A typical roof here lands around 5.0 kW, with most eligible homes comfortably fitting within 3–6 kW. Each kilowatt of panels produces roughly 831 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 27.1p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.
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: £699, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 14.6 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1662 kWh | 665 kWh | 997 kWh | £180 | £100 | £280 | £4,069 | 14.6 yrs | £1,524 |
| 3 kW | 2493 kWh | 997 kWh | 1496 kWh | £270 | £150 | £419 | £6,104 | 14.6 yrs | £2,286 |
| 4 kW | 3324 kWh | 1330 kWh | 1995 kWh | £360 | £199 | £559 | £8,138 | 14.6 yrs | £3,048 |
| 5 kW | 4155 kWh | 1662 kWh | 2493 kWh | £450 | £249 | £699 | £10,173 | 14.6 yrs | £3,810 |
| 6 kW | 4986 kWh | 1995 kWh | 2992 kWh | £540 | £299 | £839 | £12,207 | 14.6 yrs | £4,571 |
| 7 kW | 5818 kWh | 2327 kWh | 3491 kWh | £630 | £349 | £979 | £14,242 | 14.6 yrs | £5,333 |
| 8 kW | 6649 kWh | 2659 kWh | 3989 kWh | £720 | £399 | £1,119 | £16,276 | 14.6 yrs | £6,095 |
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: £841, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 14.6 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1662 kWh | 997 kWh | 665 kWh | £270 | £66 | £336 | £6,169 | 18.3 yrs | £558 |
| 3 kW | 2493 kWh | 1496 kWh | 997 kWh | £405 | £100 | £505 | £8,204 | 16.3 yrs | £1,887 |
| 4 kW | 3324 kWh | 1995 kWh | 1330 kWh | £540 | £133 | £673 | £10,238 | 15.2 yrs | £3,216 |
| 5 kW | 4155 kWh | 2493 kWh | 1662 kWh | £675 | £166 | £841 | £12,273 | 14.6 yrs | £4,545 |
| 6 kW | 4986 kWh | 2992 kWh | 1995 kWh | £810 | £199 | £1,009 | £14,307 | 14.2 yrs | £5,874 |
| 7 kW | 5818 kWh | 3491 kWh | 2327 kWh | £945 | £233 | £1,177 | £16,342 | 13.9 yrs | £7,203 |
| 8 kW | 6649 kWh | 3989 kWh | 2659 kWh | £1,079 | £266 | £1,345 | £18,376 | 13.7 yrs | £8,532 |
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: £912, Upfront: £13,673, Break-even: 15.0 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1662 kWh | 1164 kWh | 499 kWh | £315 | £50 | £365 | £7,569 | 20.8 yrs | £-275 |
| 3 kW | 2493 kWh | 1745 kWh | 748 kWh | £472 | £75 | £547 | £9,604 | 17.6 yrs | £1,338 |
| 4 kW | 3324 kWh | 2327 kWh | 997 kWh | £630 | £100 | £729 | £11,638 | 16.0 yrs | £2,950 |
| 5 kW | 4155 kWh | 2909 kWh | 1247 kWh | £787 | £125 | £912 | £13,673 | 15.0 yrs | £4,563 |
| 6 kW | 4986 kWh | 3491 kWh | 1496 kWh | £945 | £150 | £1,094 | £15,707 | 14.4 yrs | £6,176 |
| 7 kW | 5818 kWh | 4072 kWh | 1745 kWh | £1,102 | £175 | £1,276 | £17,742 | 13.9 yrs | £7,788 |
| 8 kW | 6649 kWh | 4654 kWh | 1995 kWh | £1,259 | £199 | £1,459 | £19,776 | 13.6 yrs | £9,401 |
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: £933, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 16.5 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1662 kWh | 1213 kWh | 449 kWh | £328 | £45 | £373 | £9,319 | 25.0 yrs | £-1,855 |
| 3 kW | 2493 kWh | 1820 kWh | 673 kWh | £493 | £67 | £560 | £11,354 | 20.3 yrs | £-157 |
| 4 kW | 3324 kWh | 2427 kWh | 898 kWh | £657 | £90 | £746 | £13,388 | 17.9 yrs | £1,541 |
| 5 kW | 4155 kWh | 3033 kWh | 1122 kWh | £821 | £112 | £933 | £15,423 | 16.5 yrs | £3,238 |
| 6 kW | 4986 kWh | 3640 kWh | 1346 kWh | £985 | £135 | £1,120 | £17,457 | 15.6 yrs | £4,936 |
| 7 kW | 5818 kWh | 4247 kWh | 1571 kWh | £1,149 | £157 | £1,306 | £19,492 | 14.9 yrs | £6,634 |
| 8 kW | 6649 kWh | 4854 kWh | 1795 kWh | £1,313 | £180 | £1,493 | £21,526 | 14.4 yrs | £8,331 |
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: £947, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 18.1 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1662 kWh | 1247 kWh | 416 kWh | £337 | £42 | £379 | £11,069 | 29.2 yrs | £-3,491 |
| 3 kW | 2493 kWh | 1870 kWh | 623 kWh | £506 | £62 | £568 | £13,104 | 23.1 yrs | £-1,737 |
| 4 kW | 3324 kWh | 2493 kWh | 831 kWh | £675 | £83 | £758 | £15,138 | 20.0 yrs | £18 |
| 5 kW | 4155 kWh | 3117 kWh | 1039 kWh | £843 | £104 | £947 | £17,173 | 18.1 yrs | £1,772 |
| 6 kW | 4986 kWh | 3740 kWh | 1247 kWh | £1,012 | £125 | £1,137 | £19,207 | 16.9 yrs | £3,526 |
| 7 kW | 5818 kWh | 4363 kWh | 1454 kWh | £1,181 | £145 | £1,326 | £21,242 | 16.0 yrs | £5,281 |
| 8 kW | 6649 kWh | 4986 kWh | 1662 kWh | £1,349 | £166 | £1,516 | £23,276 | 15.4 yrs | £7,035 |
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: £961, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 20.4 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1662 kWh | 1280 kWh | 382 kWh | £346 | £38 | £385 | £13,519 | 35.2 yrs | £-5,828 |
| 3 kW | 2493 kWh | 1920 kWh | 573 kWh | £519 | £57 | £577 | £15,554 | 27.0 yrs | £-4,017 |
| 4 kW | 3324 kWh | 2560 kWh | 765 kWh | £693 | £76 | £769 | £17,588 | 22.9 yrs | £-2,206 |
| 5 kW | 4155 kWh | 3200 kWh | 956 kWh | £866 | £96 | £961 | £19,623 | 20.4 yrs | £-395 |
| 6 kW | 4986 kWh | 3840 kWh | 1147 kWh | £1,039 | £115 | £1,154 | £21,657 | 18.8 yrs | £1,417 |
| 7 kW | 5818 kWh | 4480 kWh | 1338 kWh | £1,212 | £134 | £1,346 | £23,692 | 17.6 yrs | £3,228 |
| 8 kW | 6649 kWh | 5119 kWh | 1529 kWh | £1,385 | £153 | £1,538 | £25,726 | 16.7 yrs | £5,039 |
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.