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Solar panel cost in Dorset (DT8)

See realistic solar installation costs, savings and payback for DT8 (Dorset) 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
9.7 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£9,767
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£1,010
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£15,481
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 Southern Western, the current unit rate is 26.39p/kWh with a 57.89p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 1017 kWh/kW — 3 above the regional median (1013).

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 1017 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
57.9p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
1017 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: £842, Upfront: £8,139, Break-even: 9.7 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2033 kWh 813 kWh 1220 kWh £215 £122 £337 £3,256 9.7 yrs £3,477
3 kW 3050 kWh 1220 kWh 1830 kWh £322 £183 £505 £4,883 9.7 yrs £5,216
4 kW 4067 kWh 1627 kWh 2440 kWh £429 £244 £673 £6,511 9.7 yrs £6,954
5 kW 5083 kWh 2033 kWh 3050 kWh £537 £305 £842 £8,139 9.7 yrs £8,693
6 kW 6100 kWh 2440 kWh 3660 kWh £644 £366 £1,010 £9,767 9.7 yrs £10,432
7 kW 7117 kWh 2847 kWh 4270 kWh £751 £427 £1,178 £11,394 9.7 yrs £12,170
8 kW 8133 kWh 3253 kWh 4880 kWh £859 £488 £1,347 £13,022 9.7 yrs £13,909

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: £1,008, Upfront: £10,239, Break-even: 10.2 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2033 kWh 1220 kWh 813 kWh £322 £81 £403 £5,356 13.3 yrs £2,710
3 kW 3050 kWh 1830 kWh 1220 kWh £483 £122 £605 £6,983 11.5 yrs £5,115
4 kW 4067 kWh 2440 kWh 1627 kWh £644 £163 £807 £8,611 10.7 yrs £7,521
5 kW 5083 kWh 3050 kWh 2033 kWh £805 £203 £1,008 £10,239 10.2 yrs £9,926
6 kW 6100 kWh 3660 kWh 2440 kWh £966 £244 £1,210 £11,867 9.8 yrs £12,331
7 kW 7117 kWh 4270 kWh 2847 kWh £1,127 £285 £1,412 £13,494 9.6 yrs £14,736
8 kW 8133 kWh 4880 kWh 3253 kWh £1,288 £325 £1,613 £15,122 9.4 yrs £17,141

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: £1,092, Upfront: £11,639, Break-even: 10.7 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2033 kWh 1423 kWh 610 kWh £376 £61 £437 £6,756 15.5 yrs £1,977
3 kW 3050 kWh 2135 kWh 915 kWh £563 £91 £655 £8,383 12.8 yrs £4,715
4 kW 4067 kWh 2847 kWh 1220 kWh £751 £122 £873 £10,011 11.5 yrs £7,454
5 kW 5083 kWh 3558 kWh 1525 kWh £939 £152 £1,092 £11,639 10.7 yrs £10,192
6 kW 6100 kWh 4270 kWh 1830 kWh £1,127 £183 £1,310 £13,267 10.1 yrs £12,930
7 kW 7117 kWh 4982 kWh 2135 kWh £1,315 £213 £1,528 £14,894 9.7 yrs £15,669
8 kW 8133 kWh 5693 kWh 2440 kWh £1,502 £244 £1,746 £16,522 9.5 yrs £18,407

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: £1,117, Upfront: £13,389, Break-even: 12.0 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2033 kWh 1484 kWh 549 kWh £392 £55 £447 £8,506 19.0 yrs £427
3 kW 3050 kWh 2226 kWh 823 kWh £588 £82 £670 £10,133 15.1 yrs £3,265
4 kW 4067 kWh 2969 kWh 1098 kWh £783 £110 £893 £11,761 13.2 yrs £6,103
5 kW 5083 kWh 3711 kWh 1372 kWh £979 £137 £1,117 £13,389 12.0 yrs £8,942
6 kW 6100 kWh 4453 kWh 1647 kWh £1,175 £165 £1,340 £15,017 11.2 yrs £11,780
7 kW 7117 kWh 5195 kWh 1921 kWh £1,371 £192 £1,563 £16,644 10.6 yrs £14,619
8 kW 8133 kWh 5937 kWh 2196 kWh £1,567 £220 £1,786 £18,272 10.2 yrs £17,457

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: £1,133, Upfront: £15,139, Break-even: 13.4 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2033 kWh 1525 kWh 508 kWh £402 £51 £453 £10,256 22.6 yrs £-1,190
3 kW 3050 kWh 2287 kWh 762 kWh £604 £76 £680 £11,883 17.5 yrs £1,715
4 kW 4067 kWh 3050 kWh 1017 kWh £805 £102 £907 £13,511 14.9 yrs £4,620
5 kW 5083 kWh 3812 kWh 1271 kWh £1,006 £127 £1,133 £15,139 13.4 yrs £7,525
6 kW 6100 kWh 4575 kWh 1525 kWh £1,207 £152 £1,360 £16,767 12.3 yrs £10,430
7 kW 7117 kWh 5337 kWh 1779 kWh £1,409 £178 £1,586 £18,394 11.6 yrs £13,335
8 kW 8133 kWh 6100 kWh 2033 kWh £1,610 £203 £1,813 £20,022 11.0 yrs £16,240

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: £1,150, Upfront: £17,589, Break-even: 15.3 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2033 kWh 1566 kWh 468 kWh £413 £47 £460 £12,706 27.6 yrs £-3,507
3 kW 3050 kWh 2348 kWh 701 kWh £620 £70 £690 £14,333 20.8 yrs £-535
4 kW 4067 kWh 3131 kWh 935 kWh £826 £94 £920 £15,961 17.4 yrs £2,437
5 kW 5083 kWh 3914 kWh 1169 kWh £1,033 £117 £1,150 £17,589 15.3 yrs £5,408
6 kW 6100 kWh 4697 kWh 1403 kWh £1,240 £140 £1,380 £19,217 13.9 yrs £8,380
7 kW 7117 kWh 5480 kWh 1637 kWh £1,446 £164 £1,610 £20,844 12.9 yrs £11,352
8 kW 8133 kWh 6263 kWh 1871 kWh £1,653 £187 £1,840 £22,472 12.2 yrs £14,323

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 Dorset

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 DT8

Figures below are tailored to DT8 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #420 of 2182
5.7 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~12 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #458 of 2996
9.7 years (UK avg 10.8 years)
~£1,010 /yr • £9,767 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #700 of 2996
20.9% (UK avg 26.6%) drag on savings
£211 fixed • ~£1,010 /yr value
Aspect Penalty View ranking →
East −20.1% West −19.6%
Typical output loss versus a south-facing roof (lower is better)

Seasonal solar output in DT8

Monthly generation per kilowatt of solar panels

kWh 40 Jan 54 Feb 89 Mar 117 Apr 124 May 123 Jun 123 Jul 111 Aug 93 Sep 64 Oct 46 Nov 34 Dec
Best month Worst month Winter (Dec–Feb) Other months

Winter output: 50.0% 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 42 kWh per month; the average month produces around 85 kWh. So a typical 4 kW home system would generate roughly 169 kWh in winter, or 339 kWh in an average month.

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
26.39p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
57.89p/day
Local Sunshine
1017kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~1017 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: 64% • Flats: 12% • Bungalows: 23% Based on 2,002 properties

Coverage

Dorset (100%)

Areas Covered

Beaminster, Marshwood Vale, Bridport, Eggardon, Yetminster, Crewkerne

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 Southern Western

TA18 (Somerset)
≈8.3 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,012 kWh/kWp · -0% vs DT8
DT6 (Dorset)
≈8.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,079 kWh/kWp · +6% vs DT8
TA16 (Somerset)
≈11.2 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,017 kWh/kWp · +0% vs DT8
TA17 (Somerset)
≈12.2 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,019 kWh/kWp · +0% vs DT8
TA15 (Somerset)
≈15.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,018 kWh/kWp · +0% vs DT8
TA14 (Somerset)
≈15.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,018 kWh/kWp · +0% vs DT8

Similar sunshine across the UK

DA18 (Bexley)
~1,017 kWh/kWp · -0% vs DT8
CM24 (Uttlesford)
~1,017 kWh/kWp · -0% vs DT8
SO23 (Winchester)
~1,017 kWh/kWp · -0% vs DT8