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 874 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 25.8p 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: £714, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 14.2 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1748 kWh | 699 kWh | 1049 kWh | £181 | £105 | £286 | £4,069 | 14.2 yrs | £1,642 |
| 3 kW | 2622 kWh | 1049 kWh | 1573 kWh | £271 | £157 | £428 | £6,104 | 14.2 yrs | £2,464 |
| 4 kW | 3496 kWh | 1398 kWh | 2098 kWh | £361 | £210 | £571 | £8,138 | 14.2 yrs | £3,285 |
| 5 kW | 4370 kWh | 1748 kWh | 2622 kWh | £452 | £262 | £714 | £10,173 | 14.2 yrs | £4,106 |
| 6 kW | 5244 kWh | 2098 kWh | 3147 kWh | £542 | £315 | £857 | £12,207 | 14.2 yrs | £4,927 |
| 7 kW | 6118 kWh | 2447 kWh | 3671 kWh | £632 | £367 | £1,000 | £14,242 | 14.2 yrs | £5,749 |
| 8 kW | 6992 kWh | 2797 kWh | 4195 kWh | £723 | £420 | £1,142 | £16,276 | 14.2 yrs | £6,570 |
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: £852, Upfront: £12,273, 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 | 1748 kWh | 1049 kWh | 699 kWh | £271 | £70 | £341 | £6,169 | 18.1 yrs | £650 |
| 3 kW | 2622 kWh | 1573 kWh | 1049 kWh | £407 | £105 | £511 | £8,204 | 16.0 yrs | £2,025 |
| 4 kW | 3496 kWh | 2098 kWh | 1398 kWh | £542 | £140 | £682 | £10,238 | 15.0 yrs | £3,400 |
| 5 kW | 4370 kWh | 2622 kWh | 1748 kWh | £678 | £175 | £852 | £12,273 | 14.4 yrs | £4,775 |
| 6 kW | 5244 kWh | 3147 kWh | 2098 kWh | £813 | £210 | £1,023 | £14,307 | 14.0 yrs | £6,150 |
| 7 kW | 6118 kWh | 3671 kWh | 2447 kWh | £949 | £245 | £1,193 | £16,342 | 13.7 yrs | £7,525 |
| 8 kW | 6992 kWh | 4195 kWh | 2797 kWh | £1,084 | £280 | £1,364 | £18,376 | 13.5 yrs | £8,900 |
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: £922, Upfront: £13,673, 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 | 1748 kWh | 1224 kWh | 524 kWh | £316 | £52 | £369 | £7,569 | 20.5 yrs | £-196 |
| 3 kW | 2622 kWh | 1836 kWh | 787 kWh | £474 | £79 | £553 | £9,604 | 17.4 yrs | £1,456 |
| 4 kW | 3496 kWh | 2447 kWh | 1049 kWh | £632 | £105 | £737 | £11,638 | 15.8 yrs | £3,108 |
| 5 kW | 4370 kWh | 3059 kWh | 1311 kWh | £790 | £131 | £922 | £13,673 | 14.8 yrs | £4,760 |
| 6 kW | 5244 kWh | 3671 kWh | 1573 kWh | £949 | £157 | £1,106 | £15,707 | 14.2 yrs | £6,412 |
| 7 kW | 6118 kWh | 4283 kWh | 1836 kWh | £1,107 | £184 | £1,290 | £17,742 | 13.8 yrs | £8,063 |
| 8 kW | 6992 kWh | 4895 kWh | 2098 kWh | £1,265 | £210 | £1,475 | £19,776 | 13.4 yrs | £9,715 |
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: £942, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 16.4 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1748 kWh | 1276 kWh | 472 kWh | £330 | £47 | £377 | £9,319 | 24.7 yrs | £-1,780 |
| 3 kW | 2622 kWh | 1914 kWh | 708 kWh | £495 | £71 | £565 | £11,354 | 20.1 yrs | £-45 |
| 4 kW | 3496 kWh | 2552 kWh | 944 kWh | £660 | £94 | £754 | £13,388 | 17.8 yrs | £1,690 |
| 5 kW | 4370 kWh | 3190 kWh | 1180 kWh | £824 | £118 | £942 | £15,423 | 16.4 yrs | £3,425 |
| 6 kW | 5244 kWh | 3828 kWh | 1416 kWh | £989 | £142 | £1,131 | £17,457 | 15.4 yrs | £5,160 |
| 7 kW | 6118 kWh | 4466 kWh | 1652 kWh | £1,154 | £165 | £1,319 | £19,492 | 14.8 yrs | £6,895 |
| 8 kW | 6992 kWh | 5105 kWh | 1888 kWh | £1,319 | £189 | £1,508 | £21,526 | 14.3 yrs | £8,630 |
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: £956, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 18.0 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1748 kWh | 1311 kWh | 437 kWh | £339 | £44 | £382 | £11,069 | 28.9 yrs | £-3,419 |
| 3 kW | 2622 kWh | 1967 kWh | 656 kWh | £508 | £66 | £574 | £13,104 | 22.8 yrs | £-1,629 |
| 4 kW | 3496 kWh | 2622 kWh | 874 kWh | £678 | £87 | £765 | £15,138 | 19.8 yrs | £162 |
| 5 kW | 4370 kWh | 3278 kWh | 1093 kWh | £847 | £109 | £956 | £17,173 | 18.0 yrs | £1,952 |
| 6 kW | 5244 kWh | 3933 kWh | 1311 kWh | £1,016 | £131 | £1,147 | £19,207 | 16.7 yrs | £3,742 |
| 7 kW | 6118 kWh | 4589 kWh | 1530 kWh | £1,186 | £153 | £1,339 | £21,242 | 15.9 yrs | £5,533 |
| 8 kW | 6992 kWh | 5244 kWh | 1748 kWh | £1,355 | £175 | £1,530 | £23,276 | 15.2 yrs | £7,323 |
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: £970, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 20.2 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1748 kWh | 1346 kWh | 402 kWh | £348 | £40 | £388 | £13,519 | 34.8 yrs | £-5,758 |
| 3 kW | 2622 kWh | 2019 kWh | 603 kWh | £522 | £60 | £582 | £15,554 | 26.7 yrs | £-3,913 |
| 4 kW | 3496 kWh | 2692 kWh | 804 kWh | £696 | £80 | £776 | £17,588 | 22.7 yrs | £-2,067 |
| 5 kW | 4370 kWh | 3365 kWh | 1005 kWh | £870 | £101 | £970 | £19,623 | 20.2 yrs | £-221 |
| 6 kW | 5244 kWh | 4038 kWh | 1206 kWh | £1,043 | £121 | £1,164 | £21,657 | 18.6 yrs | £1,625 |
| 7 kW | 6118 kWh | 4711 kWh | 1407 kWh | £1,217 | £141 | £1,358 | £23,692 | 17.4 yrs | £3,470 |
| 8 kW | 6992 kWh | 5384 kWh | 1608 kWh | £1,391 | £161 | £1,552 | £25,726 | 16.6 yrs | £5,316 |
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.