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Solar panel cost in Forest of Dean (GL17)

See realistic solar installation costs, savings and payback for GL17 (Forest of Dean) 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
10.3 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£8,139
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£787
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£11,543
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 Midlands, the current unit rate is 25.33p/kWh with a 59.71p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 976 kWh/kW — 34 above the regional median (942).

Read the full story

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 976 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 25.3p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.

Unit rate
25.3p/kWh
Standing charge
59.7p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
976 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: £787, Upfront: £8,139, Break-even: 10.3 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1952 kWh 781 kWh 1171 kWh £198 £117 £315 £3,256 10.3 yrs £3,043
3 kW 2928 kWh 1171 kWh 1757 kWh £297 £176 £472 £4,883 10.3 yrs £4,564
4 kW 3904 kWh 1562 kWh 2342 kWh £396 £234 £630 £6,511 10.3 yrs £6,085
5 kW 4880 kWh 1952 kWh 2928 kWh £494 £293 £787 £8,139 10.3 yrs £7,607
6 kW 5856 kWh 2342 kWh 3514 kWh £593 £351 £945 £9,767 10.3 yrs £9,128
7 kW 6832 kWh 2733 kWh 4099 kWh £692 £410 £1,102 £11,394 10.3 yrs £10,649
8 kW 7808 kWh 3123 kWh 4685 kWh £791 £468 £1,260 £13,022 10.3 yrs £12,171

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: £937, Upfront: £10,239, Break-even: 10.9 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1952 kWh 1171 kWh 781 kWh £297 £78 £375 £5,356 14.3 yrs £2,140
3 kW 2928 kWh 1757 kWh 1171 kWh £445 £117 £562 £6,983 12.4 yrs £4,260
4 kW 3904 kWh 2342 kWh 1562 kWh £593 £156 £750 £8,611 11.5 yrs £6,379
5 kW 4880 kWh 2928 kWh 1952 kWh £742 £195 £937 £10,239 10.9 yrs £8,499
6 kW 5856 kWh 3514 kWh 2342 kWh £890 £234 £1,124 £11,867 10.6 yrs £10,619
7 kW 6832 kWh 4099 kWh 2733 kWh £1,038 £273 £1,312 £13,494 10.3 yrs £12,739
8 kW 7808 kWh 4685 kWh 3123 kWh £1,187 £312 £1,499 £15,122 10.1 yrs £14,859

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: £1,012, Upfront: £11,639, Break-even: 11.5 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1952 kWh 1366 kWh 586 kWh £346 £59 £405 £6,756 16.7 yrs £1,338
3 kW 2928 kWh 2050 kWh 878 kWh £519 £88 £607 £8,383 13.8 yrs £3,757
4 kW 3904 kWh 2733 kWh 1171 kWh £692 £117 £809 £10,011 12.4 yrs £6,176
5 kW 4880 kWh 3416 kWh 1464 kWh £865 £146 £1,012 £11,639 11.5 yrs £8,595
6 kW 5856 kWh 4099 kWh 1757 kWh £1,038 £176 £1,214 £13,267 10.9 yrs £11,015
7 kW 6832 kWh 4783 kWh 2050 kWh £1,211 £205 £1,416 £14,894 10.5 yrs £13,434
8 kW 7808 kWh 5466 kWh 2342 kWh £1,384 £234 £1,619 £16,522 10.2 yrs £15,853

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: £1,034, Upfront: £13,389, Break-even: 12.9 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1952 kWh 1425 kWh 527 kWh £361 £53 £414 £8,506 20.6 yrs £-232
3 kW 2928 kWh 2138 kWh 791 kWh £541 £79 £620 £10,133 16.3 yrs £2,277
4 kW 3904 kWh 2850 kWh 1054 kWh £722 £105 £827 £11,761 14.2 yrs £4,785
5 kW 4880 kWh 3563 kWh 1318 kWh £902 £132 £1,034 £13,389 12.9 yrs £7,294
6 kW 5856 kWh 4275 kWh 1581 kWh £1,083 £158 £1,241 £15,017 12.1 yrs £9,803
7 kW 6832 kWh 4988 kWh 1845 kWh £1,263 £184 £1,448 £16,644 11.5 yrs £12,312
8 kW 7808 kWh 5700 kWh 2108 kWh £1,444 £211 £1,655 £18,272 11.0 yrs £14,821

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: £1,049, Upfront: £15,139, Break-even: 14.4 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1952 kWh 1464 kWh 488 kWh £371 £49 £420 £10,256 24.4 yrs £-1,863
3 kW 2928 kWh 2196 kWh 732 kWh £556 £73 £629 £11,883 18.9 yrs £706
4 kW 3904 kWh 2928 kWh 976 kWh £742 £98 £839 £13,511 16.1 yrs £3,275
5 kW 4880 kWh 3660 kWh 1220 kWh £927 £122 £1,049 £15,139 14.4 yrs £5,844
6 kW 5856 kWh 4392 kWh 1464 kWh £1,113 £146 £1,259 £16,767 13.3 yrs £8,412
7 kW 6832 kWh 5124 kWh 1708 kWh £1,298 £171 £1,469 £18,394 12.5 yrs £10,981
8 kW 7808 kWh 5856 kWh 1952 kWh £1,483 £195 £1,679 £20,022 11.9 yrs £13,550

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: £1,064, Upfront: £17,589, 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 1952 kWh 1503 kWh 449 kWh £381 £45 £426 £12,706 29.9 yrs £-4,193
3 kW 2928 kWh 2255 kWh 673 kWh £571 £67 £638 £14,333 22.5 yrs £-1,564
4 kW 3904 kWh 3006 kWh 898 kWh £761 £90 £851 £15,961 18.7 yrs £1,064
5 kW 4880 kWh 3758 kWh 1122 kWh £952 £112 £1,064 £17,589 16.5 yrs £3,693
6 kW 5856 kWh 4509 kWh 1347 kWh £1,142 £135 £1,277 £19,217 15.0 yrs £6,321
7 kW 6832 kWh 5261 kWh 1571 kWh £1,333 £157 £1,490 £20,844 14.0 yrs £8,950
8 kW 7808 kWh 6012 kWh 1796 kWh £1,523 £180 £1,703 £22,472 13.2 yrs £11,579

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 Forest of Dean

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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Understand DNO, G98 and G99 export limits

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Insights for GL17

Figures below are tailored to GL17 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #595 of 2182
5.5 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~12 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #1365 of 2996
10.3 years (UK avg 10.8 years)
~£787 /yr • £8,139 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #1830 of 2996
27.7% (UK avg 26.6%) drag on savings
£218 fixed • ~£787 /yr value
Aspect Penalty View ranking →
East −20.5% West −21.5%
Typical output loss versus a south-facing roof (lower is better)

Seasonal solar output in GL17

Monthly generation per kilowatt of solar panels

kWh 36 Jan 52 Feb 83 Mar 111 Apr 121 May 119 Jun 120 Jul 107 Aug 90 Sep 63 Oct 42 Nov 29 Dec
Best month Worst month Winter (Dec–Feb) Other months

Winter output: 48.2% 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 39 kWh per month; the average month produces around 81 kWh. So a typical 4 kW home system would generate roughly 157 kWh in winter, or 325 kWh in an average month.

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
25.33p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
59.71p/day
Local Sunshine
976kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~976 kWh per year. A typical home uses ~2,700 kWh per year.
Typical System Size
5.0kW
For houses & bungalows in this area

Local Property Data

Property Types

Houses: 77% • Flats: 4% • Bungalows: 18% Based on 2,756 properties

Coverage

Forest of Dean (99%)|Herefordshire, County of (1%)

Areas Covered

Mitcheldean, Ruardean & Drybrook, Lydbrook, Longhope & Huntley, Cinderford East, Westbury-on-Severn, Newent & Taynton, Penyard + 3 more

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 Midlands

GL14 (Forest of Dean)
≈4.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~977 kWh/kWp · +0% vs GL17
HR9 (Herefordshire, County of)
≈8.3 km away
Local sunshine: ~965 kWh/kWp · -1% vs GL17
GL18 (Forest of Dean)
≈10.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~984 kWh/kWp · +1% vs GL17
GL16 (Forest of Dean)
≈11.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~947 kWh/kWp · -3% vs GL17
GL15 (Forest of Dean)
≈14.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~980 kWh/kWp · +0% vs GL17
GL2 (Gloucester)
≈15.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~969 kWh/kWp · -1% vs GL17

Similar sunshine across the UK

LL69 (Isle of Anglesey)
~976 kWh/kWp · +0% vs GL17
LN6 (Lincoln)
~976 kWh/kWp · +0% vs GL17
EX22 (Torridge)
~976 kWh/kWp · -0% vs GL17