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Solar panel cost in Renfrewshire (PA1)

See realistic solar installation costs, savings and payback for PA1 (Renfrewshire) 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
11.9 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£9,767
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£822
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£10,771
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 Southern Scotland, the current unit rate is 25.85p/kWh with a 64.17p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 838 kWh/kW — 12 below the regional median (850).

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 838 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 25.9p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.

Unit rate
25.9p/kWh
Standing charge
64.2p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
838 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: £685, Upfront: £8,139, Break-even: 11.9 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1676 kWh 670 kWh 1006 kWh £173 £101 £274 £3,256 11.9 yrs £2,221
3 kW 2514 kWh 1006 kWh 1508 kWh £260 £151 £411 £4,883 11.9 yrs £3,332
4 kW 3352 kWh 1341 kWh 2011 kWh £347 £201 £548 £6,511 11.9 yrs £4,443
5 kW 4190 kWh 1676 kWh 2514 kWh £433 £251 £685 £8,139 11.9 yrs £5,553
6 kW 5028 kWh 2011 kWh 3017 kWh £520 £302 £822 £9,767 11.9 yrs £6,664
7 kW 5866 kWh 2346 kWh 3519 kWh £607 £352 £958 £11,394 11.9 yrs £7,774
8 kW 6704 kWh 2681 kWh 4022 kWh £693 £402 £1,095 £13,022 11.9 yrs £8,885

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: £817, Upfront: £10,239, Break-even: 12.5 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1676 kWh 1006 kWh 670 kWh £260 £67 £327 £5,356 16.4 yrs £1,184
3 kW 2514 kWh 1508 kWh 1006 kWh £390 £101 £490 £6,983 14.2 yrs £2,826
4 kW 3352 kWh 2011 kWh 1341 kWh £520 £134 £654 £8,611 13.2 yrs £4,468
5 kW 4190 kWh 2514 kWh 1676 kWh £650 £168 £817 £10,239 12.5 yrs £6,109
6 kW 5028 kWh 3017 kWh 2011 kWh £780 £201 £981 £11,867 12.1 yrs £7,751
7 kW 5866 kWh 3519 kWh 2346 kWh £910 £235 £1,144 £13,494 11.8 yrs £9,393
8 kW 6704 kWh 4022 kWh 2681 kWh £1,040 £268 £1,308 £15,122 11.6 yrs £11,035

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: £884, Upfront: £11,639, 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 1676 kWh 1173 kWh 503 kWh £303 £50 £354 £6,756 19.1 yrs £315
3 kW 2514 kWh 1760 kWh 754 kWh £455 £75 £530 £8,383 15.8 yrs £2,223
4 kW 3352 kWh 2346 kWh 1006 kWh £607 £101 £707 £10,011 14.2 yrs £4,130
5 kW 4190 kWh 2933 kWh 1257 kWh £758 £126 £884 £11,639 13.2 yrs £6,038
6 kW 5028 kWh 3519 kWh 1508 kWh £910 £151 £1,061 £13,267 12.5 yrs £7,945
7 kW 5866 kWh 4106 kWh 1760 kWh £1,061 £176 £1,237 £14,894 12.0 yrs £9,853
8 kW 6704 kWh 4692 kWh 2011 kWh £1,213 £201 £1,414 £16,522 11.7 yrs £11,760

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: £904, Upfront: £13,389, Break-even: 14.8 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1676 kWh 1223 kWh 452 kWh £316 £45 £361 £8,506 23.5 yrs £-1,276
3 kW 2514 kWh 1835 kWh 679 kWh £474 £68 £542 £10,133 18.7 yrs £712
4 kW 3352 kWh 2447 kWh 905 kWh £632 £90 £723 £11,761 16.3 yrs £2,699
5 kW 4190 kWh 3058 kWh 1131 kWh £791 £113 £904 £13,389 14.8 yrs £4,686
6 kW 5028 kWh 3670 kWh 1357 kWh £949 £136 £1,084 £15,017 13.8 yrs £6,673
7 kW 5866 kWh 4282 kWh 1584 kWh £1,107 £158 £1,265 £16,644 13.2 yrs £8,660
8 kW 6704 kWh 4894 kWh 1810 kWh £1,265 £181 £1,446 £18,272 12.6 yrs £10,648

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: £917, Upfront: £15,139, Break-even: 16.5 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1676 kWh 1257 kWh 419 kWh £325 £42 £367 £10,256 28.0 yrs £-2,919
3 kW 2514 kWh 1885 kWh 628 kWh £487 £63 £550 £11,883 21.6 yrs £-879
4 kW 3352 kWh 2514 kWh 838 kWh £650 £84 £734 £13,511 18.4 yrs £1,161
5 kW 4190 kWh 3142 kWh 1047 kWh £812 £105 £917 £15,139 16.5 yrs £3,202
6 kW 5028 kWh 3771 kWh 1257 kWh £975 £126 £1,100 £16,767 15.2 yrs £5,242
7 kW 5866 kWh 4399 kWh 1466 kWh £1,137 £147 £1,284 £18,394 14.3 yrs £7,282
8 kW 6704 kWh 5028 kWh 1676 kWh £1,300 £168 £1,467 £20,022 13.6 yrs £9,323

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: £930, Upfront: £17,589, Break-even: 18.9 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1676 kWh 1290 kWh 385 kWh £334 £39 £372 £12,706 34.1 yrs £-5,263
3 kW 2514 kWh 1936 kWh 578 kWh £500 £58 £558 £14,333 25.7 yrs £-3,170
4 kW 3352 kWh 2581 kWh 771 kWh £667 £77 £744 £15,961 21.4 yrs £-1,076
5 kW 4190 kWh 3226 kWh 964 kWh £834 £96 £930 £17,589 18.9 yrs £1,017
6 kW 5028 kWh 3871 kWh 1156 kWh £1,001 £116 £1,116 £19,217 17.2 yrs £3,111
7 kW 5866 kWh 4516 kWh 1349 kWh £1,168 £135 £1,302 £20,844 16.0 yrs £5,204
8 kW 6704 kWh 5162 kWh 1542 kWh £1,334 £154 £1,488 £22,472 15.1 yrs £7,298

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 Renfrewshire

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 PA1

Figures below are tailored to PA1 — click through for full league tables.

Solar Payback Index Rank #2481 of 2996
11.9 years (UK avg 10.8 years)
~£822 /yr • £9,767 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #1951 of 2996
28.5% (UK avg 26.6%) drag on savings
£234 fixed • ~£822 /yr value
Aspect Penalty View ranking →
East −19.0% West −21.1%
Typical output loss versus a south-facing roof (lower is better)

Seasonal solar output in PA1

Monthly generation per kilowatt of solar panels

kWh 23 Jan 40 Feb 70 Mar 102 Apr 114 May 109 Jun 110 Jul 96 Aug 73 Sep 50 Oct 32 Nov 18 Dec
Best month Worst month Winter (Dec–Feb) Other months

Winter output: 38.8% 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 27 kWh per month; the average month produces around 70 kWh. So a typical 4 kW home system would generate roughly 108 kWh in winter, or 279 kWh in an average month.

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
25.85p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
64.17p/day
Local Sunshine
838kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~838 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

No EPC data available for this outcode

Coverage

Renfrewshire (100%)

Areas Covered

Paisley Northeast and Ralston, Paisley Northwest, Paisley East and Central, Johnstone South and Elderslie

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 Southern Scotland

PA3 (Renfrewshire)
≈1.2 km away
Local sunshine: ~834 kWh/kWp · -0% vs PA1
PA98 (Renfrewshire)
≈1.8 km away
Local sunshine: ~843 kWh/kWp · +1% vs PA1
PA2 (Renfrewshire)
≈1.8 km away
Local sunshine: ~825 kWh/kWp · -2% vs PA1
PA4 (Renfrewshire)
≈4.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~835 kWh/kWp · -0% vs PA1
G52 (Glasgow City)
≈4.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~837 kWh/kWp · -0% vs PA1
G53 (Glasgow City)
≈5.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~837 kWh/kWp · -0% vs PA1

Similar sunshine across the UK

KW3 (Highland)
~838 kWh/kWp · +0% vs PA1
BT42 (Mid and East Antrim)
~838 kWh/kWp · +0% vs PA1
BT43 (Mid and East Antrim)
~838 kWh/kWp · +0% vs PA1