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Solar Panels in L42 (Wirral)

See if solar pays off for you in Wirral — 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
12.8 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£10,173
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£795
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£9,691
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 930 kWh/kW — 0 above the regional median (930).

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 930 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)
930 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: £795, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 12.8 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1860 kWh 744 kWh 1116 kWh £206 £112 £318 £4,069 12.8 yrs £2,287
3 kW 2790 kWh 1116 kWh 1674 kWh £309 £167 £477 £6,104 12.8 yrs £3,431
4 kW 3720 kWh 1488 kWh 2232 kWh £412 £223 £636 £8,138 12.8 yrs £4,575
5 kW 4650 kWh 1860 kWh 2790 kWh £516 £279 £795 £10,173 12.8 yrs £5,718
6 kW 5580 kWh 2232 kWh 3348 kWh £619 £335 £953 £12,207 12.8 yrs £6,862
7 kW 6510 kWh 2604 kWh 3906 kWh £722 £391 £1,112 £14,242 12.8 yrs £8,006
8 kW 7440 kWh 2976 kWh 4464 kWh £825 £446 £1,271 £16,276 12.8 yrs £9,149

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: £959, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 12.8 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1860 kWh 1116 kWh 744 kWh £309 £74 £384 £6,169 16.1 yrs £1,506
3 kW 2790 kWh 1674 kWh 1116 kWh £464 £112 £576 £8,204 14.3 yrs £3,308
4 kW 3720 kWh 2232 kWh 1488 kWh £619 £149 £767 £10,238 13.3 yrs £5,111
5 kW 4650 kWh 2790 kWh 1860 kWh £773 £186 £959 £12,273 12.8 yrs £6,914
6 kW 5580 kWh 3348 kWh 2232 kWh £928 £223 £1,151 £14,307 12.4 yrs £8,717
7 kW 6510 kWh 3906 kWh 2604 kWh £1,083 £260 £1,343 £16,342 12.2 yrs £10,520
8 kW 7440 kWh 4464 kWh 2976 kWh £1,237 £298 £1,535 £18,376 12.0 yrs £12,322

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: £1,042, Upfront: £13,673, Break-even: 13.1 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1860 kWh 1302 kWh 558 kWh £361 £56 £417 £7,569 18.2 yrs £765
3 kW 2790 kWh 1953 kWh 837 kWh £541 £84 £625 £9,604 15.4 yrs £2,897
4 kW 3720 kWh 2604 kWh 1116 kWh £722 £112 £833 £11,638 14.0 yrs £5,029
5 kW 4650 kWh 3255 kWh 1395 kWh £902 £139 £1,042 £13,673 13.1 yrs £7,162
6 kW 5580 kWh 3906 kWh 1674 kWh £1,083 £167 £1,250 £15,707 12.6 yrs £9,294
7 kW 6510 kWh 4557 kWh 1953 kWh £1,263 £195 £1,458 £17,742 12.2 yrs £11,427
8 kW 7440 kWh 5208 kWh 2232 kWh £1,444 £223 £1,667 £19,776 11.9 yrs £13,559

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: £1,066, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 14.5 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1860 kWh 1358 kWh 502 kWh £376 £50 £427 £9,319 21.8 yrs £-788
3 kW 2790 kWh 2037 kWh 753 kWh £565 £75 £640 £11,354 17.7 yrs £1,444
4 kW 3720 kWh 2715 kWh 1004 kWh £753 £100 £853 £13,388 15.7 yrs £3,675
5 kW 4650 kWh 3394 kWh 1255 kWh £941 £126 £1,066 £15,423 14.5 yrs £5,906
6 kW 5580 kWh 4073 kWh 1507 kWh £1,129 £151 £1,280 £17,457 13.6 yrs £8,137
7 kW 6510 kWh 4752 kWh 1758 kWh £1,317 £176 £1,493 £19,492 13.1 yrs £10,369
8 kW 7440 kWh 5431 kWh 2009 kWh £1,505 £201 £1,706 £21,526 12.6 yrs £12,600

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: £1,083, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 15.9 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1860 kWh 1395 kWh 465 kWh £387 £46 £433 £11,069 25.6 yrs £-2,406
3 kW 2790 kWh 2092 kWh 697 kWh £580 £70 £650 £13,104 20.2 yrs £-109
4 kW 3720 kWh 2790 kWh 930 kWh £773 £93 £866 £15,138 17.5 yrs £2,189
5 kW 4650 kWh 3487 kWh 1162 kWh £967 £116 £1,083 £17,173 15.9 yrs £4,486
6 kW 5580 kWh 4185 kWh 1395 kWh £1,160 £139 £1,299 £19,207 14.8 yrs £6,783
7 kW 6510 kWh 4882 kWh 1627 kWh £1,353 £163 £1,516 £21,242 14.0 yrs £9,080
8 kW 7440 kWh 5580 kWh 1860 kWh £1,547 £186 £1,733 £23,276 13.4 yrs £11,377

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: £1,099, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 17.8 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1860 kWh 1432 kWh 428 kWh £397 £43 £440 £13,519 30.7 yrs £-4,724
3 kW 2790 kWh 2148 kWh 642 kWh £595 £64 £660 £15,554 23.6 yrs £-2,361
4 kW 3720 kWh 2864 kWh 856 kWh £794 £86 £880 £17,588 20.0 yrs £2
5 kW 4650 kWh 3580 kWh 1069 kWh £992 £107 £1,099 £19,623 17.8 yrs £2,365
6 kW 5580 kWh 4296 kWh 1283 kWh £1,191 £128 £1,319 £21,657 16.4 yrs £4,728
7 kW 6510 kWh 5012 kWh 1497 kWh £1,389 £150 £1,539 £23,692 15.4 yrs £7,091
8 kW 7440 kWh 5728 kWh 1711 kWh £1,588 £171 £1,759 £25,726 14.6 yrs £9,455

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 L42

Figures below are tailored to L42 — click through for full league tables.

Solar Payback Index Rank #1391 of 2997
11.1 years (UK avg 11.3 years)
~£918 /yr • £10,173 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #2503 of 2997
27.8% (UK avg 21.7%) drag on savings
£255 fixed • ~£918 /yr value

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
27.72p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
69.95p/day
Local Sunshine
930kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~930 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

Wirral (100%)

Areas Covered

Rock Ferry, Birkenhead and Tranmere, Prenton, Oxton, Bebington, Bromborough

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

CH42 (Wirral)
≈0.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~930 kWh/kWp · +0% vs L42
CH32 (Wirral)
≈2.2 km away
Local sunshine: ~915 kWh/kWp · -2% vs L42
L41 (Wirral)
≈2.3 km away
Local sunshine: ~931 kWh/kWp · +0% vs L42
CH41 (Wirral)
≈2.4 km away
Local sunshine: ~945 kWh/kWp · +2% vs L42
L43 (Wirral)
≈2.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~945 kWh/kWp · +2% vs L42
CH43 (Wirral)
≈2.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~930 kWh/kWp · +0% vs L42

Similar sunshine across the UK

TF5 (Telford and Wrekin)
~930 kWh/kWp · +0% vs L42
DY2 (Dudley)
~930 kWh/kWp · -0% vs L42
ST16 (Stafford)
~930 kWh/kWp · -0% vs L42