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Solar panel cost in Charnwood (LE11)

See realistic solar installation costs, savings and payback for LE11 (Charnwood) in under a minute using official UK data. Start with the calculator, then get a no-obligation quote from an MCS-certified installer. You can also ask the SolarByPostcode assistant to sanity-check your roof, bills and plans.

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
10.5 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£8,139
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£772
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£11,162
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: The official cost per kW is lower above 4 kW, so a 5–6 kW system can pay back a little faster than a 3–4 kW system on otherwise identical assumptions.
  • 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

Panel costs: Uses March 2026 TIC mean installation costs: £1,827/kW up to 4 kW and £1,628/kW above 4 kW.

Other costs: Battery prices are modelled at £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 East Midlands, the current unit rate is 25.10p/kWh with a 53.60p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 963 kWh/kW — 6 below the regional median (968).

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 963 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 25.1p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.

Unit rate
25.1p/kWh
Standing charge
53.6p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
963 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: £772, Upfront: £8,139, Break-even: 10.5 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1925 kWh 770 kWh 1155 kWh £193 £116 £309 £3,256 10.5 yrs £2,921
3 kW 2888 kWh 1155 kWh 1733 kWh £290 £173 £463 £4,883 10.5 yrs £4,381
4 kW 3850 kWh 1540 kWh 2310 kWh £387 £231 £618 £6,511 10.5 yrs £5,841
5 kW 4813 kWh 1925 kWh 2888 kWh £483 £289 £772 £8,139 10.5 yrs £7,302
6 kW 5776 kWh 2310 kWh 3465 kWh £580 £347 £926 £9,767 10.5 yrs £8,762
7 kW 6738 kWh 2695 kWh 4043 kWh £677 £404 £1,081 £11,394 10.5 yrs £10,222
8 kW 7701 kWh 3080 kWh 4621 kWh £773 £462 £1,235 £13,022 10.5 yrs £11,683

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,628, battery £/kWh = 700.

3 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £917, Upfront: £10,239, Break-even: 11.2 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1925 kWh 1155 kWh 770 kWh £290 £77 £367 £5,356 14.6 yrs £1,983
3 kW 2888 kWh 1733 kWh 1155 kWh £435 £116 £550 £6,983 12.7 yrs £4,025
4 kW 3850 kWh 2310 kWh 1540 kWh £580 £154 £734 £8,611 11.7 yrs £6,067
5 kW 4813 kWh 2888 kWh 1925 kWh £725 £193 £917 £10,239 11.2 yrs £8,109
6 kW 5776 kWh 3465 kWh 2310 kWh £870 £231 £1,101 £11,867 10.8 yrs £10,150
7 kW 6738 kWh 4043 kWh 2695 kWh £1,015 £270 £1,284 £13,494 10.5 yrs £12,192
8 kW 7701 kWh 4621 kWh 3080 kWh £1,160 £308 £1,468 £15,122 10.3 yrs £14,234

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,628, battery £/kWh = 700.

5 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £990, Upfront: £11,639, Break-even: 11.8 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1925 kWh 1348 kWh 578 kWh £338 £58 £396 £6,756 17.1 yrs £1,165
3 kW 2888 kWh 2022 kWh 866 kWh £507 £87 £594 £8,383 14.1 yrs £3,497
4 kW 3850 kWh 2695 kWh 1155 kWh £677 £116 £792 £10,011 12.6 yrs £5,830
5 kW 4813 kWh 3369 kWh 1444 kWh £846 £144 £990 £11,639 11.8 yrs £8,162
6 kW 5776 kWh 4043 kWh 1733 kWh £1,015 £173 £1,188 £13,267 11.2 yrs £10,495
7 kW 6738 kWh 4717 kWh 2022 kWh £1,184 £202 £1,386 £14,894 10.7 yrs £12,827
8 kW 7701 kWh 5391 kWh 2310 kWh £1,353 £231 £1,584 £16,522 10.4 yrs £15,160

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,628, battery £/kWh = 700.

7.5 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £1,012, Upfront: £13,389, Break-even: 13.2 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1925 kWh 1405 kWh 520 kWh £353 £52 £405 £8,506 21.0 yrs £-411
3 kW 2888 kWh 2108 kWh 780 kWh £529 £78 £607 £10,133 16.7 yrs £2,009
4 kW 3850 kWh 2811 kWh 1040 kWh £706 £104 £809 £11,761 14.5 yrs £4,429
5 kW 4813 kWh 3514 kWh 1300 kWh £882 £130 £1,012 £13,389 13.2 yrs £6,848
6 kW 5776 kWh 4216 kWh 1559 kWh £1,058 £156 £1,214 £15,017 12.4 yrs £9,268
7 kW 6738 kWh 4919 kWh 1819 kWh £1,235 £182 £1,417 £16,644 11.7 yrs £11,688
8 kW 7701 kWh 5622 kWh 2079 kWh £1,411 £208 £1,619 £18,272 11.3 yrs £14,107

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,628, battery £/kWh = 700.

10 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £1,026, Upfront: £15,139, Break-even: 14.7 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1925 kWh 1444 kWh 481 kWh £362 £48 £411 £10,256 25.0 yrs £-2,044
3 kW 2888 kWh 2166 kWh 722 kWh £544 £72 £616 £11,883 19.3 yrs £433
4 kW 3850 kWh 2888 kWh 963 kWh £725 £96 £821 £13,511 16.5 yrs £2,911
5 kW 4813 kWh 3610 kWh 1203 kWh £906 £120 £1,026 £15,139 14.7 yrs £5,389
6 kW 5776 kWh 4332 kWh 1444 kWh £1,087 £144 £1,232 £16,767 13.6 yrs £7,867
7 kW 6738 kWh 5054 kWh 1685 kWh £1,268 £168 £1,437 £18,394 12.8 yrs £10,345
8 kW 7701 kWh 5776 kWh 1925 kWh £1,450 £193 £1,642 £20,022 12.2 yrs £12,823

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,628, battery £/kWh = 700.

13.5 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £1,041, Upfront: £17,589, Break-even: 16.9 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1925 kWh 1482 kWh 443 kWh £372 £44 £416 £12,706 30.5 yrs £-4,378
3 kW 2888 kWh 2224 kWh 664 kWh £558 £66 £625 £14,333 22.9 yrs £-1,842
4 kW 3850 kWh 2965 kWh 886 kWh £744 £89 £833 £15,961 19.2 yrs £694
5 kW 4813 kWh 3706 kWh 1107 kWh £930 £111 £1,041 £17,589 16.9 yrs £3,230
6 kW 5776 kWh 4447 kWh 1328 kWh £1,116 £133 £1,249 £19,217 15.4 yrs £5,766
7 kW 6738 kWh 5189 kWh 1550 kWh £1,302 £155 £1,457 £20,844 14.3 yrs £8,302
8 kW 7701 kWh 5930 kWh 1771 kWh £1,488 £177 £1,665 £22,472 13.5 yrs £10,838

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,628, 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.

Before you request quotes in Charnwood

Use the numbers above to sanity-check installer quotes. The main things to compare are system size, battery assumptions, payback claims, MCS certification, DNO paperwork and export assumptions.

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Check what MCS certification means

Understand DNO, G98 and G99 export limits

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Insights for LE11

Figures below are tailored to LE11 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #1595 of 2182
4.6 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~10 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #1550 of 2996
10.5 years (UK avg 10.8 years)
~£772 /yr • £8,139 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #1494 of 2996
25.4% (UK avg 26.6%) drag on savings
£196 fixed • ~£772 /yr value
Aspect Penalty View ranking →
East −21.8% West −20.0%
Typical output loss versus a south-facing roof (lower is better)

Seasonal solar output in LE11

Monthly generation per kilowatt of solar panels

kWh 37 Jan 51 Feb 82 Mar 108 Apr 117 May 114 Jun 118 Jul 107 Aug 89 Sep 63 Oct 43 Nov 34 Dec
Best month Worst month Winter (Dec–Feb) Other months

Winter output: 50.9% of an average month (Dec–Feb)

Best / worst month: Jul / Dec

These figures show output per kilowatt (kW) of panels installed. In winter, a 1 kW system here produces about 41 kWh per month; the average month produces around 80 kWh. So a typical 4 kW home system would generate roughly 163 kWh in winter, or 321 kWh in an average month.

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
25.10p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
53.60p/day
Local Sunshine
963kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~963 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

Houses: 64% • Flats: 28% • Bungalows: 6% Based on 17,833 properties

Coverage

Charnwood (100%)

Areas Covered

Loughborough East, Loughborough Storer, Loughborough Southfields, Dishley, Hathern & Thorpe Acre, Loughborough Ashby, Loughborough Outwoods & Shelthorpe, Shepshed West + 3 more

Data Sources & Assumptions

Solar yield: PVGIS (EU Joint Research Centre), January 2025 data

Electricity rates: Ofgem price cap, Q3 2026

Installation costs: DESNZ/MCS data, March 2026 (TIC)

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 East Midlands

LE12 (Charnwood)
≈2.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~959 kWh/kWp · -0% vs LE11
DE74 (North West Leicestershire)
≈11.2 km away
Local sunshine: ~962 kWh/kWp · -0% vs LE11
LE6 (North West Leicestershire)
≈11.9 km away
Local sunshine: ~957 kWh/kWp · -1% vs LE11
LE67 (North West Leicestershire)
≈11.9 km away
Local sunshine: ~953 kWh/kWp · -1% vs LE11
LE7 (Charnwood)
≈13.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~957 kWh/kWp · -1% vs LE11
LE4 (Leicester)
≈14.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~952 kWh/kWp · -1% vs LE11

Similar sunshine across the UK

WR11 (Wychavon)
~963 kWh/kWp · -0% vs LE11
EX21 (Torridge)
~962 kWh/kWp · -0% vs LE11
B93 (Solihull)
~962 kWh/kWp · -0% vs LE11