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 830 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: £698, Upfront: £10,173, 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 | 1660 kWh | 664 kWh | 996 kWh | £180 | £100 | £279 | £4,069 | 14.6 yrs | £1,515 |
| 3 kW | 2489 kWh | 996 kWh | 1494 kWh | £269 | £149 | £419 | £6,104 | 14.6 yrs | £2,273 |
| 4 kW | 3319 kWh | 1328 kWh | 1992 kWh | £359 | £199 | £558 | £8,138 | 14.6 yrs | £3,031 |
| 5 kW | 4149 kWh | 1660 kWh | 2489 kWh | £449 | £249 | £698 | £10,173 | 14.6 yrs | £3,788 |
| 6 kW | 4979 kWh | 1992 kWh | 2987 kWh | £539 | £299 | £838 | £12,207 | 14.6 yrs | £4,546 |
| 7 kW | 5809 kWh | 2323 kWh | 3485 kWh | £629 | £349 | £977 | £14,242 | 14.6 yrs | £5,303 |
| 8 kW | 6638 kWh | 2655 kWh | 3983 kWh | £719 | £398 | £1,117 | £16,276 | 14.6 yrs | £6,061 |
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: £840, Upfront: £12,273, 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 | 1660 kWh | 996 kWh | 664 kWh | £269 | £66 | £336 | £6,169 | 18.4 yrs | £548 |
| 3 kW | 2489 kWh | 1494 kWh | 996 kWh | £404 | £100 | £504 | £8,204 | 16.3 yrs | £1,872 |
| 4 kW | 3319 kWh | 1992 kWh | 1328 kWh | £539 | £133 | £672 | £10,238 | 15.2 yrs | £3,196 |
| 5 kW | 4149 kWh | 2489 kWh | 1660 kWh | £674 | £166 | £840 | £12,273 | 14.6 yrs | £4,519 |
| 6 kW | 4979 kWh | 2987 kWh | 1992 kWh | £808 | £199 | £1,008 | £14,307 | 14.2 yrs | £5,843 |
| 7 kW | 5809 kWh | 3485 kWh | 2323 kWh | £943 | £232 | £1,175 | £16,342 | 13.9 yrs | £7,167 |
| 8 kW | 6638 kWh | 3983 kWh | 2655 kWh | £1,078 | £266 | £1,343 | £18,376 | 13.7 yrs | £8,491 |
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: £910, Upfront: £13,673, 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 | 1660 kWh | 1162 kWh | 498 kWh | £314 | £50 | £364 | £7,569 | 20.8 yrs | £-286 |
| 3 kW | 2489 kWh | 1743 kWh | 747 kWh | £472 | £75 | £546 | £9,604 | 17.6 yrs | £1,321 |
| 4 kW | 3319 kWh | 2323 kWh | 996 kWh | £629 | £100 | £728 | £11,638 | 16.0 yrs | £2,928 |
| 5 kW | 4149 kWh | 2904 kWh | 1245 kWh | £786 | £124 | £910 | £13,673 | 15.0 yrs | £4,535 |
| 6 kW | 4979 kWh | 3485 kWh | 1494 kWh | £943 | £149 | £1,092 | £15,707 | 14.4 yrs | £6,142 |
| 7 kW | 5809 kWh | 4066 kWh | 1743 kWh | £1,100 | £174 | £1,275 | £17,742 | 13.9 yrs | £7,749 |
| 8 kW | 6638 kWh | 4647 kWh | 1992 kWh | £1,257 | £199 | £1,457 | £19,776 | 13.6 yrs | £9,356 |
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: £932, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 16.6 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1660 kWh | 1212 kWh | 448 kWh | £328 | £45 | £373 | £9,319 | 25.0 yrs | £-1,866 |
| 3 kW | 2489 kWh | 1817 kWh | 672 kWh | £492 | £67 | £559 | £11,354 | 20.3 yrs | £-174 |
| 4 kW | 3319 kWh | 2423 kWh | 896 kWh | £656 | £90 | £745 | £13,388 | 18.0 yrs | £1,518 |
| 5 kW | 4149 kWh | 3029 kWh | 1120 kWh | £820 | £112 | £932 | £15,423 | 16.6 yrs | £3,210 |
| 6 kW | 4979 kWh | 3635 kWh | 1344 kWh | £984 | £134 | £1,118 | £17,457 | 15.6 yrs | £4,902 |
| 7 kW | 5809 kWh | 4240 kWh | 1568 kWh | £1,147 | £157 | £1,304 | £19,492 | 14.9 yrs | £6,594 |
| 8 kW | 6638 kWh | 4846 kWh | 1792 kWh | £1,311 | £179 | £1,491 | £21,526 | 14.4 yrs | £8,286 |
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: £946, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 18.2 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1660 kWh | 1245 kWh | 415 kWh | £337 | £41 | £378 | £11,069 | 29.3 yrs | £-3,503 |
| 3 kW | 2489 kWh | 1867 kWh | 622 kWh | £505 | £62 | £567 | £13,104 | 23.1 yrs | £-1,754 |
| 4 kW | 3319 kWh | 2489 kWh | 830 kWh | £674 | £83 | £757 | £15,138 | 20.0 yrs | £-6 |
| 5 kW | 4149 kWh | 3112 kWh | 1037 kWh | £842 | £104 | £946 | £17,173 | 18.2 yrs | £1,743 |
| 6 kW | 4979 kWh | 3734 kWh | 1245 kWh | £1,010 | £124 | £1,135 | £19,207 | 16.9 yrs | £3,492 |
| 7 kW | 5809 kWh | 4357 kWh | 1452 kWh | £1,179 | £145 | £1,324 | £21,242 | 16.0 yrs | £5,240 |
| 8 kW | 6638 kWh | 4979 kWh | 1660 kWh | £1,347 | £166 | £1,513 | £23,276 | 15.4 yrs | £6,989 |
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: £960, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 20.4 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1660 kWh | 1278 kWh | 382 kWh | £346 | £38 | £384 | £13,519 | 35.2 yrs | £-5,840 |
| 3 kW | 2489 kWh | 1917 kWh | 573 kWh | £519 | £57 | £576 | £15,554 | 27.0 yrs | £-4,034 |
| 4 kW | 3319 kWh | 2556 kWh | 763 kWh | £692 | £76 | £768 | £17,588 | 22.9 yrs | £-2,229 |
| 5 kW | 4149 kWh | 3195 kWh | 954 kWh | £865 | £95 | £960 | £19,623 | 20.4 yrs | £-424 |
| 6 kW | 4979 kWh | 3834 kWh | 1145 kWh | £1,037 | £115 | £1,152 | £21,657 | 18.8 yrs | £1,381 |
| 7 kW | 5809 kWh | 4473 kWh | 1336 kWh | £1,210 | £134 | £1,344 | £23,692 | 17.6 yrs | £3,187 |
| 8 kW | 6638 kWh | 5112 kWh | 1527 kWh | £1,383 | £153 | £1,536 | £25,726 | 16.7 yrs | £4,992 |
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.