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Big Roof Britain Solar Payback Index Standing Charge Drag

Solar Panels in IP31 (West Suffolk)

See if solar pays off for you in West Suffolk — 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
12.1 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£12,207
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£1,013
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£13,113
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 Eastern, the current unit rate is 26.53p/kWh with a 48.25p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 1016 kWh/kW — 7 above the regional median (1009).

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 1016 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 26.5p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.

Unit rate
26.5p/kWh
Standing charge
48.2p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
1016 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: £844, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 12.1 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2032 kWh 813 kWh 1219 kWh £216 £122 £338 £4,069 12.1 yrs £2,683
3 kW 3048 kWh 1219 kWh 1829 kWh £324 £183 £506 £6,104 12.1 yrs £4,025
4 kW 4065 kWh 1626 kWh 2439 kWh £431 £244 £675 £8,138 12.1 yrs £5,366
5 kW 5081 kWh 2032 kWh 3048 kWh £539 £305 £844 £10,173 12.1 yrs £6,708
6 kW 6097 kWh 2439 kWh 3658 kWh £647 £366 £1,013 £12,207 12.1 yrs £8,049
7 kW 7113 kWh 2845 kWh 4268 kWh £755 £427 £1,182 £14,242 12.1 yrs £9,391
8 kW 8129 kWh 3252 kWh 4878 kWh £863 £488 £1,350 £16,276 12.1 yrs £10,732

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: £1,012, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 12.1 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2032 kWh 1219 kWh 813 kWh £324 £81 £405 £6,169 15.2 yrs £1,927
3 kW 3048 kWh 1829 kWh 1219 kWh £485 £122 £607 £8,204 13.5 yrs £3,940
4 kW 4065 kWh 2439 kWh 1626 kWh £647 £163 £810 £10,238 12.6 yrs £5,954
5 kW 5081 kWh 3048 kWh 2032 kWh £809 £203 £1,012 £12,273 12.1 yrs £7,967
6 kW 6097 kWh 3658 kWh 2439 kWh £971 £244 £1,214 £14,307 11.8 yrs £9,981
7 kW 7113 kWh 4268 kWh 2845 kWh £1,132 £285 £1,417 £16,342 11.5 yrs £11,994
8 kW 8129 kWh 4878 kWh 3252 kWh £1,294 £325 £1,619 £18,376 11.3 yrs £14,007

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: £1,096, Upfront: £13,673, Break-even: 12.5 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2032 kWh 1423 kWh 610 kWh £377 £61 £438 £7,569 17.3 yrs £1,199
3 kW 3048 kWh 2134 kWh 915 kWh £566 £91 £658 £9,604 14.6 yrs £3,548
4 kW 4065 kWh 2845 kWh 1219 kWh £755 £122 £877 £11,638 13.3 yrs £5,897
5 kW 5081 kWh 3557 kWh 1524 kWh £944 £152 £1,096 £13,673 12.5 yrs £8,247
6 kW 6097 kWh 4268 kWh 1829 kWh £1,132 £183 £1,315 £15,707 11.9 yrs £10,596
7 kW 7113 kWh 4979 kWh 2134 kWh £1,321 £213 £1,534 £17,742 11.6 yrs £12,946
8 kW 8129 kWh 5690 kWh 2439 kWh £1,510 £244 £1,754 £19,776 11.3 yrs £15,295

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: £1,121, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 13.8 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2032 kWh 1484 kWh 549 kWh £394 £55 £448 £9,319 20.8 yrs £-350
3 kW 3048 kWh 2225 kWh 823 kWh £590 £82 £673 £11,354 16.9 yrs £2,100
4 kW 4065 kWh 2967 kWh 1097 kWh £787 £110 £897 £13,388 14.9 yrs £4,551
5 kW 5081 kWh 3709 kWh 1372 kWh £984 £137 £1,121 £15,423 13.8 yrs £7,001
6 kW 6097 kWh 4451 kWh 1646 kWh £1,181 £165 £1,345 £17,457 13.0 yrs £9,451
7 kW 7113 kWh 5193 kWh 1921 kWh £1,378 £192 £1,570 £19,492 12.4 yrs £11,901
8 kW 8129 kWh 5934 kWh 2195 kWh £1,574 £219 £1,794 £21,526 12.0 yrs £14,351

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: £1,138, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 15.1 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2032 kWh 1524 kWh 508 kWh £404 £51 £455 £11,069 24.3 yrs £-1,965
3 kW 3048 kWh 2286 kWh 762 kWh £607 £76 £683 £13,104 19.2 yrs £552
4 kW 4065 kWh 3048 kWh 1016 kWh £809 £102 £910 £15,138 16.6 yrs £3,069
5 kW 5081 kWh 3811 kWh 1270 kWh £1,011 £127 £1,138 £17,173 15.1 yrs £5,587
6 kW 6097 kWh 4573 kWh 1524 kWh £1,213 £152 £1,366 £19,207 14.1 yrs £8,104
7 kW 7113 kWh 5335 kWh 1778 kWh £1,415 £178 £1,593 £21,242 13.3 yrs £10,621
8 kW 8129 kWh 6097 kWh 2032 kWh £1,618 £203 £1,821 £23,276 12.8 yrs £13,139

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: £1,155, Upfront: £19,623, 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 2032 kWh 1565 kWh 467 kWh £415 £47 £462 £13,519 29.3 yrs £-4,281
3 kW 3048 kWh 2347 kWh 701 kWh £623 £70 £693 £15,554 22.4 yrs £-1,696
4 kW 4065 kWh 3130 kWh 935 kWh £830 £93 £924 £17,588 19.0 yrs £888
5 kW 5081 kWh 3912 kWh 1169 kWh £1,038 £117 £1,155 £19,623 17.0 yrs £3,473
6 kW 6097 kWh 4695 kWh 1402 kWh £1,245 £140 £1,386 £21,657 15.6 yrs £6,057
7 kW 7113 kWh 5477 kWh 1636 kWh £1,453 £164 £1,617 £23,692 14.7 yrs £8,642
8 kW 8129 kWh 6259 kWh 1870 kWh £1,661 £187 £1,848 £25,726 13.9 yrs £11,226

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 IP31

Figures below are tailored to IP31 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #372 of 2182
5.8 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~12 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #524 of 2997
10.5 years (UK avg 11.3 years)
~£1,164 /yr • £12,207 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #291 of 2997
15.1% (UK avg 21.7%) drag on savings
£176 fixed • ~£1,164 /yr value

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
26.53p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
48.25p/day
Local Sunshine
1016kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~1016 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

Houses: 72% • Flats: 4% • Bungalows: 22% Based on 6,210 properties

Coverage

West Suffolk (64%)|Mid Suffolk (36%)

Areas Covered

Thurston, Walsham-le-Willows, The Fornhams & Great Barton, Pakenham & Troston, Stanton, Ixworth, Bardwell, Abbeygate + 4 more

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 Eastern

IP30 (Mid Suffolk)
≈7.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,022 kWh/kWp · +1% vs IP31
IP32 (West Suffolk)
≈8.3 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,013 kWh/kWp · -0% vs IP31
IP33 (West Suffolk)
≈8.8 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,015 kWh/kWp · -0% vs IP31
IP29 (West Suffolk)
≈14.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,013 kWh/kWp · -0% vs IP31
IP24 (Breckland)
≈15.5 km away
Local sunshine: ~995 kWh/kWp · -2% vs IP31
IP14 (Mid Suffolk)
≈15.5 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,029 kWh/kWp · +1% vs IP31

Similar sunshine across the UK

DA16 (Bexley)
~1,016 kWh/kWp · -0% vs IP31
DA7 (Bexley)
~1,016 kWh/kWp · +0% vs IP31
DA6 (Bexley)
~1,016 kWh/kWp · -0% vs IP31