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Big Roof Britain Solar Payback Index Standing Charge Drag

Solar Panels in LD3 (Powys)

See if solar pays off for you in Powys — 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
13.9 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£12,207
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£879
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£9,776
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 South Wales, the current unit rate is 26.83p/kWh with a 51.69p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 876 kWh/kW — 93 below the regional median (968).

Read the full story

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 876 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 26.8p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.

Unit rate
26.8p/kWh
Standing charge
51.7p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
876 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: £733, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 13.9 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1752 kWh 701 kWh 1051 kWh £188 £105 £293 £4,069 13.9 yrs £1,793
3 kW 2628 kWh 1051 kWh 1577 kWh £282 £158 £440 £6,104 13.9 yrs £2,690
4 kW 3503 kWh 1401 kWh 2102 kWh £376 £210 £586 £8,138 13.9 yrs £3,586
5 kW 4379 kWh 1752 kWh 2628 kWh £470 £263 £733 £10,173 13.9 yrs £4,483
6 kW 5255 kWh 2102 kWh 3153 kWh £564 £315 £879 £12,207 13.9 yrs £5,379
7 kW 6131 kWh 2452 kWh 3679 kWh £658 £368 £1,026 £14,242 13.9 yrs £6,276
8 kW 7007 kWh 2803 kWh 4204 kWh £752 £420 £1,172 £16,276 13.9 yrs £7,172

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: £880, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 13.9 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1752 kWh 1051 kWh 701 kWh £282 £70 £352 £6,169 17.5 yrs £872
3 kW 2628 kWh 1577 kWh 1051 kWh £423 £105 £528 £8,204 15.5 yrs £2,358
4 kW 3503 kWh 2102 kWh 1401 kWh £564 £140 £704 £10,238 14.5 yrs £3,845
5 kW 4379 kWh 2628 kWh 1752 kWh £705 £175 £880 £12,273 13.9 yrs £5,331
6 kW 5255 kWh 3153 kWh 2102 kWh £846 £210 £1,056 £14,307 13.5 yrs £6,817
7 kW 6131 kWh 3679 kWh 2452 kWh £987 £245 £1,232 £16,342 13.3 yrs £8,303
8 kW 7007 kWh 4204 kWh 2803 kWh £1,128 £280 £1,408 £18,376 13.0 yrs £9,789

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: £954, Upfront: £13,673, Break-even: 14.3 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1752 kWh 1226 kWh 526 kWh £329 £53 £382 £7,569 19.8 yrs £62
3 kW 2628 kWh 1839 kWh 788 kWh £493 £79 £572 £9,604 16.8 yrs £1,843
4 kW 3503 kWh 2452 kWh 1051 kWh £658 £105 £763 £11,638 15.3 yrs £3,624
5 kW 4379 kWh 3066 kWh 1314 kWh £822 £131 £954 £13,673 14.3 yrs £5,405
6 kW 5255 kWh 3679 kWh 1577 kWh £987 £158 £1,145 £15,707 13.7 yrs £7,186
7 kW 6131 kWh 4292 kWh 1839 kWh £1,151 £184 £1,335 £17,742 13.3 yrs £8,967
8 kW 7007 kWh 4905 kWh 2102 kWh £1,316 £210 £1,526 £19,776 13.0 yrs £10,748

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: £976, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 15.8 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1752 kWh 1279 kWh 473 kWh £343 £47 £390 £9,319 23.9 yrs £-1,511
3 kW 2628 kWh 1918 kWh 709 kWh £515 £71 £586 £11,354 19.4 yrs £358
4 kW 3503 kWh 2558 kWh 946 kWh £686 £95 £781 £13,388 17.1 yrs £2,228
5 kW 4379 kWh 3197 kWh 1182 kWh £858 £118 £976 £15,423 15.8 yrs £4,097
6 kW 5255 kWh 3836 kWh 1419 kWh £1,029 £142 £1,171 £17,457 14.9 yrs £5,966
7 kW 6131 kWh 4476 kWh 1655 kWh £1,201 £166 £1,366 £19,492 14.3 yrs £7,836
8 kW 7007 kWh 5115 kWh 1892 kWh £1,372 £189 £1,562 £21,526 13.8 yrs £9,705

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: £991, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 17.3 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1752 kWh 1314 kWh 438 kWh £352 £44 £396 £11,069 27.9 yrs £-3,143
3 kW 2628 kWh 1971 kWh 657 kWh £529 £66 £594 £13,104 22.0 yrs £-1,215
4 kW 3503 kWh 2628 kWh 876 kWh £705 £88 £793 £15,138 19.1 yrs £713
5 kW 4379 kWh 3285 kWh 1095 kWh £881 £109 £991 £17,173 17.3 yrs £2,642
6 kW 5255 kWh 3941 kWh 1314 kWh £1,057 £131 £1,189 £19,207 16.2 yrs £4,570
7 kW 6131 kWh 4598 kWh 1533 kWh £1,234 £153 £1,387 £21,242 15.3 yrs £6,499
8 kW 7007 kWh 5255 kWh 1752 kWh £1,410 £175 £1,585 £23,276 14.7 yrs £8,427

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: £1,005, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 19.5 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1752 kWh 1349 kWh 403 kWh £362 £40 £402 £13,519 33.6 yrs £-5,475
3 kW 2628 kWh 2023 kWh 604 kWh £543 £60 £603 £15,554 25.8 yrs £-3,488
4 kW 3503 kWh 2698 kWh 806 kWh £724 £81 £804 £17,588 21.9 yrs £-1,501
5 kW 4379 kWh 3372 kWh 1007 kWh £905 £101 £1,005 £19,623 19.5 yrs £487
6 kW 5255 kWh 4047 kWh 1209 kWh £1,086 £121 £1,207 £21,657 17.9 yrs £2,474
7 kW 6131 kWh 4721 kWh 1410 kWh £1,267 £141 £1,408 £23,692 16.8 yrs £4,461
8 kW 7007 kWh 5395 kWh 1612 kWh £1,448 £161 £1,609 £25,726 16.0 yrs £6,449

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 LD3

Figures below are tailored to LD3 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #436 of 2182
5.7 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~12 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #2399 of 2997
12.1 years (UK avg 11.3 years)
~£1,012 /yr • £12,207 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #1179 of 2997
18.6% (UK avg 21.7%) drag on savings
£189 fixed • ~£1,012 /yr value

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
26.83p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
51.69p/day
Local Sunshine
876kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~876 kWh per year. A typical home uses ~2,700 kWh per year.
Typical System Size
6.0kW
For houses & bungalows in this area

Local Property Data

Property Types

Houses: 76% • Flats: 10% • Bungalows: 14% Based on 4,821 properties

Coverage

Powys (100%)

Areas Covered

Brecon West, Brecon East, Talybont-on-Usk, Yscir with Honddu Isaf and Llanddew, Maescar and Llywel, Bronllys and Felin-fach, Talgarth, Llangors with Bwlch + 2 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 South Wales

NP8 (Powys)
≈20.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~953 kWh/kWp · +9% vs LD3
LD4 (Powys)
≈21.8 km away
Local sunshine: ~903 kWh/kWp · +3% vs LD3
NP23 (Blaenau Gwent)
≈21.9 km away
Local sunshine: ~922 kWh/kWp · +5% vs LD3
NP22 (Blaenau Gwent)
≈21.9 km away
Local sunshine: ~919 kWh/kWp · +5% vs LD3
CF48 (Merthyr Tydfil)
≈22.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~899 kWh/kWp · +3% vs LD3
CF47 (Merthyr Tydfil)
≈22.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~915 kWh/kWp · +4% vs LD3

Similar sunshine across the UK

EH29 (City of Edinburgh)
~876 kWh/kWp · -0% vs LD3
EX35 (North Devon)
~876 kWh/kWp · +0% vs LD3
TD8 (Scottish Borders)
~876 kWh/kWp · -0% vs LD3