Solar explained to clever people by people who are not trying to be clever
Home Regions
Insights
Big Roof Britain Solar Payback Index Standing Charge Drag

Solar Panels in IV25 (Highland)

See if solar pays off for you in Highland — 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
14.7 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£10,173
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£692
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£7,119
After paying itself off, you're this much ahead

Ready to Get Started?

Get your free quote from Blue Ape Renewables. They'll connect you with MCS-certified installers in your area and handle all the paperwork.

Get Solar Quote →
4.8★ Trustpilot • Octopus Energy trusted partner • MCS certified • No obligation
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 Northern Scotland, the current unit rate is 27.06p/kWh with a 61.00p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 822 kWh/kW — 7 above the regional median (815).

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 822 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.

Unit rate
27.1p/kWh
Standing charge
61.0p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
822 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: £692, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 14.7 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1644 kWh 658 kWh 987 kWh £178 £99 £277 £4,069 14.7 yrs £1,464
3 kW 2467 kWh 987 kWh 1480 kWh £267 £148 £415 £6,104 14.7 yrs £2,196
4 kW 3289 kWh 1316 kWh 1973 kWh £356 £197 £553 £8,138 14.7 yrs £2,929
5 kW 4111 kWh 1644 kWh 2467 kWh £445 £247 £692 £10,173 14.7 yrs £3,661
6 kW 4933 kWh 1973 kWh 2960 kWh £534 £296 £830 £12,207 14.7 yrs £4,393
7 kW 5756 kWh 2302 kWh 3453 kWh £623 £345 £968 £14,242 14.7 yrs £5,125
8 kW 6578 kWh 2631 kWh 3947 kWh £712 £395 £1,107 £16,276 14.7 yrs £5,857

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: £832, Upfront: £12,273, 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 1644 kWh 987 kWh 658 kWh £267 £66 £333 £6,169 18.5 yrs £487
3 kW 2467 kWh 1480 kWh 987 kWh £400 £99 £499 £8,204 16.4 yrs £1,780
4 kW 3289 kWh 1973 kWh 1316 kWh £534 £132 £666 £10,238 15.4 yrs £3,073
5 kW 4111 kWh 2467 kWh 1644 kWh £667 £164 £832 £12,273 14.8 yrs £4,366
6 kW 4933 kWh 2960 kWh 1973 kWh £801 £197 £998 £14,307 14.3 yrs £5,660
7 kW 5756 kWh 3453 kWh 2302 kWh £934 £230 £1,165 £16,342 14.0 yrs £6,953
8 kW 6578 kWh 3947 kWh 2631 kWh £1,068 £263 £1,331 £18,376 13.8 yrs £8,246

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: £902, Upfront: £13,673, Break-even: 15.2 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1644 kWh 1151 kWh 493 kWh £311 £49 £361 £7,569 21.0 yrs £-352
3 kW 2467 kWh 1727 kWh 740 kWh £467 £74 £541 £9,604 17.7 yrs £1,221
4 kW 3289 kWh 2302 kWh 987 kWh £623 £99 £722 £11,638 16.1 yrs £2,795
5 kW 4111 kWh 2878 kWh 1233 kWh £779 £123 £902 £13,673 15.2 yrs £4,369
6 kW 4933 kWh 3453 kWh 1480 kWh £934 £148 £1,082 £15,707 14.5 yrs £5,943
7 kW 5756 kWh 4029 kWh 1727 kWh £1,090 £173 £1,263 £17,742 14.0 yrs £7,517
8 kW 6578 kWh 4605 kWh 1973 kWh £1,246 £197 £1,443 £19,776 13.7 yrs £9,090

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: £923, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 16.7 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1644 kWh 1200 kWh 444 kWh £325 £44 £369 £9,319 25.2 yrs £-1,934
3 kW 2467 kWh 1801 kWh 666 kWh £487 £67 £554 £11,354 20.5 yrs £-276
4 kW 3289 kWh 2401 kWh 888 kWh £650 £89 £738 £13,388 18.1 yrs £1,382
5 kW 4111 kWh 3001 kWh 1110 kWh £812 £111 £923 £15,423 16.7 yrs £3,040
6 kW 4933 kWh 3601 kWh 1332 kWh £975 £133 £1,108 £17,457 15.8 yrs £4,698
7 kW 5756 kWh 4202 kWh 1554 kWh £1,137 £155 £1,292 £19,492 15.1 yrs £6,356
8 kW 6578 kWh 4802 kWh 1776 kWh £1,299 £178 £1,477 £21,526 14.6 yrs £8,014

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: £937, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 18.3 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1644 kWh 1233 kWh 411 kWh £334 £41 £375 £11,069 29.5 yrs £-3,572
3 kW 2467 kWh 1850 kWh 617 kWh £501 £62 £562 £13,104 23.3 yrs £-1,858
4 kW 3289 kWh 2467 kWh 822 kWh £667 £82 £750 £15,138 20.2 yrs £-144
5 kW 4111 kWh 3083 kWh 1028 kWh £834 £103 £937 £17,173 18.3 yrs £1,570
6 kW 4933 kWh 3700 kWh 1233 kWh £1,001 £123 £1,125 £19,207 17.1 yrs £3,284
7 kW 5756 kWh 4317 kWh 1439 kWh £1,168 £144 £1,312 £21,242 16.2 yrs £4,999
8 kW 6578 kWh 4933 kWh 1644 kWh £1,335 £164 £1,499 £23,276 15.5 yrs £6,713

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: £951, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 20.6 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1644 kWh 1266 kWh 378 kWh £343 £38 £380 £13,519 35.5 yrs £-5,910
3 kW 2467 kWh 1899 kWh 567 kWh £514 £57 £571 £15,554 27.3 yrs £-4,139
4 kW 3289 kWh 2532 kWh 756 kWh £685 £76 £761 £17,588 23.1 yrs £-2,369
5 kW 4111 kWh 3166 kWh 946 kWh £857 £95 £951 £19,623 20.6 yrs £-599
6 kW 4933 kWh 3799 kWh 1135 kWh £1,028 £113 £1,141 £21,657 19.0 yrs £1,171
7 kW 5756 kWh 4432 kWh 1324 kWh £1,199 £132 £1,332 £23,692 17.8 yrs £2,941
8 kW 6578 kWh 5065 kWh 1513 kWh £1,371 £151 £1,522 £25,726 16.9 yrs £4,712

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 IV25

Figures below are tailored to IV25 — click through for full league tables.

Solar Payback Index Rank #2730 of 2997
12.8 years (UK avg 11.3 years)
~£637 /yr • £8,138 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #2853 of 2997
35.0% (UK avg 21.7%) drag on savings
£223 fixed • ~£637 /yr value

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
27.06p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
61.00p/day
Local Sunshine
822kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~822 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

No EPC data available for this outcode

Coverage

Highland (100%)

Areas Covered

East Sutherland and Edderton

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 Northern Scotland

IV19 (Highland)
≈8.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~860 kWh/kWp · +5% vs IV25
KW10 (Highland)
≈10.9 km away
Local sunshine: ~801 kWh/kWp · -3% vs IV25
IV20 (Highland)
≈13.5 km away
Local sunshine: ~814 kWh/kWp · -1% vs IV25
IV28 (Highland)
≈15.2 km away
Local sunshine: ~802 kWh/kWp · -2% vs IV25
KW9 (Highland)
≈17.8 km away
Local sunshine: ~829 kWh/kWp · +1% vs IV25
IV24 (Highland)
≈18.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~798 kWh/kWp · -3% vs IV25

Similar sunshine across the UK

G65 (North Lanarkshire)
~822 kWh/kWp · +0% vs IV25
OL14 (Calderdale)
~822 kWh/kWp · +0% vs IV25
LL25 (Conwy)
~823 kWh/kWp · +0% vs IV25