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Solar panel cost in City of London (EC4M)

See realistic solar installation costs, savings and payback for EC4M (City of London) 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
10.0 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£9,767
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£980
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£14,738
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 London, the current unit rate is 26.35p/kWh with a 44.78p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 988 kWh/kW — 3 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 988 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
44.8p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
988 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: £817, Upfront: £8,139, Break-even: 10.0 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1975 kWh 790 kWh 1185 kWh £208 £119 £327 £3,256 10.0 yrs £3,279
3 kW 2963 kWh 1185 kWh 1778 kWh £312 £178 £490 £4,883 10.0 yrs £4,919
4 kW 3951 kWh 1580 kWh 2370 kWh £416 £237 £653 £6,511 10.0 yrs £6,558
5 kW 4938 kWh 1975 kWh 2963 kWh £521 £296 £817 £8,139 10.0 yrs £8,198
6 kW 5926 kWh 2370 kWh 3556 kWh £625 £356 £980 £9,767 10.0 yrs £9,837
7 kW 6914 kWh 2766 kWh 4148 kWh £729 £415 £1,144 £11,394 10.0 yrs £11,477
8 kW 7902 kWh 3161 kWh 4741 kWh £833 £474 £1,307 £13,022 10.0 yrs £13,116

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: £978, Upfront: £10,239, Break-even: 10.5 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1975 kWh 1185 kWh 790 kWh £312 £79 £391 £5,356 13.7 yrs £2,471
3 kW 2963 kWh 1778 kWh 1185 kWh £468 £119 £587 £6,983 11.9 yrs £4,756
4 kW 3951 kWh 2370 kWh 1580 kWh £625 £158 £783 £8,611 11.0 yrs £7,042
5 kW 4938 kWh 2963 kWh 1975 kWh £781 £198 £978 £10,239 10.5 yrs £9,327
6 kW 5926 kWh 3556 kWh 2370 kWh £937 £237 £1,174 £11,867 10.1 yrs £11,613
7 kW 6914 kWh 4148 kWh 2766 kWh £1,093 £277 £1,370 £13,494 9.9 yrs £13,898
8 kW 7902 kWh 4741 kWh 3161 kWh £1,249 £316 £1,565 £15,122 9.7 yrs £16,184

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: £1,059, Upfront: £11,639, Break-even: 11.0 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1975 kWh 1383 kWh 593 kWh £364 £59 £424 £6,756 15.9 yrs £1,717
3 kW 2963 kWh 2074 kWh 889 kWh £547 £89 £635 £8,383 13.2 yrs £4,325
4 kW 3951 kWh 2766 kWh 1185 kWh £729 £119 £847 £10,011 11.8 yrs £6,934
5 kW 4938 kWh 3457 kWh 1482 kWh £911 £148 £1,059 £11,639 11.0 yrs £9,542
6 kW 5926 kWh 4148 kWh 1778 kWh £1,093 £178 £1,271 £13,267 10.4 yrs £12,151
7 kW 6914 kWh 4840 kWh 2074 kWh £1,275 £207 £1,483 £14,894 10.0 yrs £14,759
8 kW 7902 kWh 5531 kWh 2370 kWh £1,457 £237 £1,694 £16,522 9.8 yrs £17,368

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: £1,083, Upfront: £13,389, Break-even: 12.4 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1975 kWh 1442 kWh 533 kWh £380 £53 £433 £8,506 19.6 yrs £161
3 kW 2963 kWh 2163 kWh 800 kWh £570 £80 £650 £10,133 15.6 yrs £2,866
4 kW 3951 kWh 2884 kWh 1067 kWh £760 £107 £867 £11,761 13.6 yrs £5,571
5 kW 4938 kWh 3605 kWh 1333 kWh £950 £133 £1,083 £13,389 12.4 yrs £8,277
6 kW 5926 kWh 4326 kWh 1600 kWh £1,140 £160 £1,300 £15,017 11.6 yrs £10,982
7 kW 6914 kWh 5047 kWh 1867 kWh £1,330 £187 £1,517 £16,644 11.0 yrs £13,687
8 kW 7902 kWh 5768 kWh 2133 kWh £1,520 £213 £1,733 £18,272 10.5 yrs £16,393

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: £1,099, Upfront: £15,139, Break-even: 13.8 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1975 kWh 1482 kWh 494 kWh £390 £49 £440 £10,256 23.3 yrs £-1,460
3 kW 2963 kWh 2222 kWh 741 kWh £586 £74 £660 £11,883 18.0 yrs £1,310
4 kW 3951 kWh 2963 kWh 988 kWh £781 £99 £880 £13,511 15.4 yrs £4,080
5 kW 4938 kWh 3704 kWh 1235 kWh £976 £123 £1,099 £15,139 13.8 yrs £6,850
6 kW 5926 kWh 4445 kWh 1482 kWh £1,171 £148 £1,319 £16,767 12.7 yrs £9,620
7 kW 6914 kWh 5185 kWh 1728 kWh £1,366 £173 £1,539 £18,394 12.0 yrs £12,390
8 kW 7902 kWh 5926 kWh 1975 kWh £1,562 £198 £1,759 £20,022 11.4 yrs £15,159

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: £1,116, Upfront: £17,589, Break-even: 15.8 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1975 kWh 1521 kWh 454 kWh £401 £45 £446 £12,706 28.5 yrs £-3,781
3 kW 2963 kWh 2282 kWh 682 kWh £601 £68 £669 £14,333 21.4 yrs £-946
4 kW 3951 kWh 3042 kWh 909 kWh £802 £91 £892 £15,961 17.9 yrs £1,888
5 kW 4938 kWh 3803 kWh 1136 kWh £1,002 £114 £1,116 £17,589 15.8 yrs £4,723
6 kW 5926 kWh 4563 kWh 1363 kWh £1,202 £136 £1,339 £19,217 14.4 yrs £7,557
7 kW 6914 kWh 5324 kWh 1590 kWh £1,403 £159 £1,562 £20,844 13.3 yrs £10,392
8 kW 7902 kWh 6084 kWh 1817 kWh £1,603 £182 £1,785 £22,472 12.6 yrs £13,226

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 City of London

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 EC4M

Figures below are tailored to EC4M — click through for full league tables.

Solar Payback Index Rank #1079 of 2996
10.0 years (UK avg 10.8 years)
~£980 /yr • £9,767 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #68 of 2996
16.6% (UK avg 26.6%) drag on savings
£163 fixed • ~£980 /yr value
Aspect Penalty View ranking →
East −22.3% West −19.4%
Typical output loss versus a south-facing roof (lower is better)

Seasonal solar output in EC4M

Monthly generation per kilowatt of solar panels

kWh 40 Jan 52 Feb 84 Mar 111 Apr 115 May 119 Jun 119 Jul 107 Aug 92 Sep 67 Oct 47 Nov 36 Dec
Best month Worst month Winter (Dec–Feb) Other months

Winter output: 51.5% 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 42 kWh per month; the average month produces around 82 kWh. So a typical 4 kW home system would generate roughly 170 kWh in winter, or 329 kWh in an average month.

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
26.35p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
44.78p/day
Local Sunshine
988kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~988 kWh per year. A typical home uses ~2,700 kWh per year.
Typical System Size
6.0kW
For eligible homes in this area

Local Property Data

Property Types

Houses: 0% • Flats: 98% • Bungalows: 0% Based on 179 properties

Coverage

City of London (91%)|Islington (9%)

Areas Covered

Farringdon Within, Bread Street, Cordwainer, Vintry, Clerkenwell, Castle Baynard, Queenhithe

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 London

EC4V (City of London)
≈0.2 km away
Local sunshine: ~989 kWh/kWp · +0% vs EC4M
EC2V (City of London)
≈0.5 km away
Local sunshine: ~989 kWh/kWp · +0% vs EC4M
EC4Y (City of London)
≈0.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~988 kWh/kWp · -0% vs EC4M
EC4A (City of London)
≈0.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~988 kWh/kWp · +0% vs EC4M
EC1A (City of London)
≈0.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~988 kWh/kWp · -0% vs EC4M
EC4N (City of London)
≈0.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~989 kWh/kWp · +0% vs EC4M

Similar sunshine across the UK

NN13 (West Northamptonshire)
~988 kWh/kWp · +0% vs EC4M
EN5 (Barnet)
~988 kWh/kWp · -0% vs EC4M
GU15 (Surrey Heath)
~988 kWh/kWp · -0% vs EC4M