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Big Roof Britain Solar Payback Index Standing Charge Drag

Solar Panels in L36 (Knowsley)

See if solar pays off for you in Knowsley — 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
13.0 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£8,138
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£628
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£7,557
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 North Wales and Mersey, the current unit rate is 27.72p/kWh with a 69.95p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 919 kWh/kW — 11 below the regional median (930).

Read the full story

A typical roof here lands around 4.0 kW, with most eligible homes comfortably fitting within 3–6 kW. Each kilowatt of panels produces roughly 919 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 27.7p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.

Unit rate
27.7p/kWh
Standing charge
70.0p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
919 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: £785, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 13.0 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1837 kWh 735 kWh 1102 kWh £204 £110 £314 £4,069 13.0 yrs £2,209
3 kW 2756 kWh 1102 kWh 1653 kWh £306 £165 £471 £6,104 13.0 yrs £3,314
4 kW 3674 kWh 1470 kWh 2204 kWh £407 £220 £628 £8,138 13.0 yrs £4,418
5 kW 4593 kWh 1837 kWh 2756 kWh £509 £276 £785 £10,173 13.0 yrs £5,523
6 kW 5511 kWh 2204 kWh 3307 kWh £611 £331 £942 £12,207 13.0 yrs £6,628
7 kW 6430 kWh 2572 kWh 3858 kWh £713 £386 £1,099 £14,242 13.0 yrs £7,732
8 kW 7348 kWh 2939 kWh 4409 kWh £815 £441 £1,256 £16,276 13.0 yrs £8,837

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: £948, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 13.0 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1837 kWh 1102 kWh 735 kWh £306 £73 £379 £6,169 16.3 yrs £1,411
3 kW 2756 kWh 1653 kWh 1102 kWh £458 £110 £569 £8,204 14.4 yrs £3,167
4 kW 3674 kWh 2204 kWh 1470 kWh £611 £147 £758 £10,238 13.5 yrs £4,923
5 kW 4593 kWh 2756 kWh 1837 kWh £764 £184 £948 £12,273 13.0 yrs £6,678
6 kW 5511 kWh 3307 kWh 2204 kWh £917 £220 £1,137 £14,307 12.6 yrs £8,434
7 kW 6430 kWh 3858 kWh 2572 kWh £1,069 £257 £1,327 £16,342 12.3 yrs £10,189
8 kW 7348 kWh 4409 kWh 2939 kWh £1,222 £294 £1,516 £18,376 12.1 yrs £11,945

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: £1,029, Upfront: £13,673, Break-even: 13.3 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1837 kWh 1286 kWh 551 kWh £356 £55 £412 £7,569 18.4 yrs £662
3 kW 2756 kWh 1929 kWh 827 kWh £535 £83 £617 £9,604 15.6 yrs £2,743
4 kW 3674 kWh 2572 kWh 1102 kWh £713 £110 £823 £11,638 14.1 yrs £4,825
5 kW 4593 kWh 3215 kWh 1378 kWh £891 £138 £1,029 £13,673 13.3 yrs £6,906
6 kW 5511 kWh 3858 kWh 1653 kWh £1,069 £165 £1,235 £15,707 12.7 yrs £8,987
7 kW 6430 kWh 4501 kWh 1929 kWh £1,248 £193 £1,440 £17,742 12.3 yrs £11,068
8 kW 7348 kWh 5144 kWh 2204 kWh £1,426 £220 £1,646 £19,776 12.0 yrs £13,149

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: £1,053, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 14.6 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1837 kWh 1341 kWh 496 kWh £372 £50 £421 £9,319 22.1 yrs £-892
3 kW 2756 kWh 2012 kWh 744 kWh £558 £74 £632 £11,354 18.0 yrs £1,286
4 kW 3674 kWh 2682 kWh 992 kWh £743 £99 £843 £13,388 15.9 yrs £3,465
5 kW 4593 kWh 3353 kWh 1240 kWh £929 £124 £1,053 £15,423 14.6 yrs £5,644
6 kW 5511 kWh 4023 kWh 1488 kWh £1,115 £149 £1,264 £17,457 13.8 yrs £7,823
7 kW 6430 kWh 4694 kWh 1736 kWh £1,301 £174 £1,475 £19,492 13.2 yrs £10,002
8 kW 7348 kWh 5364 kWh 1984 kWh £1,487 £198 £1,685 £21,526 12.8 yrs £12,180

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: £1,070, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 16.1 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1837 kWh 1378 kWh 459 kWh £382 £46 £428 £11,069 25.9 yrs £-2,512
3 kW 2756 kWh 2067 kWh 689 kWh £573 £69 £642 £13,104 20.4 yrs £-268
4 kW 3674 kWh 2756 kWh 919 kWh £764 £92 £856 £15,138 17.7 yrs £1,976
5 kW 4593 kWh 3444 kWh 1148 kWh £955 £115 £1,070 £17,173 16.1 yrs £4,220
6 kW 5511 kWh 4133 kWh 1378 kWh £1,146 £138 £1,284 £19,207 15.0 yrs £6,463
7 kW 6430 kWh 4822 kWh 1607 kWh £1,337 £161 £1,497 £21,242 14.2 yrs £8,707
8 kW 7348 kWh 5511 kWh 1837 kWh £1,528 £184 £1,711 £23,276 13.6 yrs £10,951

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: £1,086, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 18.1 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1837 kWh 1415 kWh 423 kWh £392 £42 £434 £13,519 31.1 yrs £-4,832
3 kW 2756 kWh 2122 kWh 634 kWh £588 £63 £652 £15,554 23.9 yrs £-2,523
4 kW 3674 kWh 2829 kWh 845 kWh £784 £85 £869 £17,588 20.2 yrs £-214
5 kW 4593 kWh 3536 kWh 1056 kWh £980 £106 £1,086 £19,623 18.1 yrs £2,095
6 kW 5511 kWh 4244 kWh 1268 kWh £1,176 £127 £1,303 £21,657 16.6 yrs £4,404
7 kW 6430 kWh 4951 kWh 1479 kWh £1,372 £148 £1,520 £23,692 15.6 yrs £6,713
8 kW 7348 kWh 5658 kWh 1690 kWh £1,568 £169 £1,737 £25,726 14.8 yrs £9,022

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 L36

Figures below are tailored to L36 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #1668 of 2182
4.5 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~9 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #1538 of 2997
11.2 years (UK avg 11.3 years)
~£725 /yr • £8,138 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #2865 of 2997
35.2% (UK avg 21.7%) drag on savings
£255 fixed • ~£725 /yr value

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
27.72p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
69.95p/day
Local Sunshine
919kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~919 kWh per year. A typical home uses ~2,700 kWh per year.
Typical System Size
4.0kW
For houses & bungalows in this area

Local Property Data

Property Types

Houses: 81% • Flats: 15% • Bungalows: 4% Based on 13,408 properties

Coverage

Knowsley (100%)

Areas Covered

Roby, St Gabriels, St Michaels, Page Moss, Stockbridge, Swanside, Whiston and Cronton, Halewood North + 1 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 North Wales and Mersey

L14 (Liverpool)
≈2.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~926 kWh/kWp · +1% vs L36
L27 (Liverpool)
≈2.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~921 kWh/kWp · +0% vs L36
L28 (Knowsley)
≈3.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~926 kWh/kWp · +1% vs L36
L34 (Knowsley)
≈3.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~922 kWh/kWp · +0% vs L36
L35 (Knowsley)
≈3.5 km away
Local sunshine: ~914 kWh/kWp · -0% vs L36
L16 (Liverpool)
≈3.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~921 kWh/kWp · +0% vs L36

Similar sunshine across the UK

HD5 (Kirklees)
~918 kWh/kWp · -0% vs L36
NE16 (Gateshead)
~919 kWh/kWp · +0% vs L36
BT18 (Ards and North Down)
~918 kWh/kWp · -0% vs L36