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Solar panel cost in Cumberland (CA4)

See realistic solar installation costs, savings and payback for CA4 (Cumberland) 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
11.3 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£9,767
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£863
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£11,821
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 North West, the current unit rate is 26.13p/kWh with a 47.61p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 875 kWh/kW — 5 above the regional median (870).

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 875 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 26.1p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.

Unit rate
26.1p/kWh
Standing charge
47.6p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
875 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: £720, Upfront: £8,139, Break-even: 11.3 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1750 kWh 700 kWh 1050 kWh £183 £105 £288 £3,256 11.3 yrs £2,501
3 kW 2624 kWh 1050 kWh 1575 kWh £274 £157 £432 £4,883 11.3 yrs £3,752
4 kW 3499 kWh 1400 kWh 2099 kWh £366 £210 £576 £6,511 11.3 yrs £5,002
5 kW 4374 kWh 1750 kWh 2624 kWh £457 £262 £720 £8,139 11.3 yrs £6,253
6 kW 5248 kWh 2099 kWh 3149 kWh £549 £315 £863 £9,767 11.3 yrs £7,503
7 kW 6123 kWh 2449 kWh 3674 kWh £640 £367 £1,007 £11,394 11.3 yrs £8,754
8 kW 6998 kWh 2799 kWh 4199 kWh £731 £420 £1,151 £13,022 11.3 yrs £10,004

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: £861, Upfront: £10,239, Break-even: 11.9 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1750 kWh 1050 kWh 700 kWh £274 £70 £344 £5,356 15.6 yrs £1,530
3 kW 2624 kWh 1575 kWh 1050 kWh £411 £105 £516 £6,983 13.5 yrs £3,345
4 kW 3499 kWh 2099 kWh 1400 kWh £549 £140 £689 £8,611 12.5 yrs £5,160
5 kW 4374 kWh 2624 kWh 1750 kWh £686 £175 £861 £10,239 11.9 yrs £6,975
6 kW 5248 kWh 3149 kWh 2099 kWh £823 £210 £1,033 £11,867 11.5 yrs £8,789
7 kW 6123 kWh 3674 kWh 2449 kWh £960 £245 £1,205 £13,494 11.2 yrs £10,604
8 kW 6998 kWh 4199 kWh 2799 kWh £1,097 £280 £1,377 £15,122 11.0 yrs £12,419

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: £931, Upfront: £11,639, Break-even: 12.5 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1750 kWh 1225 kWh 525 kWh £320 £52 £372 £6,756 18.1 yrs £694
3 kW 2624 kWh 1837 kWh 787 kWh £480 £79 £559 £8,383 15.0 yrs £2,791
4 kW 3499 kWh 2449 kWh 1050 kWh £640 £105 £745 £10,011 13.4 yrs £4,888
5 kW 4374 kWh 3062 kWh 1312 kWh £800 £131 £931 £11,639 12.5 yrs £6,986
6 kW 5248 kWh 3674 kWh 1575 kWh £960 £157 £1,117 £13,267 11.9 yrs £9,083
7 kW 6123 kWh 4286 kWh 1837 kWh £1,120 £184 £1,304 £14,894 11.4 yrs £11,180
8 kW 6998 kWh 4899 kWh 2099 kWh £1,280 £210 £1,490 £16,522 11.1 yrs £13,277

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: £952, Upfront: £13,389, Break-even: 14.1 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1750 kWh 1277 kWh 472 kWh £334 £47 £381 £8,506 22.3 yrs £-886
3 kW 2624 kWh 1916 kWh 709 kWh £501 £71 £571 £10,133 17.7 yrs £1,295
4 kW 3499 kWh 2554 kWh 945 kWh £667 £94 £762 £11,761 15.4 yrs £3,477
5 kW 4374 kWh 3193 kWh 1181 kWh £834 £118 £952 £13,389 14.1 yrs £5,659
6 kW 5248 kWh 3831 kWh 1417 kWh £1,001 £142 £1,143 £15,017 13.1 yrs £7,841
7 kW 6123 kWh 4470 kWh 1653 kWh £1,168 £165 £1,333 £16,644 12.5 yrs £10,022
8 kW 6998 kWh 5109 kWh 1889 kWh £1,335 £189 £1,524 £18,272 12.0 yrs £12,204

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: £966, Upfront: £15,139, Break-even: 15.7 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1750 kWh 1312 kWh 437 kWh £343 £44 £387 £10,256 26.5 yrs £-2,524
3 kW 2624 kWh 1968 kWh 656 kWh £514 £66 £580 £11,883 20.5 yrs £-285
4 kW 3499 kWh 2624 kWh 875 kWh £686 £87 £773 £13,511 17.5 yrs £1,953
5 kW 4374 kWh 3280 kWh 1093 kWh £857 £109 £966 £15,139 15.7 yrs £4,191
6 kW 5248 kWh 3936 kWh 1312 kWh £1,029 £131 £1,160 £16,767 14.5 yrs £6,429
7 kW 6123 kWh 4592 kWh 1531 kWh £1,200 £153 £1,353 £18,394 13.6 yrs £8,667
8 kW 6998 kWh 5248 kWh 1750 kWh £1,371 £175 £1,546 £20,022 12.9 yrs £10,906

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: £981, Upfront: £17,589, Break-even: 17.9 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1750 kWh 1347 kWh 402 kWh £352 £40 £392 £12,706 32.4 yrs £-4,861
3 kW 2624 kWh 2021 kWh 604 kWh £528 £60 £588 £14,333 24.4 yrs £-2,566
4 kW 3499 kWh 2694 kWh 805 kWh £704 £80 £784 £15,961 20.3 yrs £-271
5 kW 4374 kWh 3368 kWh 1006 kWh £880 £101 £981 £17,589 17.9 yrs £2,023
6 kW 5248 kWh 4041 kWh 1207 kWh £1,056 £121 £1,177 £19,217 16.3 yrs £4,318
7 kW 6123 kWh 4715 kWh 1408 kWh £1,232 £141 £1,373 £20,844 15.2 yrs £6,612
8 kW 6998 kWh 5388 kWh 1610 kWh £1,408 £161 £1,569 £22,472 14.3 yrs £8,907

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 Cumberland

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.

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Check what MCS certification means

Understand DNO, G98 and G99 export limits

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Insights for CA4

Figures below are tailored to CA4 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #39 of 2182
7.2 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~15 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #2187 of 2996
11.3 years (UK avg 10.8 years)
~£864 /yr • £9,767 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #580 of 2996
20.1% (UK avg 26.6%) drag on savings
£174 fixed • ~£864 /yr value
Aspect Penalty View ranking →
East −20.4% West −19.9%
Typical output loss versus a south-facing roof (lower is better)

Seasonal solar output in CA4

Monthly generation per kilowatt of solar panels

kWh 27 Jan 45 Feb 75 Mar 105 Apr 117 May 110 Jun 111 Jul 97 Aug 77 Sep 53 Oct 35 Nov 23 Dec
Best month Worst month Winter (Dec–Feb) Other months

Winter output: 43.4% 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 73 kWh. So a typical 4 kW home system would generate roughly 126 kWh in winter, or 292 kWh in an average month.

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
26.13p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
47.61p/day
Local Sunshine
875kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~875 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

Houses: 69% • Flats: 8% • Bungalows: 22% Based on 2,528 properties

Coverage

Cumberland (72%)|Westmorland and Furness (28%)

Areas Covered

Wetheral, Corby and Hayton, Hesket and Lazonby, Alston and Fellside, Houghton and Irthington, Denton Holme, Dalston and Burgh

Data Sources & Assumptions

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

Electricity rates: Ofgem price cap, Q3 2026

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 North West

CA1 (Cumberland)
≈6.3 km away
Local sunshine: ~886 kWh/kWp · +1% vs CA4
CA99 (Cumberland)
≈7.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~886 kWh/kWp · +1% vs CA4
CA2 (Cumberland)
≈7.8 km away
Local sunshine: ~885 kWh/kWp · +1% vs CA4
CA3 (Cumberland)
≈8.2 km away
Local sunshine: ~884 kWh/kWp · +1% vs CA4
CA8 (Cumberland)
≈10.5 km away
Local sunshine: ~786 kWh/kWp · -10% vs CA4
CA6 (Cumberland)
≈14.9 km away
Local sunshine: ~893 kWh/kWp · +2% vs CA4

Similar sunshine across the UK

ST7 (Newcastle-under-Lyme)
~875 kWh/kWp · +0% vs CA4
LL43 (Gwynedd)
~875 kWh/kWp · +0% vs CA4
LL44 (Gwynedd)
~875 kWh/kWp · +0% vs CA4