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Solar panel cost in Tonbridge and Malling (ME6)

See realistic solar installation costs, savings and payback for ME6 (Tonbridge and Malling) 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
10.7 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£7,307
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£682
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£9,743
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 South East, the current unit rate is 26.67p/kWh with a 54.45p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 1023 kWh/kW — 6 below the regional median (1029).

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 1023 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 26.7p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.

Unit rate
26.7p/kWh
Standing charge
54.5p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
1023 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: £853, Upfront: £9,134, Break-even: 10.7 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2046 kWh 818 kWh 1228 kWh £218 £123 £341 £3,654 10.7 yrs £3,167
3 kW 3069 kWh 1228 kWh 1841 kWh £327 £184 £512 £5,481 10.7 yrs £4,750
4 kW 4092 kWh 1637 kWh 2455 kWh £437 £246 £682 £7,307 10.7 yrs £6,333
5 kW 5115 kWh 2046 kWh 3069 kWh £546 £307 £853 £9,134 10.7 yrs £7,916
6 kW 6138 kWh 2455 kWh 3683 kWh £655 £368 £1,023 £10,961 10.7 yrs £9,500
7 kW 7161 kWh 2864 kWh 4296 kWh £764 £430 £1,194 £12,788 10.7 yrs £11,083
8 kW 8184 kWh 3273 kWh 4910 kWh £873 £491 £1,364 £14,615 10.7 yrs £12,666

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,827, battery £/kWh = 700.

3 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £1,023, Upfront: £11,234, Break-even: 11.0 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2046 kWh 1228 kWh 818 kWh £327 £82 £409 £5,754 14.1 yrs £2,431
3 kW 3069 kWh 1841 kWh 1228 kWh £491 £123 £614 £7,581 12.3 yrs £4,696
4 kW 4092 kWh 2455 kWh 1637 kWh £655 £164 £818 £9,407 11.5 yrs £6,961
5 kW 5115 kWh 3069 kWh 2046 kWh £818 £205 £1,023 £11,234 11.0 yrs £9,227
6 kW 6138 kWh 3683 kWh 2455 kWh £982 £246 £1,228 £13,061 10.6 yrs £11,492
7 kW 7161 kWh 4296 kWh 2864 kWh £1,146 £286 £1,432 £14,888 10.4 yrs £13,758
8 kW 8184 kWh 4910 kWh 3273 kWh £1,310 £327 £1,637 £16,715 10.2 yrs £16,023

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,827, battery £/kWh = 700.

5 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £1,108, Upfront: £12,634, Break-even: 11.4 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2046 kWh 1432 kWh 614 kWh £382 £61 £443 £7,154 16.1 yrs £1,713
3 kW 3069 kWh 2148 kWh 921 kWh £573 £92 £665 £8,981 13.5 yrs £4,319
4 kW 4092 kWh 2864 kWh 1228 kWh £764 £123 £887 £10,807 12.2 yrs £6,926
5 kW 5115 kWh 3580 kWh 1534 kWh £955 £153 £1,108 £12,634 11.4 yrs £9,532
6 kW 6138 kWh 4296 kWh 1841 kWh £1,146 £184 £1,330 £14,461 10.9 yrs £12,139
7 kW 7161 kWh 5012 kWh 2148 kWh £1,337 £215 £1,552 £16,288 10.5 yrs £14,745
8 kW 8184 kWh 5729 kWh 2455 kWh £1,528 £246 £1,773 £18,115 10.2 yrs £17,351

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,827, battery £/kWh = 700.

7.5 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £1,134, Upfront: £14,384, Break-even: 12.7 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2046 kWh 1494 kWh 552 kWh £398 £55 £454 £8,904 19.6 yrs £167
3 kW 3069 kWh 2240 kWh 829 kWh £597 £83 £680 £10,731 15.8 yrs £2,876
4 kW 4092 kWh 2987 kWh 1105 kWh £797 £110 £907 £12,557 13.8 yrs £5,585
5 kW 5115 kWh 3734 kWh 1381 kWh £996 £138 £1,134 £14,384 12.7 yrs £8,294
6 kW 6138 kWh 4481 kWh 1657 kWh £1,195 £166 £1,361 £16,211 11.9 yrs £11,002
7 kW 7161 kWh 5227 kWh 1933 kWh £1,394 £193 £1,587 £18,038 11.4 yrs £13,711
8 kW 8184 kWh 5974 kWh 2210 kWh £1,593 £221 £1,814 £19,865 10.9 yrs £16,420

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,827, battery £/kWh = 700.

10 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £1,151, Upfront: £16,134, Break-even: 14.0 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2046 kWh 1534 kWh 511 kWh £409 £51 £460 £10,654 23.1 yrs £-1,446
3 kW 3069 kWh 2302 kWh 767 kWh £614 £77 £691 £12,481 18.1 yrs £1,331
4 kW 4092 kWh 3069 kWh 1023 kWh £818 £102 £921 £14,307 15.5 yrs £4,108
5 kW 5115 kWh 3836 kWh 1279 kWh £1,023 £128 £1,151 £16,134 14.0 yrs £6,885
6 kW 6138 kWh 4603 kWh 1534 kWh £1,228 £153 £1,381 £17,961 13.0 yrs £9,662
7 kW 7161 kWh 5370 kWh 1790 kWh £1,432 £179 £1,611 £19,788 12.3 yrs £12,439
8 kW 8184 kWh 6138 kWh 2046 kWh £1,637 £205 £1,842 £21,615 11.7 yrs £15,216

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,827, battery £/kWh = 700.

13.5 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £1,168, Upfront: £18,584, 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 2046 kWh 1575 kWh 471 kWh £420 £47 £467 £13,104 28.0 yrs £-3,760
3 kW 3069 kWh 2363 kWh 706 kWh £630 £71 £701 £14,931 21.3 yrs £-915
4 kW 4092 kWh 3151 kWh 941 kWh £840 £94 £934 £16,757 17.9 yrs £1,931
5 kW 5115 kWh 3938 kWh 1176 kWh £1,050 £118 £1,168 £18,584 15.9 yrs £4,776
6 kW 6138 kWh 4726 kWh 1412 kWh £1,260 £141 £1,402 £20,411 14.6 yrs £7,621
7 kW 7161 kWh 5514 kWh 1647 kWh £1,471 £165 £1,635 £22,238 13.6 yrs £10,466
8 kW 8184 kWh 6301 kWh 1882 kWh £1,681 £188 £1,869 £24,065 12.9 yrs £13,311

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,827, 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 Tonbridge and Malling

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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Understand DNO, G98 and G99 export limits

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Insights for ME6

Figures below are tailored to ME6 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #1675 of 2182
4.5 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~9 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #1696 of 2996
10.7 years (UK avg 10.8 years)
~£682 /yr • £7,307 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #2088 of 2996
29.2% (UK avg 26.6%) drag on savings
£199 fixed • ~£682 /yr value
Aspect Penalty View ranking →
East −20.8% West −20.5%
Typical output loss versus a south-facing roof (lower is better)

Seasonal solar output in ME6

Monthly generation per kilowatt of solar panels

kWh 39 Jan 52 Feb 85 Mar 114 Apr 122 May 124 Jun 125 Jul 113 Aug 97 Sep 69 Oct 48 Nov 36 Dec
Best month Worst month Winter (Dec–Feb) Other months

Winter output: 49.3% 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 42 kWh per month; the average month produces around 85 kWh. So a typical 4 kW home system would generate roughly 168 kWh in winter, or 341 kWh in an average month.

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
26.67p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
54.45p/day
Local Sunshine
1023kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~1023 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: 70% • Flats: 22% • Bungalows: 5% Based on 3,121 properties

Coverage

Tonbridge and Malling (100%)

Areas Covered

Snodland East & Ham Hill, Snodland West & Holborough Lakes, Kings Hill, Birling, Leybourne & Ryarsh

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 South East

ME20 (Tonbridge and Malling)
≈2.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,030 kWh/kWp · +1% vs ME6
ME19 (Tonbridge and Malling)
≈4.5 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,032 kWh/kWp · +1% vs ME6
ME5 (Medway)
≈6.5 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,017 kWh/kWp · -1% vs ME6
ME16 (Maidstone)
≈7.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,027 kWh/kWp · +0% vs ME6
ME99 (Maidstone)
≈7.4 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,017 kWh/kWp · -1% vs ME6
ME1 (Medway)
≈7.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,018 kWh/kWp · -0% vs ME6

Similar sunshine across the UK

TR8 (Cornwall)
~1,023 kWh/kWp · -0% vs ME6
RM20 (Thurrock)
~1,023 kWh/kWp · +0% vs ME6
CM4 (Brentwood)
~1,023 kWh/kWp · -0% vs ME6