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Postcode solar briefing

Solar panel cost in Stroud (GL5)

See realistic solar installation costs, savings and payback for GL5 (Stroud) using official UK data. Start with the local verdict, then adjust the calculator for your roof, usage and export assumptions.

Local model Calculator unchanged Quote assumptions checked
Local solar briefing

Solar in GL5: roof size may be the main upside, so compare proposed system sizes carefully.

This is a modelled local view, not a promise of savings. Use it as a quick sense-check before comparing installer quotes for GL5.

Typical system
5.0 kW
starting point
Annual benefit
£787
before battery costs
Payback estimate
10.3 years
panel-only baseline
Postcode verdict
Roof-size upside
local model
Local context

Why GL5 differs

South-facing yield is about 3.6% above the Midlands median.

The starting system size is close to the regional typical size at 5.0 kW.

Local housing mix looks suitable for a postcode-level estimate, but your actual roof still matters more than the area average.

Battery payback depends heavily on evening use, export tariff and whether the installer has assumed optimistic self-consumption.

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
£11,548
After paying itself off, you're this much ahead

Ready to Get Started?

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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.

Before you sign

What to challenge in solar quotes for GL5

Use the calculator above as a baseline, then ask installers to explain where their quote differs from the local assumptions.

If the proposed system is much larger than 5.0 kW, ask why it fits your roof and usage.

Compare payback with and without a battery before accepting a bundled quote.

Check which Smart Export Guarantee tariff is assumed. The calculator baseline uses 10p/kWh.

Confirm who handles MCS certification and DNO/G98/G99 paperwork before comparing finance or warranties.

Compare quotes Check MCS DNO, G98 and G99
New quote check

Want a quote sanity check for GL5?

Share the first part of your postcode and a few basics. We’ll help you check whether system size, battery, export and paperwork assumptions look sensible before you commit to installer conversations.

This is a practical sanity-check request, not an instant quote promise. The Blue Ape quote route above remains available if you already want installer introductions.

Request a quote sanity check →

Insights for GL5

Figures below are tailored to GL5 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #1255 of 2182
4.9 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~10 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #1369 of 2996
10.3 years (UK avg 10.8 years)
~£787 /yr • £8,139 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #1832 of 2996
27.7% (UK avg 26.6%) drag on savings
£218 fixed • ~£787 /yr value
Aspect Penalty View ranking →
East −20.1% West −20.2%
Typical output loss versus a south-facing roof (lower is better)
Compare areas

Compare GL5 with nearby and similar areas

Nearby postcode areas in Midlands

GL6 (Stroud)
≈1.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~981 kWh/kWp · +0% vs GL5
GL10 (Stroud)
≈4.2 km away
Local sunshine: ~976 kWh/kWp · +0% vs GL5
GL4 (Gloucester)
≈11.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~950 kWh/kWp · -3% vs GL5
GL2 (Gloucester)
≈11.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~969 kWh/kWp · -1% vs GL5
GL11 (Stroud)
≈11.2 km away
Local sunshine: ~959 kWh/kWp · -2% vs GL5
GL3 (Tewkesbury)
≈12.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~969 kWh/kWp · -1% vs GL5

Similar solar-yield areas

LN6 (Lincoln)
~976 kWh/kWp · -0% vs GL5
HU17 (East Riding of Yorkshire)
~976 kWh/kWp · +0% vs GL5
LL69 (Isle of Anglesey)
~976 kWh/kWp · -0% vs GL5

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 1953 kWh 781 kWh 1172 kWh £198 £117 £315 £3,256 10.3 yrs £3,044
3 kW 2929 kWh 1172 kWh 1757 kWh £297 £176 £472 £4,883 10.3 yrs £4,567
4 kW 3905 kWh 1562 kWh 2343 kWh £396 £234 £630 £6,511 10.3 yrs £6,089
5 kW 4882 kWh 1953 kWh 2929 kWh £495 £293 £787 £8,139 10.3 yrs £7,611
6 kW 5858 kWh 2343 kWh 3515 kWh £594 £351 £945 £9,767 10.3 yrs £9,133
7 kW 6834 kWh 2734 kWh 4100 kWh £692 £410 £1,102 £11,394 10.3 yrs £10,655
8 kW 7810 kWh 3124 kWh 4686 kWh £791 £469 £1,260 £13,022 10.3 yrs £12,177

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 1953 kWh 1172 kWh 781 kWh £297 £78 £375 £5,356 14.3 yrs £2,142
3 kW 2929 kWh 1757 kWh 1172 kWh £445 £117 £562 £6,983 12.4 yrs £4,263
4 kW 3905 kWh 2343 kWh 1562 kWh £594 £156 £750 £8,611 11.5 yrs £6,383
5 kW 4882 kWh 2929 kWh 1953 kWh £742 £195 £937 £10,239 10.9 yrs £8,504
6 kW 5858 kWh 3515 kWh 2343 kWh £890 £234 £1,125 £11,867 10.6 yrs £10,625
7 kW 6834 kWh 4100 kWh 2734 kWh £1,039 £273 £1,312 £13,494 10.3 yrs £12,746
8 kW 7810 kWh 4686 kWh 3124 kWh £1,187 £312 £1,499 £15,122 10.1 yrs £14,867

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 1953 kWh 1367 kWh 586 kWh £346 £59 £405 £6,756 16.7 yrs £1,340
3 kW 2929 kWh 2050 kWh 879 kWh £519 £88 £607 £8,383 13.8 yrs £3,761
4 kW 3905 kWh 2734 kWh 1172 kWh £692 £117 £810 £10,011 12.4 yrs £6,181
5 kW 4882 kWh 3417 kWh 1464 kWh £866 £146 £1,012 £11,639 11.5 yrs £8,601
6 kW 5858 kWh 4100 kWh 1757 kWh £1,039 £176 £1,214 £13,267 10.9 yrs £11,021
7 kW 6834 kWh 4784 kWh 2050 kWh £1,212 £205 £1,417 £14,894 10.5 yrs £13,441
8 kW 7810 kWh 5467 kWh 2343 kWh £1,385 £234 £1,619 £16,522 10.2 yrs £15,861

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 1953 kWh 1425 kWh 527 kWh £361 £53 £414 £8,506 20.6 yrs £-230
3 kW 2929 kWh 2138 kWh 791 kWh £542 £79 £621 £10,133 16.3 yrs £2,280
4 kW 3905 kWh 2851 kWh 1054 kWh £722 £105 £828 £11,761 14.2 yrs £4,790
5 kW 4882 kWh 3563 kWh 1318 kWh £903 £132 £1,034 £13,389 12.9 yrs £7,300
6 kW 5858 kWh 4276 kWh 1582 kWh £1,083 £158 £1,241 £15,017 12.1 yrs £9,810
7 kW 6834 kWh 4989 kWh 1845 kWh £1,264 £185 £1,448 £16,644 11.5 yrs £12,320
8 kW 7810 kWh 5702 kWh 2109 kWh £1,444 £211 £1,655 £18,272 11.0 yrs £14,830

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 1953 kWh 1464 kWh 488 kWh £371 £49 £420 £10,256 24.4 yrs £-1,860
3 kW 2929 kWh 2197 kWh 732 kWh £556 £73 £630 £11,883 18.9 yrs £710
4 kW 3905 kWh 2929 kWh 976 kWh £742 £98 £840 £13,511 16.1 yrs £3,279
5 kW 4882 kWh 3661 kWh 1220 kWh £927 £122 £1,049 £15,139 14.4 yrs £5,849
6 kW 5858 kWh 4393 kWh 1464 kWh £1,113 £146 £1,259 £16,767 13.3 yrs £8,419
7 kW 6834 kWh 5126 kWh 1709 kWh £1,298 £171 £1,469 £18,394 12.5 yrs £10,989
8 kW 7810 kWh 5858 kWh 1953 kWh £1,484 £195 £1,679 £20,022 11.9 yrs £13,559

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 1953 kWh 1504 kWh 449 kWh £381 £45 £426 £12,706 29.8 yrs £-4,191
3 kW 2929 kWh 2255 kWh 674 kWh £571 £67 £639 £14,333 22.4 yrs £-1,561
4 kW 3905 kWh 3007 kWh 898 kWh £762 £90 £851 £15,961 18.7 yrs £1,069
5 kW 4882 kWh 3759 kWh 1123 kWh £952 £112 £1,064 £17,589 16.5 yrs £3,699
6 kW 5858 kWh 4511 kWh 1347 kWh £1,143 £135 £1,277 £19,217 15.0 yrs £6,328
7 kW 6834 kWh 5262 kWh 1572 kWh £1,333 £157 £1,490 £20,844 14.0 yrs £8,958
8 kW 7810 kWh 6014 kWh 1796 kWh £1,523 £180 £1,703 £22,472 13.2 yrs £11,588

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.

Seasonal solar output in GL5

Monthly generation per kilowatt of solar panels

kWh 37 Jan 51 Feb 84 Mar 111 Apr 119 May 118 Jun 120 Jul 107 Aug 91 Sep 64 Oct 43 Nov 32 Dec
Best month Worst month Winter (Dec–Feb) Other months

Winter output: 49.0% 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 40 kWh per month; the average month produces around 81 kWh. So a typical 4 kW home system would generate roughly 159 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: 67% • Flats: 22% • Bungalows: 9% Based on 8,045 properties

Coverage

Stroud (100%)

Areas Covered

Cainscross, Stroud Central, Rodborough, Stroud Uplands, Thrupp, Stroud Valley, Amberley and Woodchester, Stroud Trinity + 4 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.