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 818 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.
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: £688, Upfront: £10,173, 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 | 1635 kWh | 654 kWh | 981 kWh | £177 | £98 | £275 | £4,069 | 14.8 yrs | £1,434 |
| 3 kW | 2453 kWh | 981 kWh | 1472 kWh | £266 | £147 | £413 | £6,104 | 14.8 yrs | £2,151 |
| 4 kW | 3271 kWh | 1308 kWh | 1962 kWh | £354 | £196 | £550 | £8,138 | 14.8 yrs | £2,867 |
| 5 kW | 4088 kWh | 1635 kWh | 2453 kWh | £443 | £245 | £688 | £10,173 | 14.8 yrs | £3,584 |
| 6 kW | 4906 kWh | 1962 kWh | 2944 kWh | £531 | £294 | £825 | £12,207 | 14.8 yrs | £4,301 |
| 7 kW | 5724 kWh | 2290 kWh | 3434 kWh | £620 | £343 | £963 | £14,242 | 14.8 yrs | £5,018 |
| 8 kW | 6542 kWh | 2617 kWh | 3925 kWh | £708 | £392 | £1,101 | £16,276 | 14.8 yrs | £5,735 |
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: £827, Upfront: £12,273, 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 | 1635 kWh | 981 kWh | 654 kWh | £266 | £65 | £331 | £6,169 | 18.6 yrs | £450 |
| 3 kW | 2453 kWh | 1472 kWh | 981 kWh | £398 | £98 | £496 | £8,204 | 16.5 yrs | £1,725 |
| 4 kW | 3271 kWh | 1962 kWh | 1308 kWh | £531 | £131 | £662 | £10,238 | 15.5 yrs | £2,999 |
| 5 kW | 4088 kWh | 2453 kWh | 1635 kWh | £664 | £164 | £827 | £12,273 | 14.8 yrs | £4,274 |
| 6 kW | 4906 kWh | 2944 kWh | 1962 kWh | £797 | £196 | £993 | £14,307 | 14.4 yrs | £5,549 |
| 7 kW | 5724 kWh | 3434 kWh | 2290 kWh | £929 | £229 | £1,158 | £16,342 | 14.1 yrs | £6,824 |
| 8 kW | 6542 kWh | 3925 kWh | 2617 kWh | £1,062 | £262 | £1,324 | £18,376 | 13.9 yrs | £8,099 |
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: £897, Upfront: £13,673, Break-even: 15.2 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1635 kWh | 1145 kWh | 491 kWh | £310 | £49 | £359 | £7,569 | 21.1 yrs | £-392 |
| 3 kW | 2453 kWh | 1717 kWh | 736 kWh | £465 | £74 | £538 | £9,604 | 17.8 yrs | £1,162 |
| 4 kW | 3271 kWh | 2290 kWh | 981 kWh | £620 | £98 | £718 | £11,638 | 16.2 yrs | £2,715 |
| 5 kW | 4088 kWh | 2862 kWh | 1227 kWh | £774 | £123 | £897 | £13,673 | 15.2 yrs | £4,269 |
| 6 kW | 4906 kWh | 3434 kWh | 1472 kWh | £929 | £147 | £1,077 | £15,707 | 14.6 yrs | £5,823 |
| 7 kW | 5724 kWh | 4007 kWh | 1717 kWh | £1,084 | £172 | £1,256 | £17,742 | 14.1 yrs | £7,377 |
| 8 kW | 6542 kWh | 4579 kWh | 1962 kWh | £1,239 | £196 | £1,435 | £19,776 | 13.8 yrs | £8,931 |
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: £918, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 16.8 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1635 kWh | 1194 kWh | 442 kWh | £323 | £44 | £367 | £9,319 | 25.4 yrs | £-1,975 |
| 3 kW | 2453 kWh | 1791 kWh | 662 kWh | £485 | £66 | £551 | £11,354 | 20.6 yrs | £-337 |
| 4 kW | 3271 kWh | 2388 kWh | 883 kWh | £646 | £88 | £734 | £13,388 | 18.2 yrs | £1,300 |
| 5 kW | 4088 kWh | 2985 kWh | 1104 kWh | £808 | £110 | £918 | £15,423 | 16.8 yrs | £2,938 |
| 6 kW | 4906 kWh | 3581 kWh | 1325 kWh | £969 | £132 | £1,102 | £17,457 | 15.8 yrs | £4,575 |
| 7 kW | 5724 kWh | 4178 kWh | 1545 kWh | £1,131 | £155 | £1,285 | £19,492 | 15.2 yrs | £6,213 |
| 8 kW | 6542 kWh | 4775 kWh | 1766 kWh | £1,292 | £177 | £1,469 | £21,526 | 14.7 yrs | £7,850 |
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: £932, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 18.4 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1635 kWh | 1227 kWh | 409 kWh | £332 | £41 | £373 | £11,069 | 29.7 yrs | £-3,613 |
| 3 kW | 2453 kWh | 1840 kWh | 613 kWh | £498 | £61 | £559 | £13,104 | 23.4 yrs | £-1,920 |
| 4 kW | 3271 kWh | 2453 kWh | 818 kWh | £664 | £82 | £746 | £15,138 | 20.3 yrs | £-227 |
| 5 kW | 4088 kWh | 3066 kWh | 1022 kWh | £830 | £102 | £932 | £17,173 | 18.4 yrs | £1,467 |
| 6 kW | 4906 kWh | 3680 kWh | 1227 kWh | £996 | £123 | £1,118 | £19,207 | 17.2 yrs | £3,160 |
| 7 kW | 5724 kWh | 4293 kWh | 1431 kWh | £1,162 | £143 | £1,305 | £21,242 | 16.3 yrs | £4,853 |
| 8 kW | 6542 kWh | 4906 kWh | 1635 kWh | £1,328 | £164 | £1,491 | £23,276 | 15.6 yrs | £6,547 |
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: £946, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 20.7 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1635 kWh | 1259 kWh | 376 kWh | £341 | £38 | £378 | £13,519 | 35.7 yrs | £-5,952 |
| 3 kW | 2453 kWh | 1889 kWh | 564 kWh | £511 | £56 | £568 | £15,554 | 27.4 yrs | £-4,203 |
| 4 kW | 3271 kWh | 2518 kWh | 752 kWh | £682 | £75 | £757 | £17,588 | 23.2 yrs | £-2,453 |
| 5 kW | 4088 kWh | 3148 kWh | 940 kWh | £852 | £94 | £946 | £19,623 | 20.7 yrs | £-704 |
| 6 kW | 4906 kWh | 3778 kWh | 1128 kWh | £1,022 | £113 | £1,135 | £21,657 | 19.1 yrs | £1,045 |
| 7 kW | 5724 kWh | 4407 kWh | 1316 kWh | £1,193 | £132 | £1,324 | £23,692 | 17.9 yrs | £2,794 |
| 8 kW | 6542 kWh | 5037 kWh | 1505 kWh | £1,363 | £150 | £1,513 | £25,726 | 17.0 yrs | £4,543 |
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.