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Solar Panels in PA45 (Argyll and Bute)

See if solar pays off for you in Argyll and Bute — price, savings and payback in under a minute (official UK data).

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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
14.1 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£10,173
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£720
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£7,816
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: Bigger systems don’t shorten payback—cost and savings rise together per kW.
  • 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

Costs: Battery prices are typically £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 27.06p/kWh with a 61.00p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 855 kWh/kW — 40 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 855 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 27.1p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.

Unit rate
27.1p/kWh
Standing charge
61.0p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
855 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: £720, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 14.1 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1711 kWh 684 kWh 1026 kWh £185 £103 £288 £4,069 14.1 yrs £1,687
3 kW 2566 kWh 1026 kWh 1540 kWh £278 £154 £432 £6,104 14.1 yrs £2,531
4 kW 3422 kWh 1369 kWh 2053 kWh £370 £205 £576 £8,138 14.1 yrs £3,375
5 kW 4277 kWh 1711 kWh 2566 kWh £463 £257 £720 £10,173 14.1 yrs £4,219
6 kW 5132 kWh 2053 kWh 3079 kWh £556 £308 £863 £12,207 14.1 yrs £5,062
7 kW 5988 kWh 2395 kWh 3593 kWh £648 £359 £1,007 £14,242 14.1 yrs £5,906
8 kW 6843 kWh 2737 kWh 4106 kWh £741 £411 £1,151 £16,276 14.1 yrs £6,750

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 2,035, battery £/kWh = 700.

3 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £865, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 14.2 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1711 kWh 1026 kWh 684 kWh £278 £68 £346 £6,169 17.8 yrs £755
3 kW 2566 kWh 1540 kWh 1026 kWh £417 £103 £519 £8,204 15.8 yrs £2,182
4 kW 3422 kWh 2053 kWh 1369 kWh £556 £137 £692 £10,238 14.8 yrs £3,610
5 kW 4277 kWh 2566 kWh 1711 kWh £694 £171 £865 £12,273 14.2 yrs £5,037
6 kW 5132 kWh 3079 kWh 2053 kWh £833 £205 £1,039 £14,307 13.8 yrs £6,465
7 kW 5988 kWh 3593 kWh 2395 kWh £972 £240 £1,212 £16,342 13.5 yrs £7,892
8 kW 6843 kWh 4106 kWh 2737 kWh £1,111 £274 £1,385 £18,376 13.3 yrs £9,319

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 2,035, battery £/kWh = 700.

5 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £938, Upfront: £13,673, Break-even: 14.6 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1711 kWh 1198 kWh 513 kWh £324 £51 £375 £7,569 20.2 yrs £-61
3 kW 2566 kWh 1796 kWh 770 kWh £486 £77 £563 £9,604 17.1 yrs £1,658
4 kW 3422 kWh 2395 kWh 1026 kWh £648 £103 £751 £11,638 15.5 yrs £3,377
5 kW 4277 kWh 2994 kWh 1283 kWh £810 £128 £938 £13,673 14.6 yrs £5,096
6 kW 5132 kWh 3593 kWh 1540 kWh £972 £154 £1,126 £15,707 13.9 yrs £6,816
7 kW 5988 kWh 4191 kWh 1796 kWh £1,134 £180 £1,314 £17,742 13.5 yrs £8,535
8 kW 6843 kWh 4790 kWh 2053 kWh £1,296 £205 £1,502 £19,776 13.2 yrs £10,254

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 2,035, battery £/kWh = 700.

7.5 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £960, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 16.1 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1711 kWh 1249 kWh 462 kWh £338 £46 £384 £9,319 24.3 yrs £-1,636
3 kW 2566 kWh 1873 kWh 693 kWh £507 £69 £576 £11,354 19.7 yrs £171
4 kW 3422 kWh 2498 kWh 924 kWh £676 £92 £768 £13,388 17.4 yrs £1,977
5 kW 4277 kWh 3122 kWh 1155 kWh £845 £115 £960 £15,423 16.1 yrs £3,784
6 kW 5132 kWh 3747 kWh 1386 kWh £1,014 £139 £1,152 £17,457 15.1 yrs £5,591
7 kW 5988 kWh 4371 kWh 1617 kWh £1,183 £162 £1,344 £19,492 14.5 yrs £7,398
8 kW 6843 kWh 4995 kWh 1848 kWh £1,352 £185 £1,537 £21,526 14.0 yrs £9,205

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 2,035, battery £/kWh = 700.

10 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £975, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 17.6 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1711 kWh 1283 kWh 428 kWh £347 £43 £390 £11,069 28.4 yrs £-3,270
3 kW 2566 kWh 1925 kWh 642 kWh £521 £64 £585 £13,104 22.4 yrs £-1,404
4 kW 3422 kWh 2566 kWh 855 kWh £694 £86 £780 £15,138 19.4 yrs £461
5 kW 4277 kWh 3208 kWh 1069 kWh £868 £107 £975 £17,173 17.6 yrs £2,326
6 kW 5132 kWh 3849 kWh 1283 kWh £1,042 £128 £1,170 £19,207 16.4 yrs £4,191
7 kW 5988 kWh 4491 kWh 1497 kWh £1,215 £150 £1,365 £21,242 15.6 yrs £6,056
8 kW 6843 kWh 5132 kWh 1711 kWh £1,389 £171 £1,560 £23,276 14.9 yrs £7,922

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 2,035, battery £/kWh = 700.

13.5 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £990, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 19.8 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1711 kWh 1317 kWh 393 kWh £356 £39 £396 £13,519 34.2 yrs £-5,603
3 kW 2566 kWh 1976 kWh 590 kWh £535 £59 £594 £15,554 26.2 yrs £-3,679
4 kW 3422 kWh 2635 kWh 787 kWh £713 £79 £792 £17,588 22.2 yrs £-1,756
5 kW 4277 kWh 3293 kWh 984 kWh £891 £98 £990 £19,623 19.8 yrs £168
6 kW 5132 kWh 3952 kWh 1180 kWh £1,069 £118 £1,187 £21,657 18.2 yrs £2,092
7 kW 5988 kWh 4611 kWh 1377 kWh £1,248 £138 £1,385 £23,692 17.1 yrs £4,015
8 kW 6843 kWh 5269 kWh 1574 kWh £1,426 £157 £1,583 £25,726 16.2 yrs £5,939

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 2,035, 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.

Insights for PA45

Figures below are tailored to PA45 — click through for full league tables.

Solar Payback Index Rank #2574 of 2997
12.3 years (UK avg 11.3 years)
~£663 /yr • £8,138 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #2791 of 2997
33.6% (UK avg 21.7%) drag on savings
£223 fixed • ~£663 /yr value

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
27.06p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
61.00p/day
Local Sunshine
855kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~855 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, Q4 2025

Installation costs: MCS certified installer data, March 2025

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

PA46 (Argyll and Bute)
≈4.8 km away
Local sunshine: ~848 kWh/kWp · -1% vs PA45
PA44 (Argyll and Bute)
≈6.3 km away
Local sunshine: ~866 kWh/kWp · +1% vs PA45
PA43 (Argyll and Bute)
≈10.2 km away
Local sunshine: ~866 kWh/kWp · +1% vs PA45
PA60 (Argyll and Bute)
≈13.8 km away
Local sunshine: ~864 kWh/kWp · +1% vs PA45
PA49 (Argyll and Bute)
≈13.9 km away
Local sunshine: ~905 kWh/kWp · +6% vs PA45
PA48 (Argyll and Bute)
≈15.9 km away
Local sunshine: ~880 kWh/kWp · +3% vs PA45

Similar sunshine across the UK

M9 (Manchester)
~856 kWh/kWp · +0% vs PA45
M18 (Manchester)
~856 kWh/kWp · +0% vs PA45
BB5 (Hyndburn)
~855 kWh/kWp · -0% vs PA45