 yrs £-4,169
5 kW 4134 kWh 1654 kWh 2480 kWh £0 £248 £248 £10,173 41.0 yrs £-5,212
6 kW 4961 kWh 1984 kWh 2976 kWh £0 £298 £298 £12,207 41.0 yrs £-6,254
7 kW 5787 kWh 2315 kWh 3472 kWh £0 £347 £347 £14,242 41.0 yrs £-7,297
8 kW 6614 kWh 2646 kWh 3969 kWh £0 £397 £397 £16,276 41.0 yrs £-8,339

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: £165, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 74.2 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1654 kWh 992 kWh 661 kWh £0 £66 £66 £6,169 93.3 yrs £-4,846
3 kW 2480 kWh 1488 kWh 992 kWh £0 £99 £99 £8,204 82.7 yrs £-6,219
4 kW 3307 kWh 1984 kWh 1323 kWh £0 £132 £132 £10,238 77.4 yrs £-7,592
5 kW 4134 kWh 2480 kWh 1654 kWh £0 £165 £165 £12,273 74.2 yrs £-8,965
6 kW 4961 kWh 2976 kWh 1984 kWh £0 £198 £198 £14,307 72.1 yrs £-10,339
7 kW 5787 kWh 3472 kWh 2315 kWh £0 £231 £231 £16,342 70.6 yrs £-11,712
8 kW 6614 kWh 3969 kWh 2646 kWh £0 £265 £265 £18,376 69.5 yrs £-13,085

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: £124, Upfront: £13,673, Break-even: 110.2 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1654 kWh 1157 kWh 496 kWh £0 £50 £50 £7,569 152.6 yrs £-6,577
3 kW 2480 kWh 1736 kWh 744 kWh £0 £74 £74 £9,604 129.1 yrs £-8,115
4 kW 3307 kWh 2315 kWh 992 kWh £0 £99 £99 £11,638 117.3 yrs £-9,654
5 kW 4134 kWh 2894 kWh 1240 kWh £0 £124 £124 £13,673 110.2 yrs £-11,192
6 kW 4961 kWh 3472 kWh 1488 kWh £0 £149 £149 £15,707 105.5 yrs £-12,731
7 kW 5787 kWh 4051 kWh 1736 kWh £0 £174 £174 £17,742 102.2 yrs £-14,269
8 kW 6614 kWh 4630 kWh 1984 kWh £0 £198 £198 £19,776 99.7 yrs £-15,808

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: £112, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 138.2 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1654 kWh 1207 kWh 446 kWh £0 £45 £45 £9,319 208.7 yrs £-8,426
3 kW 2480 kWh 1811 kWh 670 kWh £0 £67 £67 £11,354 169.5 yrs £-10,014
4 kW 3307 kWh 2414 kWh 893 kWh £0 £89 £89 £13,388 149.9 yrs £-11,602
5 kW 4134 kWh 3018 kWh 1116 kWh £0 £112 £112 £15,423 138.2 yrs £-13,190
6 kW 4961 kWh 3621 kWh 1339 kWh £0 £134 £134 £17,457 130.3 yrs £-14,778
7 kW 5787 kWh 4225 kWh 1563 kWh £0 £156 £156 £19,492 124.7 yrs £-16,366
8 kW 6614 kWh 4828 kWh 1786 kWh £0 £179 £179 £21,526 120.5 yrs £-17,954

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: £103, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 166.2 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1654 kWh 1240 kWh 413 kWh £0 £41 £41 £11,069 267.8 yrs £-10,242
3 kW 2480 kWh 1860 kWh 620 kWh £0 £62 £62 £13,104 211.3 yrs £-11,863
4 kW 3307 kWh 2480 kWh 827 kWh £0 £83 £83 £15,138 183.1 yrs £-13,484
5 kW 4134 kWh 3100 kWh 1033 kWh £0 £103 £103 £17,173 166.2 yrs £-15,106
6 kW 4961 kWh 3721 kWh 1240 kWh £0 £124 £124 £19,207 154.9 yrs £-16,727
7 kW 5787 kWh 4341 kWh 1447 kWh £0 £145 £145 £21,242 146.8 yrs £-18,348
8 kW 6614 kWh 4961 kWh 1654 kWh £0 £165 £165 £23,276 140.8 yrs £-19,969

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: £95, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 206.4 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1654 kWh 1273 kWh 380 kWh £0 £38 £38 £13,519 355.5 yrs £-12,758
3 kW 2480 kWh 1910 kWh 570 kWh £0 £57 £57 £15,554 272.6 yrs £-14,413
4 kW 3307 kWh 2546 kWh 761 kWh £0 £76 £76 £17,588 231.2 yrs £-16,067
5 kW 4134 kWh 3183 kWh 951 kWh £0 £95 £95 £19,623 206.4 yrs £-17,721
6 kW 4961 kWh 3820 kWh 1141 kWh £0 £114 £114 £21,657 189.8 yrs £-19,375
7 kW 5787 kWh 4456 kWh 1331 kWh £0 £133 £133 £23,692 178.0 yrs £-21,029
8 kW 6614 kWh 5093 kWh 1521 kWh £0 £152 £152 £25,726 169.1 yrs £-22,684

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
827kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~827 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

Derry City and Strabane (100%)

Areas Covered

Northland, City Walls, Brandywell, Skeoge, Madam's Bank, Shantallow, Creggan, Creggan South + 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

BT47 (Derry City and Strabane)
≈3.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~806 kWh/kWp · -2% vs BT48
BT82 (Derry City and Strabane)
≈21.8 km away
Local sunshine: ~795 kWh/kWp · -4% vs BT48
BT49 (Causeway Coast and Glens)
≈24.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~846 kWh/kWp · +2% vs BT48
BT81 (Derry City and Strabane)
≈37.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~837 kWh/kWp · +1% vs BT48
BT51 (Causeway Coast and Glens)
≈42.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~860 kWh/kWp · +4% vs BT48
BT55 (Causeway Coast and Glens)
≈43.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~854 kWh/kWp · +3% vs BT48

Similar sunshine across the UK

SK11 (Cheshire East)
~827 kWh/kWp · +0% vs BT48
G83 (West Dunbartonshire)
~827 kWh/kWp · -0% vs BT48
ML8 (South Lanarkshire)
~827 kWh/kWp · -0% vs BT48