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Solar Panels in EH14 (City of Edinburgh)

See if solar pays off for you in City of Edinburgh — price, savings and payback in under a minute (official UK data).

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
13.9 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£12,207
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£876
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£9,691
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: Bigger systems don’t shorten payback—cost and savings rise together per kW.
  • 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

Costs: Battery prices are typically £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 Scotland, the current unit rate is 25.84p/kWh with a 56.55p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 894 kWh/kW — 44 above the regional median (850).

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 894 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 25.8p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.

Unit rate
25.8p/kWh
Standing charge
56.5p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
894 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: £730, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 13.9 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1787 kWh 715 kWh 1072 kWh £185 £107 £292 £4,069 13.9 yrs £1,770
3 kW 2681 kWh 1072 kWh 1609 kWh £277 £161 £438 £6,104 13.9 yrs £2,656
4 kW 3575 kWh 1430 kWh 2145 kWh £369 £214 £584 £8,138 13.9 yrs £3,541
5 kW 4468 kWh 1787 kWh 2681 kWh £462 £268 £730 £10,173 13.9 yrs £4,426
6 kW 5362 kWh 2145 kWh 3217 kWh £554 £322 £876 £12,207 13.9 yrs £5,311
7 kW 6255 kWh 2502 kWh 3753 kWh £647 £375 £1,022 £14,242 13.9 yrs £6,196
8 kW 7149 kWh 2860 kWh 4289 kWh £739 £429 £1,168 £16,276 13.9 yrs £7,082

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: £871, Upfront: £12,273, 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 1787 kWh 1072 kWh 715 kWh £277 £71 £349 £6,169 17.7 yrs £803
3 kW 2681 kWh 1609 kWh 1072 kWh £416 £107 £523 £8,204 15.7 yrs £2,254
4 kW 3575 kWh 2145 kWh 1430 kWh £554 £143 £697 £10,238 14.7 yrs £3,706
5 kW 4468 kWh 2681 kWh 1787 kWh £693 £179 £871 £12,273 14.1 yrs £5,157
6 kW 5362 kWh 3217 kWh 2145 kWh £831 £214 £1,046 £14,307 13.7 yrs £6,608
7 kW 6255 kWh 3753 kWh 2502 kWh £970 £250 £1,220 £16,342 13.4 yrs £8,060
8 kW 7149 kWh 4289 kWh 2860 kWh £1,108 £286 £1,394 £18,376 13.2 yrs £9,511

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: £942, Upfront: £13,673, Break-even: 14.5 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1787 kWh 1251 kWh 536 kWh £323 £54 £377 £7,569 20.1 yrs £-31
3 kW 2681 kWh 1877 kWh 804 kWh £485 £80 £565 £9,604 17.0 yrs £1,704
4 kW 3575 kWh 2502 kWh 1072 kWh £647 £107 £754 £11,638 15.4 yrs £3,438
5 kW 4468 kWh 3128 kWh 1340 kWh £808 £134 £942 £13,673 14.5 yrs £5,173
6 kW 5362 kWh 3753 kWh 1609 kWh £970 £161 £1,131 £15,707 13.9 yrs £6,907
7 kW 6255 kWh 4379 kWh 1877 kWh £1,131 £188 £1,319 £17,742 13.4 yrs £8,642
8 kW 7149 kWh 5004 kWh 2145 kWh £1,293 £214 £1,508 £19,776 13.1 yrs £10,376

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: £963, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 16.0 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1787 kWh 1305 kWh 483 kWh £337 £48 £385 £9,319 24.2 yrs £-1,611
3 kW 2681 kWh 1957 kWh 724 kWh £506 £72 £578 £11,354 19.6 yrs £208
4 kW 3575 kWh 2609 kWh 965 kWh £674 £97 £771 £13,388 17.4 yrs £2,028
5 kW 4468 kWh 3262 kWh 1206 kWh £843 £121 £963 £15,423 16.0 yrs £3,847
6 kW 5362 kWh 3914 kWh 1448 kWh £1,011 £145 £1,156 £17,457 15.1 yrs £5,667
7 kW 6255 kWh 4567 kWh 1689 kWh £1,180 £169 £1,349 £19,492 14.5 yrs £7,486
8 kW 7149 kWh 5219 kWh 1930 kWh £1,349 £193 £1,542 £21,526 14.0 yrs £9,306

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: £978, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 17.6 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1787 kWh 1340 kWh 447 kWh £346 £45 £391 £11,069 28.3 yrs £-3,248
3 kW 2681 kWh 2011 kWh 670 kWh £520 £67 £587 £13,104 22.3 yrs £-1,372
4 kW 3575 kWh 2681 kWh 894 kWh £693 £89 £782 £15,138 19.4 yrs £504
5 kW 4468 kWh 3351 kWh 1117 kWh £866 £112 £978 £17,173 17.6 yrs £2,380
6 kW 5362 kWh 4021 kWh 1340 kWh £1,039 £134 £1,173 £19,207 16.4 yrs £4,256
7 kW 6255 kWh 4692 kWh 1564 kWh £1,212 £156 £1,369 £21,242 15.5 yrs £6,132
8 kW 7149 kWh 5362 kWh 1787 kWh £1,385 £179 £1,564 £23,276 14.9 yrs £8,008

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: £992, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 19.8 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1787 kWh 1376 kWh 411 kWh £356 £41 £397 £13,519 34.1 yrs £-5,585
3 kW 2681 kWh 2064 kWh 617 kWh £533 £62 £595 £15,554 26.1 yrs £-3,652
4 kW 3575 kWh 2752 kWh 822 kWh £711 £82 £793 £17,588 22.2 yrs £-1,719
5 kW 4468 kWh 3441 kWh 1028 kWh £889 £103 £992 £19,623 19.8 yrs £213
6 kW 5362 kWh 4129 kWh 1233 kWh £1,067 £123 £1,190 £21,657 18.2 yrs £2,146
7 kW 6255 kWh 4817 kWh 1439 kWh £1,245 £144 £1,389 £23,692 17.1 yrs £4,079
8 kW 7149 kWh 5505 kWh 1644 kWh £1,422 £164 £1,587 £25,726 16.2 yrs £6,011

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.

Insights for EH14

Figures below are tailored to EH14 — click through for full league tables.

Solar Payback Index Rank #2472 of 2997
12.2 years (UK avg 11.3 years)
~£1,003 /yr • £12,207 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #1514 of 2997
20.6% (UK avg 21.7%) drag on savings
£206 fixed • ~£1,003 /yr value

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
25.84p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
56.55p/day
Local Sunshine
894kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~894 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

No EPC data available for this outcode

Coverage

City of Edinburgh (100%)

Areas Covered

Pentland Hills, Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart, Sighthill/Gorgie, Colinton/Fairmilehead, East Livingston and East Calder, Morningside, Inverleith

Data Sources & Assumptions

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

Electricity rates: Ofgem price cap, Q4 2025

Installation costs: MCS certified installer data, March 2025

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 Scotland

EH91 (City of Edinburgh)
≈1.9 km away
Local sunshine: ~882 kWh/kWp · -1% vs EH14
EH13 (City of Edinburgh)
≈2.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~893 kWh/kWp · -0% vs EH14
EH12 (City of Edinburgh)
≈3.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~883 kWh/kWp · -1% vs EH14
EH11 (City of Edinburgh)
≈3.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~894 kWh/kWp · +0% vs EH14
EH10 (City of Edinburgh)
≈4.4 km away
Local sunshine: ~894 kWh/kWp · +0% vs EH14
EH4 (City of Edinburgh)
≈5.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~892 kWh/kWp · -0% vs EH14

Similar sunshine across the UK

SA19 (Carmarthenshire)
~894 kWh/kWp · +0% vs EH14
TS14 (Redcar and Cleveland)
~894 kWh/kWp · -0% vs EH14
BD20 (Bradford)
~894 kWh/kWp · +0% vs EH14