Independent solar numbers for your postcode using official UK data
Home Regions Guides Compare quotes Solar assistant
Insights
Big Roof Britain Solar Payback Index Standing Charge Drag Roof Direction Penalty Winter Solar Reality Seasonal Solar Output

Solar panel cost in South Cambridgeshire (CB3)

See realistic solar installation costs, savings and payback for CB3 (South Cambridgeshire) 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
10.9 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£5,481
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£501
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£7,053
After paying itself off, you're this much ahead

Ready to Get Started?

Get your free quote from Blue Ape Renewables. They'll connect you with MCS-certified installers in your area and handle all the paperwork.

Get Solar Quote →
4.8★ Trustpilot • Octopus Energy trusted partner • MCS certified • No obligation
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 Eastern, the current unit rate is 26.38p/kWh with a 53.94p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 1010 kWh/kW — 0 above the regional median (1009).

Read the full story

A typical roof here lands around 3.0 kW, with most eligible homes comfortably fitting within 3–6 kW. Each kilowatt of panels produces roughly 1010 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 26.4p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.

Unit rate
26.4p/kWh
Standing charge
53.9p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
1010 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: £836, Upfront: £9,134, Break-even: 10.9 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2019 kWh 808 kWh 1212 kWh £213 £121 £334 £3,654 10.9 yrs £3,031
3 kW 3029 kWh 1212 kWh 1817 kWh £320 £182 £501 £5,481 10.9 yrs £4,546
4 kW 4038 kWh 1615 kWh 2423 kWh £426 £242 £668 £7,307 10.9 yrs £6,061
5 kW 5048 kWh 2019 kWh 3029 kWh £533 £303 £836 £9,134 10.9 yrs £7,577
6 kW 6058 kWh 2423 kWh 3635 kWh £639 £363 £1,003 £10,961 10.9 yrs £9,092
7 kW 7067 kWh 2827 kWh 4240 kWh £746 £424 £1,170 £12,788 10.9 yrs £10,608
8 kW 8077 kWh 3231 kWh 4846 kWh £852 £485 £1,337 £14,615 10.9 yrs £12,123

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,827, battery £/kWh = 700.

3 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £1,001, Upfront: £11,234, Break-even: 11.2 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2019 kWh 1212 kWh 808 kWh £320 £81 £400 £5,754 14.4 yrs £2,254
3 kW 3029 kWh 1817 kWh 1212 kWh £479 £121 £601 £7,581 12.6 yrs £4,431
4 kW 4038 kWh 2423 kWh 1615 kWh £639 £162 £801 £9,407 11.7 yrs £6,607
5 kW 5048 kWh 3029 kWh 2019 kWh £799 £202 £1,001 £11,234 11.2 yrs £8,784
6 kW 6058 kWh 3635 kWh 2423 kWh £959 £242 £1,201 £13,061 10.9 yrs £10,961
7 kW 7067 kWh 4240 kWh 2827 kWh £1,119 £283 £1,401 £14,888 10.6 yrs £13,138
8 kW 8077 kWh 4846 kWh 3231 kWh £1,278 £323 £1,601 £16,715 10.4 yrs £15,315

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,827, battery £/kWh = 700.

5 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £1,084, Upfront: £12,634, Break-even: 11.7 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2019 kWh 1413 kWh 606 kWh £373 £61 £433 £7,154 16.5 yrs £1,515
3 kW 3029 kWh 2120 kWh 909 kWh £559 £91 £650 £8,981 13.8 yrs £4,023
4 kW 4038 kWh 2827 kWh 1212 kWh £746 £121 £867 £10,807 12.5 yrs £6,530
5 kW 5048 kWh 3534 kWh 1514 kWh £932 £151 £1,084 £12,634 11.7 yrs £9,038
6 kW 6058 kWh 4240 kWh 1817 kWh £1,119 £182 £1,300 £14,461 11.1 yrs £11,546
7 kW 7067 kWh 4947 kWh 2120 kWh £1,305 £212 £1,517 £16,288 10.7 yrs £14,053
8 kW 8077 kWh 5654 kWh 2423 kWh £1,491 £242 £1,734 £18,115 10.4 yrs £16,561

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,827, battery £/kWh = 700.

7.5 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £1,108, Upfront: £14,384, Break-even: 13.0 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2019 kWh 1474 kWh 545 kWh £389 £55 £443 £8,904 20.1 yrs £-36
3 kW 3029 kWh 2211 kWh 818 kWh £583 £82 £665 £10,731 16.1 yrs £2,571
4 kW 4038 kWh 2948 kWh 1090 kWh £778 £109 £887 £12,557 14.2 yrs £5,177
5 kW 5048 kWh 3685 kWh 1363 kWh £972 £136 £1,108 £14,384 13.0 yrs £7,784
6 kW 6058 kWh 4422 kWh 1636 kWh £1,167 £164 £1,330 £16,211 12.2 yrs £10,391
7 kW 7067 kWh 5159 kWh 1908 kWh £1,361 £191 £1,552 £18,038 11.6 yrs £12,998
8 kW 8077 kWh 5896 kWh 2181 kWh £1,555 £218 £1,773 £19,865 11.2 yrs £15,605

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,827, battery £/kWh = 700.

10 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £1,125, Upfront: £16,134, Break-even: 14.3 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2019 kWh 1514 kWh 505 kWh £400 £50 £450 £10,654 23.7 yrs £-1,654
3 kW 3029 kWh 2272 kWh 757 kWh £599 £76 £675 £12,481 18.5 yrs £1,019
4 kW 4038 kWh 3029 kWh 1010 kWh £799 £101 £900 £14,307 15.9 yrs £3,692
5 kW 5048 kWh 3786 kWh 1262 kWh £999 £126 £1,125 £16,134 14.3 yrs £6,365
6 kW 6058 kWh 4543 kWh 1514 kWh £1,199 £151 £1,350 £17,961 13.3 yrs £9,038
7 kW 7067 kWh 5300 kWh 1767 kWh £1,398 £177 £1,575 £19,788 12.6 yrs £11,711
8 kW 8077 kWh 6058 kWh 2019 kWh £1,598 £202 £1,800 £21,615 12.0 yrs £14,384

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,827, battery £/kWh = 700.

13.5 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £1,141, Upfront: £18,584, Break-even: 16.3 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2019 kWh 1555 kWh 464 kWh £410 £46 £457 £13,104 28.7 yrs £-3,972
3 kW 3029 kWh 2332 kWh 697 kWh £615 £70 £685 £14,931 21.8 yrs £-1,233
4 kW 4038 kWh 3110 kWh 929 kWh £820 £93 £913 £16,757 18.4 yrs £1,507
5 kW 5048 kWh 3887 kWh 1161 kWh £1,025 £116 £1,141 £18,584 16.3 yrs £4,246
6 kW 6058 kWh 4664 kWh 1393 kWh £1,230 £139 £1,370 £20,411 14.9 yrs £6,985
7 kW 7067 kWh 5442 kWh 1625 kWh £1,436 £163 £1,598 £22,238 13.9 yrs £9,724
8 kW 8077 kWh 6219 kWh 1858 kWh £1,641 £186 £1,826 £24,065 13.2 yrs £12,463

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,827, 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 South Cambridgeshire

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

New quote check

Want a quote sanity check for CB3?

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.

Request a quote sanity check →

Insights for CB3

Figures below are tailored to CB3 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #1685 of 2182
4.5 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~9 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #430 of 2996
9.7 years (UK avg 10.8 years)
~£1,003 /yr • £9,767 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #413 of 2996
19.6% (UK avg 26.6%) drag on savings
£197 fixed • ~£1,003 /yr value
Aspect Penalty View ranking →
East −22.7% West −20.2%
Typical output loss versus a south-facing roof (lower is better)

Seasonal solar output in CB3

Monthly generation per kilowatt of solar panels

kWh 39 Jan 54 Feb 86 Mar 113 Apr 119 May 120 Jun 120 Jul 110 Aug 95 Sep 68 Oct 48 Nov 35 Dec
Best month Worst month Winter (Dec–Feb) Other months

Winter output: 51.2% of an average month (Dec–Feb)

Best / worst month: Jul / Dec

These figures show output per kilowatt (kW) of panels installed. In winter, a 1 kW system here produces about 43 kWh per month; the average month produces around 84 kWh. So a typical 4 kW home system would generate roughly 172 kWh in winter, or 337 kWh in an average month.

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
26.38p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
53.94p/day
Local Sunshine
1010kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~1010 kWh per year. A typical home uses ~2,700 kWh per year.
Typical System Size
3.0kW
For houses & bungalows in this area

⚠️ This area is predominantly flats. Many residents require freeholder approval for solar installations. System size shown reflects houses and bungalows only.

Local Property Data

Property Types

Houses: 43% • Flats: 52% • Bungalows: 4% Based on 5,352 properties

Coverage

South Cambridgeshire (65%)|Cambridge (35%)

Areas Covered

Caxton & Papworth, Newnham, Harston & Comberton, Girton, Cambourne, Castle, Abbey, Caldecote + 4 more

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 Eastern

CB4 (South Cambridgeshire)
≈5.2 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,010 kWh/kWp · +0% vs CB3
CB23 (South Cambridgeshire)
≈6.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,015 kWh/kWp · +1% vs CB3
CB2 (Cambridge)
≈6.2 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,013 kWh/kWp · +0% vs CB3
CB1 (Cambridge)
≈6.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,013 kWh/kWp · +0% vs CB3
CB5 (Cambridge)
≈8.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,009 kWh/kWp · -0% vs CB3
CB24 (South Cambridgeshire)
≈8.5 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,012 kWh/kWp · +0% vs CB3

Similar sunshine across the UK

GU34 (East Hampshire)
~1,010 kWh/kWp · -0% vs CB3
PE6 (Peterborough)
~1,010 kWh/kWp · +0% vs CB3
PE22 (East Lindsey)
~1,010 kWh/kWp · +0% vs CB3