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 840 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.
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: £686, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 14.8 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1680 kWh | 672 kWh | 1008 kWh | £174 | £101 | £274 | £4,069 | 14.8 yrs | £1,420 |
| 3 kW | 2520 kWh | 1008 kWh | 1512 kWh | £260 | £151 | £412 | £6,104 | 14.8 yrs | £2,129 |
| 4 kW | 3360 kWh | 1344 kWh | 2016 kWh | £347 | £202 | £549 | £8,138 | 14.8 yrs | £2,839 |
| 5 kW | 4200 kWh | 1680 kWh | 2520 kWh | £434 | £252 | £686 | £10,173 | 14.8 yrs | £3,549 |
| 6 kW | 5040 kWh | 2016 kWh | 3024 kWh | £521 | £302 | £823 | £12,207 | 14.8 yrs | £4,259 |
| 7 kW | 5880 kWh | 2352 kWh | 3528 kWh | £608 | £353 | £961 | £14,242 | 14.8 yrs | £4,969 |
| 8 kW | 6720 kWh | 2688 kWh | 4032 kWh | £695 | £403 | £1,098 | £16,276 | 14.8 yrs | £5,678 |
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: £819, Upfront: £12,273, 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 | 1680 kWh | 1008 kWh | 672 kWh | £260 | £67 | £328 | £6,169 | 18.8 yrs | £384 |
| 3 kW | 2520 kWh | 1512 kWh | 1008 kWh | £391 | £101 | £491 | £8,204 | 16.7 yrs | £1,626 |
| 4 kW | 3360 kWh | 2016 kWh | 1344 kWh | £521 | £134 | £655 | £10,238 | 15.6 yrs | £2,868 |
| 5 kW | 4200 kWh | 2520 kWh | 1680 kWh | £651 | £168 | £819 | £12,273 | 15.0 yrs | £4,110 |
| 6 kW | 5040 kWh | 3024 kWh | 2016 kWh | £781 | £202 | £983 | £14,307 | 14.6 yrs | £5,352 |
| 7 kW | 5880 kWh | 3528 kWh | 2352 kWh | £912 | £235 | £1,147 | £16,342 | 14.2 yrs | £6,594 |
| 8 kW | 6720 kWh | 4032 kWh | 2688 kWh | £1,042 | £269 | £1,311 | £18,376 | 14.0 yrs | £7,836 |
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: £886, Upfront: £13,673, Break-even: 15.4 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1680 kWh | 1176 kWh | 504 kWh | £304 | £50 | £354 | £7,569 | 21.4 yrs | £-484 |
| 3 kW | 2520 kWh | 1764 kWh | 756 kWh | £456 | £76 | £531 | £9,604 | 18.1 yrs | £1,024 |
| 4 kW | 3360 kWh | 2352 kWh | 1008 kWh | £608 | £101 | £709 | £11,638 | 16.4 yrs | £2,532 |
| 5 kW | 4200 kWh | 2940 kWh | 1260 kWh | £760 | £126 | £886 | £13,673 | 15.4 yrs | £4,041 |
| 6 kW | 5040 kWh | 3528 kWh | 1512 kWh | £912 | £151 | £1,063 | £15,707 | 14.8 yrs | £5,549 |
| 7 kW | 5880 kWh | 4116 kWh | 1764 kWh | £1,064 | £176 | £1,240 | £17,742 | 14.3 yrs | £7,057 |
| 8 kW | 6720 kWh | 4704 kWh | 2016 kWh | £1,215 | £202 | £1,417 | £19,776 | 14.0 yrs | £8,565 |
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: £906, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 17.0 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1680 kWh | 1226 kWh | 454 kWh | £317 | £45 | £362 | £9,319 | 25.7 yrs | £-2,074 |
| 3 kW | 2520 kWh | 1840 kWh | 680 kWh | £475 | £68 | £543 | £11,354 | 20.9 yrs | £-486 |
| 4 kW | 3360 kWh | 2453 kWh | 907 kWh | £634 | £91 | £724 | £13,388 | 18.5 yrs | £1,102 |
| 5 kW | 4200 kWh | 3066 kWh | 1134 kWh | £792 | £113 | £906 | £15,423 | 17.0 yrs | £2,690 |
| 6 kW | 5040 kWh | 3679 kWh | 1361 kWh | £951 | £136 | £1,087 | £17,457 | 16.1 yrs | £4,278 |
| 7 kW | 5880 kWh | 4292 kWh | 1588 kWh | £1,109 | £159 | £1,268 | £19,492 | 15.4 yrs | £5,866 |
| 8 kW | 6720 kWh | 4905 kWh | 1814 kWh | £1,268 | £181 | £1,449 | £21,526 | 14.9 yrs | £7,453 |
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: £919, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 18.7 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1680 kWh | 1260 kWh | 420 kWh | £326 | £42 | £368 | £11,069 | 30.1 yrs | £-3,718 |
| 3 kW | 2520 kWh | 1890 kWh | 630 kWh | £488 | £63 | £551 | £13,104 | 23.8 yrs | £-2,077 |
| 4 kW | 3360 kWh | 2520 kWh | 840 kWh | £651 | £84 | £735 | £15,138 | 20.6 yrs | £-435 |
| 5 kW | 4200 kWh | 3150 kWh | 1050 kWh | £814 | £105 | £919 | £17,173 | 18.7 yrs | £1,206 |
| 6 kW | 5040 kWh | 3780 kWh | 1260 kWh | £977 | £126 | £1,103 | £19,207 | 17.4 yrs | £2,847 |
| 7 kW | 5880 kWh | 4410 kWh | 1470 kWh | £1,139 | £147 | £1,286 | £21,242 | 16.5 yrs | £4,488 |
| 8 kW | 6720 kWh | 5040 kWh | 1680 kWh | £1,302 | £168 | £1,470 | £23,276 | 15.8 yrs | £6,129 |
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: £932, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 21.0 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1680 kWh | 1294 kWh | 386 kWh | £334 | £39 | £373 | £13,519 | 36.3 yrs | £-6,061 |
| 3 kW | 2520 kWh | 1940 kWh | 580 kWh | £501 | £58 | £559 | £15,554 | 27.8 yrs | £-4,367 |
| 4 kW | 3360 kWh | 2587 kWh | 773 kWh | £669 | £77 | £746 | £17,588 | 23.6 yrs | £-2,673 |
| 5 kW | 4200 kWh | 3234 kWh | 966 kWh | £836 | £97 | £932 | £19,623 | 21.0 yrs | £-978 |
| 6 kW | 5040 kWh | 3881 kWh | 1159 kWh | £1,003 | £116 | £1,119 | £21,657 | 19.4 yrs | £716 |
| 7 kW | 5880 kWh | 4527 kWh | 1352 kWh | £1,170 | £135 | £1,305 | £23,692 | 18.2 yrs | £2,411 |
| 8 kW | 6720 kWh | 5174 kWh | 1546 kWh | £1,337 | £155 | £1,492 | £25,726 | 17.2 yrs | £4,105 |
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.