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Postcode solar briefing

Solar panel cost in Rochdale (OL10)

See realistic solar installation costs, savings and payback for OL10 (Rochdale) using official UK data. Start with the local verdict, then adjust the calculator for your roof, usage and export assumptions.

Local model Calculator unchanged Quote assumptions checked
Local solar briefing

Solar in OL10: worth checking with local numbers before trusting a generic quote.

This is a modelled local view, not a promise of savings. Use it as a quick sense-check before comparing installer quotes for OL10.

Typical system
4.0 kW
starting point
Annual benefit
£560
before battery costs
Payback estimate
13.0 years
panel-only baseline
Postcode verdict
Roof direction matters
local model
Local context

Why OL10 differs

South-facing yield is about 2.1% below the North West median.

The starting system size is 4.0 kW, which is smaller than the regional typical size of 5.0 kW.

Local housing mix looks suitable for a postcode-level estimate, but your actual roof still matters more than the area average.

Battery payback depends heavily on evening use, export tariff and whether the installer has assumed optimistic self-consumption.

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
£7,307
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£560
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£6,701
After paying itself off, you're this much ahead

Ready to Get Started?

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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.

Before you sign

What to challenge in solar quotes for OL10

Use the calculator above as a baseline, then ask installers to explain where their quote differs from the local assumptions.

If the proposed system is much larger than 4.0 kW, ask why it fits your roof and usage.

Compare payback with and without a battery before accepting a bundled quote.

Check which Smart Export Guarantee tariff is assumed. The calculator baseline uses 10p/kWh.

Confirm who handles MCS certification and DNO/G98/G99 paperwork before comparing finance or warranties.

Compare quotes Check MCS DNO, G98 and G99
New quote check

Want a quote sanity check for OL10?

Share the first part of your postcode and a few basics. We’ll help you check whether system size, battery, export and paperwork assumptions look sensible before you commit to installer conversations.

This is a practical sanity-check request, not an instant quote promise. The Blue Ape quote route above remains available if you already want installer introductions.

Request a quote sanity check →

Insights for OL10

Figures below are tailored to OL10 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #1821 of 2182
4.4 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~9 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #2801 of 2996
13.0 years (UK avg 10.8 years)
~£560 /yr • £7,307 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #2263 of 2996
31.1% (UK avg 26.6%) drag on savings
£174 fixed • ~£560 /yr value
Aspect Penalty View ranking →
East −19.3% West −18.7%
Typical output loss versus a south-facing roof (lower is better)
Compare areas

Compare OL10 with nearby and similar areas

Nearby postcode areas in North West

OL11 (Rochdale)
≈3.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~833 kWh/kWp · -2% vs OL10
M24 (Rochdale)
≈4.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~846 kWh/kWp · -1% vs OL10
BL9 (Bury)
≈4.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~861 kWh/kWp · +1% vs OL10
OL12 (Rochdale)
≈5.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~843 kWh/kWp · -1% vs OL10
OL16 (Rochdale)
≈5.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~833 kWh/kWp · -2% vs OL10
BL8 (Bury)
≈6.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~866 kWh/kWp · +2% vs OL10

Similar solar-yield areas

EH99 (City of Edinburgh)
~851 kWh/kWp · -0% vs OL10
FK9 (Stirling)
~852 kWh/kWp · +0% vs OL10
AB44 (Aberdeenshire)
~852 kWh/kWp · +0% vs OL10

Your area in context

In North West, the current unit rate is 26.13p/kWh with a 47.61p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 851 kWh/kW — 19 below the regional median (870).

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 851 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 26.1p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.

Unit rate
26.1p/kWh
Standing charge
47.6p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
851 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: £700, Upfront: £9,134, 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 1703 kWh 681 kWh 1022 kWh £178 £102 £280 £3,654 13.0 yrs £1,950
3 kW 2554 kWh 1022 kWh 1533 kWh £267 £153 £420 £5,481 13.0 yrs £2,924
4 kW 3406 kWh 1362 kWh 2044 kWh £356 £204 £560 £7,307 13.0 yrs £3,899
5 kW 4257 kWh 1703 kWh 2554 kWh £445 £255 £700 £9,134 13.0 yrs £4,874
6 kW 5109 kWh 2044 kWh 3065 kWh £534 £307 £840 £10,961 13.0 yrs £5,849
7 kW 5960 kWh 2384 kWh 3576 kWh £623 £358 £981 £12,788 13.0 yrs £6,824
8 kW 6812 kWh 2725 kWh 4087 kWh £712 £409 £1,121 £14,615 13.0 yrs £7,798

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: £838, Upfront: £11,234, Break-even: 13.4 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1703 kWh 1022 kWh 681 kWh £267 £68 £335 £5,754 17.2 yrs £948
3 kW 2554 kWh 1533 kWh 1022 kWh £400 £102 £503 £7,581 15.1 yrs £2,472
4 kW 3406 kWh 2044 kWh 1362 kWh £534 £136 £670 £9,407 14.0 yrs £3,997
5 kW 4257 kWh 2554 kWh 1703 kWh £667 £170 £838 £11,234 13.4 yrs £5,521
6 kW 5109 kWh 3065 kWh 2044 kWh £801 £204 £1,005 £13,061 13.0 yrs £7,045
7 kW 5960 kWh 3576 kWh 2384 kWh £934 £238 £1,173 £14,888 12.7 yrs £8,569
8 kW 6812 kWh 4087 kWh 2725 kWh £1,068 £272 £1,340 £16,715 12.5 yrs £10,093

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: £906, Upfront: £12,634, 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 1703 kWh 1192 kWh 511 kWh £311 £51 £363 £7,154 19.7 yrs £98
3 kW 2554 kWh 1788 kWh 766 kWh £467 £77 £544 £8,981 16.5 yrs £1,897
4 kW 3406 kWh 2384 kWh 1022 kWh £623 £102 £725 £10,807 14.9 yrs £3,695
5 kW 4257 kWh 2980 kWh 1277 kWh £779 £128 £906 £12,634 13.9 yrs £5,494
6 kW 5109 kWh 3576 kWh 1533 kWh £934 £153 £1,088 £14,461 13.3 yrs £7,293
7 kW 5960 kWh 4172 kWh 1788 kWh £1,090 £179 £1,269 £16,288 12.8 yrs £9,092
8 kW 6812 kWh 4768 kWh 2044 kWh £1,246 £204 £1,450 £18,115 12.5 yrs £10,891

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: £927, Upfront: £14,384, Break-even: 15.5 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1703 kWh 1243 kWh 460 kWh £325 £46 £371 £8,904 24.0 yrs £-1,487
3 kW 2554 kWh 1865 kWh 690 kWh £487 £69 £556 £10,731 19.3 yrs £394
4 kW 3406 kWh 2486 kWh 920 kWh £650 £92 £742 £12,557 16.9 yrs £2,275
5 kW 4257 kWh 3108 kWh 1149 kWh £812 £115 £927 £14,384 15.5 yrs £4,156
6 kW 5109 kWh 3729 kWh 1379 kWh £974 £138 £1,112 £16,211 14.6 yrs £6,038
7 kW 5960 kWh 4351 kWh 1609 kWh £1,137 £161 £1,298 £18,038 13.9 yrs £7,919
8 kW 6812 kWh 4973 kWh 1839 kWh £1,299 £184 £1,483 £19,865 13.4 yrs £9,800

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: £941, Upfront: £16,134, Break-even: 17.2 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1703 kWh 1277 kWh 426 kWh £334 £43 £376 £10,654 28.3 yrs £-3,128
3 kW 2554 kWh 1916 kWh 639 kWh £501 £64 £564 £12,481 22.1 yrs £-1,191
4 kW 3406 kWh 2554 kWh 851 kWh £667 £85 £753 £14,307 19.0 yrs £745
5 kW 4257 kWh 3193 kWh 1064 kWh £834 £106 £941 £16,134 17.2 yrs £2,681
6 kW 5109 kWh 3832 kWh 1277 kWh £1,001 £128 £1,129 £17,961 15.9 yrs £4,617
7 kW 5960 kWh 4470 kWh 1490 kWh £1,168 £149 £1,317 £19,788 15.0 yrs £6,553
8 kW 6812 kWh 5109 kWh 1703 kWh £1,335 £170 £1,505 £21,615 14.4 yrs £8,489

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: £954, Upfront: £18,584, 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 1703 kWh 1311 kWh 392 kWh £343 £39 £382 £13,104 34.3 yrs £-5,468
3 kW 2554 kWh 1967 kWh 588 kWh £514 £59 £573 £14,931 26.1 yrs £-3,477
4 kW 3406 kWh 2622 kWh 783 kWh £685 £78 £764 £16,757 21.9 yrs £-1,486
5 kW 4257 kWh 3278 kWh 979 kWh £857 £98 £954 £18,584 19.5 yrs £506
6 kW 5109 kWh 3934 kWh 1175 kWh £1,028 £118 £1,145 £20,411 17.8 yrs £2,497
7 kW 5960 kWh 4589 kWh 1371 kWh £1,199 £137 £1,336 £22,238 16.6 yrs £4,488
8 kW 6812 kWh 5245 kWh 1567 kWh £1,371 £157 £1,527 £24,065 15.8 yrs £6,479

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.

Seasonal solar output in OL10

Monthly generation per kilowatt of solar panels

kWh 26 Jan 43 Feb 75 Mar 101 Apr 110 May 107 Jun 105 Jul 93 Aug 78 Sep 53 Oct 36 Nov 25 Dec
Best month Worst month Winter (Dec–Feb) Other months

Winter output: 43.8% of an average month (Dec–Feb)

Best / worst month: May / Dec

These figures show output per kilowatt (kW) of panels installed. In winter, a 1 kW system here produces about 31 kWh per month; the average month produces around 71 kWh. So a typical 4 kW home system would generate roughly 124 kWh in winter, or 284 kWh in an average month.

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
26.13p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
47.61p/day
Local Sunshine
851kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~851 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: 77% • Flats: 16% • Bungalows: 6% Based on 8,316 properties

Coverage

Rochdale (100%)

Areas Covered

North Heywood, West Heywood, Hopwood Hall, Bamford, West Middleton, Norden

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.