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 843 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.
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: £253, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 40.2 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1686 kWh | 674 kWh | 1011 kWh | £0 | £101 | £101 | £4,069 | 40.2 yrs | £-2,046 |
| 3 kW | 2528 kWh | 1011 kWh | 1517 kWh | £0 | £152 | £152 | £6,104 | 40.2 yrs | £-3,069 |
| 4 kW | 3371 kWh | 1348 kWh | 2023 kWh | £0 | £202 | £202 | £8,138 | 40.2 yrs | £-4,093 |
| 5 kW | 4214 kWh | 1686 kWh | 2528 kWh | £0 | £253 | £253 | £10,173 | 40.2 yrs | £-5,116 |
| 6 kW | 5057 kWh | 2023 kWh | 3034 kWh | £0 | £303 | £303 | £12,207 | 40.2 yrs | £-6,139 |
| 7 kW | 5900 kWh | 2360 kWh | 3540 kWh | £0 | £354 | £354 | £14,242 | 40.2 yrs | £-7,162 |
| 8 kW | 6742 kWh | 2697 kWh | 4045 kWh | £0 | £405 | £405 | £16,276 | 40.2 yrs | £-8,185 |
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: £169, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 72.8 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1686 kWh | 1011 kWh | 674 kWh | £0 | £67 | £67 | £6,169 | 91.5 yrs | £-4,821 |
| 3 kW | 2528 kWh | 1517 kWh | 1011 kWh | £0 | £101 | £101 | £8,204 | 81.1 yrs | £-6,181 |
| 4 kW | 3371 kWh | 2023 kWh | 1348 kWh | £0 | £135 | £135 | £10,238 | 75.9 yrs | £-7,541 |
| 5 kW | 4214 kWh | 2528 kWh | 1686 kWh | £0 | £169 | £169 | £12,273 | 72.8 yrs | £-8,901 |
| 6 kW | 5057 kWh | 3034 kWh | 2023 kWh | £0 | £202 | £202 | £14,307 | 70.7 yrs | £-10,262 |
| 7 kW | 5900 kWh | 3540 kWh | 2360 kWh | £0 | £236 | £236 | £16,342 | 69.2 yrs | £-11,622 |
| 8 kW | 6742 kWh | 4045 kWh | 2697 kWh | £0 | £270 | £270 | £18,376 | 68.1 yrs | £-12,982 |
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: £126, Upfront: £13,673, Break-even: 108.2 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1686 kWh | 1180 kWh | 506 kWh | £0 | £51 | £51 | £7,569 | 149.7 yrs | £-6,558 |
| 3 kW | 2528 kWh | 1770 kWh | 759 kWh | £0 | £76 | £76 | £9,604 | 126.6 yrs | £-8,087 |
| 4 kW | 3371 kWh | 2360 kWh | 1011 kWh | £0 | £101 | £101 | £11,638 | 115.1 yrs | £-9,615 |
| 5 kW | 4214 kWh | 2950 kWh | 1264 kWh | £0 | £126 | £126 | £13,673 | 108.2 yrs | £-11,144 |
| 6 kW | 5057 kWh | 3540 kWh | 1517 kWh | £0 | £152 | £152 | £15,707 | 103.5 yrs | £-12,673 |
| 7 kW | 5900 kWh | 4130 kWh | 1770 kWh | £0 | £177 | £177 | £17,742 | 100.2 yrs | £-14,202 |
| 8 kW | 6742 kWh | 4720 kWh | 2023 kWh | £0 | £202 | £202 | £19,776 | 97.8 yrs | £-15,731 |
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: £114, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 135.6 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1686 kWh | 1230 kWh | 455 kWh | £0 | £46 | £46 | £9,319 | 204.8 yrs | £-8,409 |
| 3 kW | 2528 kWh | 1846 kWh | 683 kWh | £0 | £68 | £68 | £11,354 | 166.3 yrs | £-9,988 |
| 4 kW | 3371 kWh | 2461 kWh | 910 kWh | £0 | £91 | £91 | £13,388 | 147.1 yrs | £-11,568 |
| 5 kW | 4214 kWh | 3076 kWh | 1138 kWh | £0 | £114 | £114 | £15,423 | 135.6 yrs | £-13,147 |
| 6 kW | 5057 kWh | 3691 kWh | 1365 kWh | £0 | £137 | £137 | £17,457 | 127.9 yrs | £-14,726 |
| 7 kW | 5900 kWh | 4307 kWh | 1593 kWh | £0 | £159 | £159 | £19,492 | 122.4 yrs | £-16,306 |
| 8 kW | 6742 kWh | 4922 kWh | 1820 kWh | £0 | £182 | £182 | £21,526 | 118.2 yrs | £-17,885 |
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: £105, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 163.0 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1686 kWh | 1264 kWh | 421 kWh | £0 | £42 | £42 | £11,069 | 262.7 yrs | £-10,226 |
| 3 kW | 2528 kWh | 1896 kWh | 632 kWh | £0 | £63 | £63 | £13,104 | 207.3 yrs | £-11,839 |
| 4 kW | 3371 kWh | 2528 kWh | 843 kWh | £0 | £84 | £84 | £15,138 | 179.6 yrs | £-13,452 |
| 5 kW | 4214 kWh | 3160 kWh | 1053 kWh | £0 | £105 | £105 | £17,173 | 163.0 yrs | £-15,066 |
| 6 kW | 5057 kWh | 3793 kWh | 1264 kWh | £0 | £126 | £126 | £19,207 | 151.9 yrs | £-16,679 |
| 7 kW | 5900 kWh | 4425 kWh | 1475 kWh | £0 | £147 | £147 | £21,242 | 144.0 yrs | £-18,292 |
| 8 kW | 6742 kWh | 5057 kWh | 1686 kWh | £0 | £169 | £169 | £23,276 | 138.1 yrs | £-19,905 |
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: £97, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 202.5 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1686 kWh | 1298 kWh | 388 kWh | £0 | £39 | £39 | £13,519 | 348.7 yrs | £-12,744 |
| 3 kW | 2528 kWh | 1947 kWh | 582 kWh | £0 | £58 | £58 | £15,554 | 267.5 yrs | £-14,390 |
| 4 kW | 3371 kWh | 2596 kWh | 775 kWh | £0 | £78 | £78 | £17,588 | 226.8 yrs | £-16,037 |
| 5 kW | 4214 kWh | 3245 kWh | 969 kWh | £0 | £97 | £97 | £19,623 | 202.5 yrs | £-17,684 |
| 6 kW | 5057 kWh | 3894 kWh | 1163 kWh | £0 | £116 | £116 | £21,657 | 186.2 yrs | £-19,331 |
| 7 kW | 5900 kWh | 4543 kWh | 1357 kWh | £0 | £136 | £136 | £23,692 | 174.6 yrs | £-20,978 |
| 8 kW | 6742 kWh | 5192 kWh | 1551 kWh | £0 | £155 | £155 | £25,726 | 165.9 yrs | £-22,625 |
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.