Independent solar numbers for your postcode using official UK data
Home Regions Guides Compare quotes Solar assistant
Insights
Big Roof Britain Solar Payback Index Standing Charge Drag Roof Direction Penalty Winter Solar Reality Seasonal Solar Output

Solar panel cost in Argyll and Bute (PA41)

See realistic solar installation costs, savings and payback for PA41 (Argyll and Bute) 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
11.6 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£8,139
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£701
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£9,396
After paying itself off, you're this much ahead

Ready to Get Started?

Get your free quote from Blue Ape Renewables. They'll connect you with MCS-certified installers in your area and handle all the paperwork.

Get Solar Quote →
4.8★ Trustpilot • Octopus Energy trusted partner • MCS certified • No obligation
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 Northern Scotland, the current unit rate is 26.42p/kWh with a 57.55p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 847 kWh/kW — 32 above the regional median (815).

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 847 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 26.4p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.

Unit rate
26.4p/kWh
Standing charge
57.5p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
847 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: £701, Upfront: £8,139, Break-even: 11.6 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1693 kWh 677 kWh 1016 kWh £179 £102 £281 £3,256 11.6 yrs £2,356
3 kW 2540 kWh 1016 kWh 1524 kWh £268 £152 £421 £4,883 11.6 yrs £3,533
4 kW 3387 kWh 1355 kWh 2032 kWh £358 £203 £561 £6,511 11.6 yrs £4,711
5 kW 4233 kWh 1693 kWh 2540 kWh £447 £254 £701 £8,139 11.6 yrs £5,889
6 kW 5080 kWh 2032 kWh 3048 kWh £537 £305 £842 £9,767 11.6 yrs £7,067
7 kW 5927 kWh 2371 kWh 3556 kWh £626 £356 £982 £11,394 11.6 yrs £8,245
8 kW 6774 kWh 2709 kWh 4064 kWh £716 £406 £1,122 £13,022 11.6 yrs £9,423

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: £840, Upfront: £10,239, Break-even: 12.2 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1693 kWh 1016 kWh 677 kWh £268 £68 £336 £5,356 15.9 yrs £1,368
3 kW 2540 kWh 1524 kWh 1016 kWh £403 £102 £504 £6,983 13.8 yrs £3,102
4 kW 3387 kWh 2032 kWh 1355 kWh £537 £135 £672 £8,611 12.8 yrs £4,836
5 kW 4233 kWh 2540 kWh 1693 kWh £671 £169 £840 £10,239 12.2 yrs £6,570
6 kW 5080 kWh 3048 kWh 2032 kWh £805 £203 £1,009 £11,867 11.8 yrs £8,304
7 kW 5927 kWh 3556 kWh 2371 kWh £940 £237 £1,177 £13,494 11.5 yrs £10,038
8 kW 6774 kWh 4064 kWh 2709 kWh £1,074 £271 £1,345 £15,122 11.2 yrs £11,772

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: £910, Upfront: £11,639, Break-even: 12.8 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1693 kWh 1185 kWh 508 kWh £313 £51 £364 £6,756 18.6 yrs £524
3 kW 2540 kWh 1778 kWh 762 kWh £470 £76 £546 £8,383 15.4 yrs £2,536
4 kW 3387 kWh 2371 kWh 1016 kWh £626 £102 £728 £10,011 13.8 yrs £4,548
5 kW 4233 kWh 2963 kWh 1270 kWh £783 £127 £910 £11,639 12.8 yrs £6,560
6 kW 5080 kWh 3556 kWh 1524 kWh £940 £152 £1,092 £13,267 12.1 yrs £8,572
7 kW 5927 kWh 4149 kWh 1778 kWh £1,096 £178 £1,274 £14,894 11.7 yrs £10,584
8 kW 6774 kWh 4741 kWh 2032 kWh £1,253 £203 £1,456 £16,522 11.3 yrs £12,596

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: £931, Upfront: £13,389, Break-even: 14.4 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1693 kWh 1236 kWh 457 kWh £327 £46 £372 £8,506 22.8 yrs £-1,059
3 kW 2540 kWh 1854 kWh 686 kWh £490 £69 £558 £10,133 18.1 yrs £1,036
4 kW 3387 kWh 2472 kWh 914 kWh £653 £91 £745 £11,761 15.8 yrs £3,132
5 kW 4233 kWh 3090 kWh 1143 kWh £816 £114 £931 £13,389 14.4 yrs £5,227
6 kW 5080 kWh 3709 kWh 1372 kWh £980 £137 £1,117 £15,017 13.4 yrs £7,322
7 kW 5927 kWh 4327 kWh 1600 kWh £1,143 £160 £1,303 £16,644 12.8 yrs £9,418
8 kW 6774 kWh 4945 kWh 1829 kWh £1,306 £183 £1,489 £18,272 12.3 yrs £11,513

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: £945, Upfront: £15,139, Break-even: 16.0 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1693 kWh 1270 kWh 423 kWh £336 £42 £378 £10,256 27.1 yrs £-2,698
3 kW 2540 kWh 1905 kWh 635 kWh £503 £64 £567 £11,883 21.0 yrs £-547
4 kW 3387 kWh 2540 kWh 847 kWh £671 £85 £756 £13,511 17.9 yrs £1,604
5 kW 4233 kWh 3175 kWh 1058 kWh £839 £106 £945 £15,139 16.0 yrs £3,755
6 kW 5080 kWh 3810 kWh 1270 kWh £1,007 £127 £1,134 £16,767 14.8 yrs £5,906
7 kW 5927 kWh 4445 kWh 1482 kWh £1,174 £148 £1,323 £18,394 13.9 yrs £8,057
8 kW 6774 kWh 5080 kWh 1693 kWh £1,342 £169 £1,512 £20,022 13.2 yrs £10,208

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: £959, Upfront: £17,589, Break-even: 18.3 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1693 kWh 1304 kWh 389 kWh £344 £39 £383 £12,706 33.1 yrs £-5,037
3 kW 2540 kWh 1956 kWh 584 kWh £517 £58 £575 £14,333 24.9 yrs £-2,830
4 kW 3387 kWh 2608 kWh 779 kWh £689 £78 £767 £15,961 20.8 yrs £-623
5 kW 4233 kWh 3260 kWh 974 kWh £861 £97 £959 £17,589 18.3 yrs £1,583
6 kW 5080 kWh 3912 kWh 1168 kWh £1,033 £117 £1,150 £19,217 16.7 yrs £3,790
7 kW 5927 kWh 4564 kWh 1363 kWh £1,206 £136 £1,342 £20,844 15.5 yrs £5,996
8 kW 6774 kWh 5216 kWh 1558 kWh £1,378 £156 £1,534 £22,472 14.7 yrs £8,203

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 Argyll and Bute

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.

Compare solar quotes before you sign

Check what MCS certification means

Understand DNO, G98 and G99 export limits

New quote check

Want a quote sanity check for PA41?

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 PA41

Figures below are tailored to PA41 — click through for full league tables.

Solar Payback Index Rank #2802 of 2996
13.0 years (UK avg 10.8 years)
~£561 /yr • £7,307 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #2712 of 2996
37.4% (UK avg 26.6%) drag on savings
£210 fixed • ~£561 /yr value
Aspect Penalty View ranking →
East −19.6% West −21.7%
Typical output loss versus a south-facing roof (lower is better)

Seasonal solar output in PA41

Monthly generation per kilowatt of solar panels

kWh 20 Jan 39 Feb 73 Mar 109 Apr 122 May 115 Jun 110 Jul 98 Aug 70 Sep 48 Oct 28 Nov 16 Dec
Best month Worst month Winter (Dec–Feb) Other months

Winter output: 35.3% 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 25 kWh per month; the average month produces around 71 kWh. So a typical 4 kW home system would generate roughly 100 kWh in winter, or 282 kWh in an average month.

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
26.42p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
57.55p/day
Local Sunshine
847kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~847 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

No EPC data available for this outcode

Coverage

Argyll and Bute (100%)

Areas Covered

Kintyre and the Islands

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 Northern Scotland

PA60 (Argyll and Bute)
≈22.8 km away
Local sunshine: ~864 kWh/kWp · +2% vs PA41
PA42 (Argyll and Bute)
≈28.4 km away
Local sunshine: ~890 kWh/kWp · +5% vs PA41
PA28 (Argyll and Bute)
≈29.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~916 kWh/kWp · +8% vs PA41
PA29 (Argyll and Bute)
≈29.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~820 kWh/kWp · -3% vs PA41
PA45 (Argyll and Bute)
≈30.8 km away
Local sunshine: ~855 kWh/kWp · +1% vs PA41
PA46 (Argyll and Bute)
≈31.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~848 kWh/kWp · +0% vs PA41

Similar sunshine across the UK

G60 (West Dunbartonshire)
~847 kWh/kWp · -0% vs PA41
KA5 (East Ayrshire)
~847 kWh/kWp · -0% vs PA41
KA15 (North Ayrshire)
~847 kWh/kWp · +0% vs PA41