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 804 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: £676, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 15.0 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1608 kWh | 643 kWh | 965 kWh | £174 | £96 | £270 | £4,069 | 15.0 yrs | £1,340 |
| 3 kW | 2411 kWh | 965 kWh | 1447 kWh | £261 | £145 | £406 | £6,104 | 15.0 yrs | £2,010 |
| 4 kW | 3215 kWh | 1286 kWh | 1929 kWh | £348 | £193 | £541 | £8,138 | 15.0 yrs | £2,680 |
| 5 kW | 4019 kWh | 1608 kWh | 2411 kWh | £435 | £241 | £676 | £10,173 | 15.0 yrs | £3,350 |
| 6 kW | 4823 kWh | 1929 kWh | 2894 kWh | £522 | £289 | £811 | £12,207 | 15.0 yrs | £4,020 |
| 7 kW | 5626 kWh | 2251 kWh | 3376 kWh | £609 | £338 | £947 | £14,242 | 15.0 yrs | £4,690 |
| 8 kW | 6430 kWh | 2572 kWh | 3858 kWh | £696 | £386 | £1,082 | £16,276 | 15.0 yrs | £5,360 |
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: £813, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 15.1 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1608 kWh | 965 kWh | 643 kWh | £261 | £64 | £325 | £6,169 | 19.0 yrs | £337 |
| 3 kW | 2411 kWh | 1447 kWh | 965 kWh | £392 | £96 | £488 | £8,204 | 16.8 yrs | £1,556 |
| 4 kW | 3215 kWh | 1929 kWh | 1286 kWh | £522 | £129 | £651 | £10,238 | 15.7 yrs | £2,774 |
| 5 kW | 4019 kWh | 2411 kWh | 1608 kWh | £653 | £161 | £813 | £12,273 | 15.1 yrs | £3,993 |
| 6 kW | 4823 kWh | 2894 kWh | 1929 kWh | £783 | £193 | £976 | £14,307 | 14.7 yrs | £5,211 |
| 7 kW | 5626 kWh | 3376 kWh | 2251 kWh | £914 | £225 | £1,139 | £16,342 | 14.4 yrs | £6,430 |
| 8 kW | 6430 kWh | 3858 kWh | 2572 kWh | £1,044 | £257 | £1,301 | £18,376 | 14.1 yrs | £7,648 |
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: £882, Upfront: £13,673, Break-even: 15.5 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1608 kWh | 1125 kWh | 482 kWh | £305 | £48 | £353 | £7,569 | 21.5 yrs | £-514 |
| 3 kW | 2411 kWh | 1688 kWh | 723 kWh | £457 | £72 | £529 | £9,604 | 18.2 yrs | £978 |
| 4 kW | 3215 kWh | 2251 kWh | 965 kWh | £609 | £96 | £705 | £11,638 | 16.5 yrs | £2,471 |
| 5 kW | 4019 kWh | 2813 kWh | 1206 kWh | £761 | £121 | £882 | £13,673 | 15.5 yrs | £3,964 |
| 6 kW | 4823 kWh | 3376 kWh | 1447 kWh | £914 | £145 | £1,058 | £15,707 | 14.8 yrs | £5,457 |
| 7 kW | 5626 kWh | 3939 kWh | 1688 kWh | £1,066 | £169 | £1,235 | £17,742 | 14.4 yrs | £6,950 |
| 8 kW | 6430 kWh | 4501 kWh | 1929 kWh | £1,218 | £193 | £1,411 | £19,776 | 14.0 yrs | £8,442 |
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: £902, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 17.1 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1608 kWh | 1174 kWh | 434 kWh | £318 | £43 | £361 | £9,319 | 25.8 yrs | £-2,100 |
| 3 kW | 2411 kWh | 1760 kWh | 651 kWh | £476 | £65 | £541 | £11,354 | 21.0 yrs | £-525 |
| 4 kW | 3215 kWh | 2347 kWh | 868 kWh | £635 | £87 | £722 | £13,388 | 18.5 yrs | £1,050 |
| 5 kW | 4019 kWh | 2934 kWh | 1085 kWh | £794 | £109 | £902 | £15,423 | 17.1 yrs | £2,625 |
| 6 kW | 4823 kWh | 3521 kWh | 1302 kWh | £953 | £130 | £1,083 | £17,457 | 16.1 yrs | £4,200 |
| 7 kW | 5626 kWh | 4107 kWh | 1519 kWh | £1,111 | £152 | £1,263 | £19,492 | 15.4 yrs | £5,776 |
| 8 kW | 6430 kWh | 4694 kWh | 1736 kWh | £1,270 | £174 | £1,444 | £21,526 | 14.9 yrs | £7,351 |
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: £916, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 18.7 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1608 kWh | 1206 kWh | 402 kWh | £326 | £40 | £366 | £11,069 | 30.2 yrs | £-3,740 |
| 3 kW | 2411 kWh | 1809 kWh | 603 kWh | £489 | £60 | £550 | £13,104 | 23.8 yrs | £-2,110 |
| 4 kW | 3215 kWh | 2411 kWh | 804 kWh | £653 | £80 | £733 | £15,138 | 20.7 yrs | £-480 |
| 5 kW | 4019 kWh | 3014 kWh | 1005 kWh | £816 | £100 | £916 | £17,173 | 18.7 yrs | £1,150 |
| 6 kW | 4823 kWh | 3617 kWh | 1206 kWh | £979 | £121 | £1,099 | £19,207 | 17.5 yrs | £2,780 |
| 7 kW | 5626 kWh | 4220 kWh | 1407 kWh | £1,142 | £141 | £1,283 | £21,242 | 16.6 yrs | £4,409 |
| 8 kW | 6430 kWh | 4823 kWh | 1608 kWh | £1,305 | £161 | £1,466 | £23,276 | 15.9 yrs | £6,039 |
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: £930, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 21.1 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1608 kWh | 1238 kWh | 370 kWh | £335 | £37 | £372 | £13,519 | 36.3 yrs | £-6,080 |
| 3 kW | 2411 kWh | 1857 kWh | 555 kWh | £502 | £55 | £558 | £15,554 | 27.9 yrs | £-4,396 |
| 4 kW | 3215 kWh | 2476 kWh | 739 kWh | £670 | £74 | £744 | £17,588 | 23.6 yrs | £-2,711 |
| 5 kW | 4019 kWh | 3095 kWh | 924 kWh | £837 | £92 | £930 | £19,623 | 21.1 yrs | £-1,026 |
| 6 kW | 4823 kWh | 3713 kWh | 1109 kWh | £1,005 | £111 | £1,116 | £21,657 | 19.4 yrs | £659 |
| 7 kW | 5626 kWh | 4332 kWh | 1294 kWh | £1,172 | £129 | £1,302 | £23,692 | 18.2 yrs | £2,343 |
| 8 kW | 6430 kWh | 4951 kWh | 1479 kWh | £1,340 | £148 | £1,488 | £25,726 | 17.3 yrs | £4,028 |
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.