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 997 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 26.9p 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: £836, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 12.2 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1994 kWh | 798 kWh | 1197 kWh | £215 | £120 | £334 | £4,069 | 12.2 yrs | £2,619 |
| 3 kW | 2991 kWh | 1197 kWh | 1795 kWh | £322 | £179 | £502 | £6,104 | 12.2 yrs | £3,928 |
| 4 kW | 3988 kWh | 1595 kWh | 2393 kWh | £429 | £239 | £669 | £8,138 | 12.2 yrs | £5,237 |
| 5 kW | 4985 kWh | 1994 kWh | 2991 kWh | £537 | £299 | £836 | £10,173 | 12.2 yrs | £6,547 |
| 6 kW | 5983 kWh | 2393 kWh | 3590 kWh | £644 | £359 | £1,003 | £12,207 | 12.2 yrs | £7,856 |
| 7 kW | 6980 kWh | 2792 kWh | 4188 kWh | £752 | £419 | £1,170 | £14,242 | 12.2 yrs | £9,165 |
| 8 kW | 7977 kWh | 3191 kWh | 4786 kWh | £859 | £479 | £1,338 | £16,276 | 12.2 yrs | £10,475 |
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: £1,005, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 12.2 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1994 kWh | 1197 kWh | 798 kWh | £322 | £80 | £402 | £6,169 | 15.4 yrs | £1,868 |
| 3 kW | 2991 kWh | 1795 kWh | 1197 kWh | £483 | £120 | £603 | £8,204 | 13.6 yrs | £3,852 |
| 4 kW | 3988 kWh | 2393 kWh | 1595 kWh | £644 | £160 | £804 | £10,238 | 12.7 yrs | £5,837 |
| 5 kW | 4985 kWh | 2991 kWh | 1994 kWh | £805 | £199 | £1,005 | £12,273 | 12.2 yrs | £7,821 |
| 6 kW | 5983 kWh | 3590 kWh | 2393 kWh | £966 | £239 | £1,206 | £14,307 | 11.9 yrs | £9,805 |
| 7 kW | 6980 kWh | 4188 kWh | 2792 kWh | £1,127 | £279 | £1,407 | £16,342 | 11.6 yrs | £11,789 |
| 8 kW | 7977 kWh | 4786 kWh | 3191 kWh | £1,288 | £319 | £1,607 | £18,376 | 11.4 yrs | £13,773 |
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: £1,089, Upfront: £13,673, Break-even: 12.6 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1994 kWh | 1396 kWh | 598 kWh | £376 | £60 | £436 | £7,569 | 17.4 yrs | £1,143 |
| 3 kW | 2991 kWh | 2094 kWh | 897 kWh | £564 | £90 | £653 | £9,604 | 14.7 yrs | £3,465 |
| 4 kW | 3988 kWh | 2792 kWh | 1197 kWh | £752 | £120 | £871 | £11,638 | 13.4 yrs | £5,786 |
| 5 kW | 4985 kWh | 3490 kWh | 1496 kWh | £939 | £150 | £1,089 | £13,673 | 12.6 yrs | £8,108 |
| 6 kW | 5983 kWh | 4188 kWh | 1795 kWh | £1,127 | £179 | £1,307 | £15,707 | 12.0 yrs | £10,429 |
| 7 kW | 6980 kWh | 4886 kWh | 2094 kWh | £1,315 | £209 | £1,525 | £17,742 | 11.6 yrs | £12,751 |
| 8 kW | 7977 kWh | 5584 kWh | 2393 kWh | £1,503 | £239 | £1,742 | £19,776 | 11.3 yrs | £15,073 |
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: £1,114, 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 | 1994 kWh | 1456 kWh | 538 kWh | £392 | £54 | £446 | £9,319 | 20.9 yrs | £-404 |
| 3 kW | 2991 kWh | 2184 kWh | 808 kWh | £588 | £81 | £669 | £11,354 | 17.0 yrs | £2,018 |
| 4 kW | 3988 kWh | 2912 kWh | 1077 kWh | £784 | £108 | £891 | £13,388 | 15.0 yrs | £4,441 |
| 5 kW | 4985 kWh | 3639 kWh | 1346 kWh | £980 | £135 | £1,114 | £15,423 | 13.8 yrs | £6,864 |
| 6 kW | 5983 kWh | 4367 kWh | 1615 kWh | £1,176 | £162 | £1,337 | £17,457 | 13.1 yrs | £9,287 |
| 7 kW | 6980 kWh | 5095 kWh | 1885 kWh | £1,372 | £188 | £1,560 | £19,492 | 12.5 yrs | £11,710 |
| 8 kW | 7977 kWh | 5823 kWh | 2154 kWh | £1,568 | £215 | £1,783 | £21,526 | 12.1 yrs | £14,132 |
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: £1,131, Upfront: £17,173, 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 | 1994 kWh | 1496 kWh | 499 kWh | £403 | £50 | £452 | £11,069 | 24.5 yrs | £-2,019 |
| 3 kW | 2991 kWh | 2243 kWh | 748 kWh | £604 | £75 | £679 | £13,104 | 19.3 yrs | £471 |
| 4 kW | 3988 kWh | 2991 kWh | 997 kWh | £805 | £100 | £905 | £15,138 | 16.7 yrs | £2,961 |
| 5 kW | 4985 kWh | 3739 kWh | 1246 kWh | £1,007 | £125 | £1,131 | £17,173 | 15.2 yrs | £5,451 |
| 6 kW | 5983 kWh | 4487 kWh | 1496 kWh | £1,208 | £150 | £1,357 | £19,207 | 14.1 yrs | £7,942 |
| 7 kW | 6980 kWh | 5235 kWh | 1745 kWh | £1,409 | £174 | £1,584 | £21,242 | 13.4 yrs | £10,432 |
| 8 kW | 7977 kWh | 5983 kWh | 1994 kWh | £1,610 | £199 | £1,810 | £23,276 | 12.9 yrs | £12,922 |
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: £1,148, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 17.1 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1994 kWh | 1536 kWh | 459 kWh | £413 | £46 | £459 | £13,519 | 29.4 yrs | £-4,334 |
| 3 kW | 2991 kWh | 2303 kWh | 688 kWh | £620 | £69 | £689 | £15,554 | 22.6 yrs | £-1,777 |
| 4 kW | 3988 kWh | 3071 kWh | 917 kWh | £827 | £92 | £918 | £17,588 | 19.1 yrs | £781 |
| 5 kW | 4985 kWh | 3839 kWh | 1147 kWh | £1,033 | £115 | £1,148 | £19,623 | 17.1 yrs | £3,339 |
| 6 kW | 5983 kWh | 4607 kWh | 1376 kWh | £1,240 | £138 | £1,378 | £21,657 | 15.7 yrs | £5,897 |
| 7 kW | 6980 kWh | 5374 kWh | 1605 kWh | £1,447 | £161 | £1,607 | £23,692 | 14.7 yrs | £8,454 |
| 8 kW | 7977 kWh | 6142 kWh | 1835 kWh | £1,653 | £183 | £1,837 | £25,726 | 14.0 yrs | £11,012 |
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.