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 845 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 25.8p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.
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: £690, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 14.7 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1690 kWh | 676 kWh | 1014 kWh | £175 | £101 | £276 | £4,069 | 14.7 yrs | £1,452 |
| 3 kW | 2535 kWh | 1014 kWh | 1521 kWh | £262 | £152 | £414 | £6,104 | 14.7 yrs | £2,178 |
| 4 kW | 3380 kWh | 1352 kWh | 2028 kWh | £349 | £203 | £552 | £8,138 | 14.7 yrs | £2,904 |
| 5 kW | 4225 kWh | 1690 kWh | 2535 kWh | £437 | £253 | £690 | £10,173 | 14.7 yrs | £3,630 |
| 6 kW | 5070 kWh | 2028 kWh | 3042 kWh | £524 | £304 | £828 | £12,207 | 14.7 yrs | £4,356 |
| 7 kW | 5915 kWh | 2366 kWh | 3549 kWh | £611 | £355 | £966 | £14,242 | 14.7 yrs | £5,083 |
| 8 kW | 6760 kWh | 2704 kWh | 4056 kWh | £699 | £406 | £1,104 | £16,276 | 14.7 yrs | £5,809 |
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: £824, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 14.9 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1690 kWh | 1014 kWh | 676 kWh | £262 | £68 | £330 | £6,169 | 18.7 yrs | £423 |
| 3 kW | 2535 kWh | 1521 kWh | 1014 kWh | £393 | £101 | £494 | £8,204 | 16.6 yrs | £1,684 |
| 4 kW | 3380 kWh | 2028 kWh | 1352 kWh | £524 | £135 | £659 | £10,238 | 15.5 yrs | £2,946 |
| 5 kW | 4225 kWh | 2535 kWh | 1690 kWh | £655 | £169 | £824 | £12,273 | 14.9 yrs | £4,207 |
| 6 kW | 5070 kWh | 3042 kWh | 2028 kWh | £786 | £203 | £989 | £14,307 | 14.5 yrs | £5,469 |
| 7 kW | 5915 kWh | 3549 kWh | 2366 kWh | £917 | £237 | £1,154 | £16,342 | 14.2 yrs | £6,730 |
| 8 kW | 6760 kWh | 4056 kWh | 2704 kWh | £1,048 | £270 | £1,318 | £18,376 | 13.9 yrs | £7,991 |
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: £891, Upfront: £13,673, Break-even: 15.3 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1690 kWh | 1183 kWh | 507 kWh | £306 | £51 | £356 | £7,569 | 21.2 yrs | £-442 |
| 3 kW | 2535 kWh | 1774 kWh | 760 kWh | £458 | £76 | £535 | £9,604 | 18.0 yrs | £1,087 |
| 4 kW | 3380 kWh | 2366 kWh | 1014 kWh | £611 | £101 | £713 | £11,638 | 16.3 yrs | £2,616 |
| 5 kW | 4225 kWh | 2957 kWh | 1267 kWh | £764 | £127 | £891 | £13,673 | 15.3 yrs | £4,146 |
| 6 kW | 5070 kWh | 3549 kWh | 1521 kWh | £917 | £152 | £1,069 | £15,707 | 14.7 yrs | £5,675 |
| 7 kW | 5915 kWh | 4140 kWh | 1774 kWh | £1,070 | £177 | £1,247 | £17,742 | 14.2 yrs | £7,204 |
| 8 kW | 6760 kWh | 4732 kWh | 2028 kWh | £1,223 | £203 | £1,425 | £19,776 | 13.9 yrs | £8,733 |
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: £911, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 16.9 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1690 kWh | 1234 kWh | 456 kWh | £319 | £46 | £364 | £9,319 | 25.6 yrs | £-2,031 |
| 3 kW | 2535 kWh | 1850 kWh | 684 kWh | £478 | £68 | £547 | £11,354 | 20.8 yrs | £-422 |
| 4 kW | 3380 kWh | 2467 kWh | 913 kWh | £638 | £91 | £729 | £13,388 | 18.4 yrs | £1,188 |
| 5 kW | 4225 kWh | 3084 kWh | 1141 kWh | £797 | £114 | £911 | £15,423 | 16.9 yrs | £2,797 |
| 6 kW | 5070 kWh | 3701 kWh | 1369 kWh | £956 | £137 | £1,093 | £17,457 | 16.0 yrs | £4,406 |
| 7 kW | 5915 kWh | 4318 kWh | 1597 kWh | £1,116 | £160 | £1,275 | £19,492 | 15.3 yrs | £6,016 |
| 8 kW | 6760 kWh | 4934 kWh | 1825 kWh | £1,275 | £183 | £1,458 | £21,526 | 14.8 yrs | £7,625 |
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: £924, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 18.6 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1690 kWh | 1267 kWh | 422 kWh | £327 | £42 | £370 | £11,069 | 29.9 yrs | £-3,674 |
| 3 kW | 2535 kWh | 1901 kWh | 634 kWh | £491 | £63 | £555 | £13,104 | 23.6 yrs | £-2,011 |
| 4 kW | 3380 kWh | 2535 kWh | 845 kWh | £655 | £84 | £739 | £15,138 | 20.5 yrs | £-348 |
| 5 kW | 4225 kWh | 3169 kWh | 1056 kWh | £819 | £106 | £924 | £17,173 | 18.6 yrs | £1,315 |
| 6 kW | 5070 kWh | 3802 kWh | 1267 kWh | £982 | £127 | £1,109 | £19,207 | 17.3 yrs | £2,978 |
| 7 kW | 5915 kWh | 4436 kWh | 1479 kWh | £1,146 | £148 | £1,294 | £21,242 | 16.4 yrs | £4,641 |
| 8 kW | 6760 kWh | 5070 kWh | 1690 kWh | £1,310 | £169 | £1,479 | £23,276 | 15.7 yrs | £6,304 |
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: £938, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 20.9 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1690 kWh | 1301 kWh | 389 kWh | £336 | £39 | £375 | £13,519 | 36.0 yrs | £-6,017 |
| 3 kW | 2535 kWh | 1952 kWh | 583 kWh | £504 | £58 | £563 | £15,554 | 27.6 yrs | £-4,301 |
| 4 kW | 3380 kWh | 2602 kWh | 777 kWh | £672 | £78 | £750 | £17,588 | 23.4 yrs | £-2,584 |
| 5 kW | 4225 kWh | 3253 kWh | 972 kWh | £841 | £97 | £938 | £19,623 | 20.9 yrs | £-868 |
| 6 kW | 5070 kWh | 3904 kWh | 1166 kWh | £1,009 | £117 | £1,125 | £21,657 | 19.2 yrs | £849 |
| 7 kW | 5915 kWh | 4554 kWh | 1360 kWh | £1,177 | £136 | £1,313 | £23,692 | 18.0 yrs | £2,565 |
| 8 kW | 6760 kWh | 5205 kWh | 1555 kWh | £1,345 | £155 | £1,500 | £25,726 | 17.1 yrs | £4,282 |
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.