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Solar panel cost in Cornwall (PL12)

See realistic solar installation costs, savings and payback for PL12 (Cornwall) in under a minute using official UK data. Start with the calculator, then get a no-obligation quote from an MCS-certified installer. You can also ask the SolarByPostcode assistant to sanity-check your roof, bills and plans.

Solar Calculator

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
9.4 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£8,139
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£861
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£13,395
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: The official cost per kW is lower above 4 kW, so a 5–6 kW system can pay back a little faster than a 3–4 kW system on otherwise identical assumptions.
  • 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

Panel costs: Uses March 2026 TIC mean installation costs: £1,827/kW up to 4 kW and £1,628/kW above 4 kW.

Other costs: Battery prices are modelled at £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 Southern Western, the current unit rate is 26.39p/kWh with a 57.89p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 1041 kWh/kW — 27 above the regional median (1013).

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 1041 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 26.4p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.

Unit rate
26.4p/kWh
Standing charge
57.9p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
1041 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: £861, Upfront: £8,139, Break-even: 9.4 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2081 kWh 832 kWh 1249 kWh £220 £125 £345 £3,256 9.4 yrs £3,635
3 kW 3122 kWh 1249 kWh 1873 kWh £330 £187 £517 £4,883 9.4 yrs £5,453
4 kW 4162 kWh 1665 kWh 2497 kWh £439 £250 £689 £6,511 9.4 yrs £7,270
5 kW 5203 kWh 2081 kWh 3122 kWh £549 £312 £861 £8,139 9.4 yrs £9,088
6 kW 6243 kWh 2497 kWh 3746 kWh £659 £375 £1,034 £9,767 9.4 yrs £10,905
7 kW 7284 kWh 2913 kWh 4370 kWh £769 £437 £1,206 £11,394 9.4 yrs £12,723
8 kW 8324 kWh 3330 kWh 4994 kWh £879 £499 £1,378 £13,022 9.4 yrs £14,541

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,628, battery £/kWh = 700.

3 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £1,032, Upfront: £10,239, Break-even: 9.9 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2081 kWh 1249 kWh 832 kWh £330 £83 £413 £5,356 13.0 yrs £2,899
3 kW 3122 kWh 1873 kWh 1249 kWh £494 £125 £619 £6,983 11.3 yrs £5,399
4 kW 4162 kWh 2497 kWh 1665 kWh £659 £166 £825 £8,611 10.4 yrs £7,899
5 kW 5203 kWh 3122 kWh 2081 kWh £824 £208 £1,032 £10,239 9.9 yrs £10,399
6 kW 6243 kWh 3746 kWh 2497 kWh £989 £250 £1,238 £11,867 9.6 yrs £12,898
7 kW 7284 kWh 4370 kWh 2913 kWh £1,153 £291 £1,445 £13,494 9.3 yrs £15,398
8 kW 8324 kWh 4994 kWh 3330 kWh £1,318 £333 £1,651 £15,122 9.2 yrs £17,898

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,628, battery £/kWh = 700.

5 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £1,117, Upfront: £11,639, Break-even: 10.4 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2081 kWh 1457 kWh 624 kWh £384 £62 £447 £6,756 15.1 yrs £2,182
3 kW 3122 kWh 2185 kWh 936 kWh £577 £94 £670 £8,383 12.5 yrs £5,022
4 kW 4162 kWh 2913 kWh 1249 kWh £769 £125 £894 £10,011 11.2 yrs £7,863
5 kW 5203 kWh 3642 kWh 1561 kWh £961 £156 £1,117 £11,639 10.4 yrs £10,704
6 kW 6243 kWh 4370 kWh 1873 kWh £1,153 £187 £1,341 £13,267 9.9 yrs £13,545
7 kW 7284 kWh 5098 kWh 2185 kWh £1,345 £219 £1,564 £14,894 9.5 yrs £16,386
8 kW 8324 kWh 5827 kWh 2497 kWh £1,538 £250 £1,787 £16,522 9.2 yrs £19,227

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,628, battery £/kWh = 700.

7.5 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £1,143, Upfront: £13,389, Break-even: 11.7 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2081 kWh 1519 kWh 562 kWh £401 £56 £457 £8,506 18.6 yrs £636
3 kW 3122 kWh 2279 kWh 843 kWh £601 £84 £686 £10,133 14.8 yrs £3,579
4 kW 4162 kWh 3038 kWh 1124 kWh £802 £112 £914 £11,761 12.9 yrs £6,523
5 kW 5203 kWh 3798 kWh 1405 kWh £1,002 £140 £1,143 £13,389 11.7 yrs £9,466
6 kW 6243 kWh 4557 kWh 1686 kWh £1,203 £169 £1,371 £15,017 11.0 yrs £12,409
7 kW 7284 kWh 5317 kWh 1967 kWh £1,403 £197 £1,600 £16,644 10.4 yrs £15,352
8 kW 8324 kWh 6077 kWh 2248 kWh £1,604 £225 £1,828 £18,272 10.0 yrs £18,295

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,628, battery £/kWh = 700.

10 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £1,160, Upfront: £15,139, Break-even: 13.1 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2081 kWh 1561 kWh 520 kWh £412 £52 £464 £10,256 22.1 yrs £-977
3 kW 3122 kWh 2341 kWh 780 kWh £618 £78 £696 £11,883 17.1 yrs £2,034
4 kW 4162 kWh 3122 kWh 1041 kWh £824 £104 £928 £13,511 14.6 yrs £5,045
5 kW 5203 kWh 3902 kWh 1301 kWh £1,030 £130 £1,160 £15,139 13.1 yrs £8,057
6 kW 6243 kWh 4682 kWh 1561 kWh £1,236 £156 £1,392 £16,767 12.0 yrs £11,068
7 kW 7284 kWh 5463 kWh 1821 kWh £1,442 £182 £1,624 £18,394 11.3 yrs £14,079
8 kW 8324 kWh 6243 kWh 2081 kWh £1,648 £208 £1,856 £20,022 10.8 yrs £17,091

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,628, battery £/kWh = 700.

13.5 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £1,177, Upfront: £17,589, 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 2081 kWh 1602 kWh 479 kWh £423 £48 £471 £12,706 27.0 yrs £-3,291
3 kW 3122 kWh 2404 kWh 718 kWh £634 £72 £706 £14,333 20.3 yrs £-211
4 kW 4162 kWh 3205 kWh 957 kWh £846 £96 £941 £15,961 17.0 yrs £2,868
5 kW 5203 kWh 4006 kWh 1197 kWh £1,057 £120 £1,177 £17,589 14.9 yrs £5,948
6 kW 6243 kWh 4807 kWh 1436 kWh £1,269 £144 £1,412 £19,217 13.6 yrs £9,027
7 kW 7284 kWh 5608 kWh 1675 kWh £1,480 £168 £1,648 £20,844 12.7 yrs £12,107
8 kW 8324 kWh 6410 kWh 1915 kWh £1,691 £191 £1,883 £22,472 11.9 yrs £15,187

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,628, 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.

Before you request quotes in Cornwall

Use the numbers above to sanity-check installer quotes. The main things to compare are system size, battery assumptions, payback claims, MCS certification, DNO paperwork and export assumptions.

Compare solar quotes before you sign

Check what MCS certification means

Understand DNO, G98 and G99 export limits

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This is a practical sanity-check request, not an instant quote promise. The Blue Ape quote route above remains available if you already want installer introductions.

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Insights for PL12

Figures below are tailored to PL12 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #870 of 2182
5.2 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~11 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #240 of 2996
9.4 years (UK avg 10.8 years)
~£862 /yr • £8,139 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #1318 of 2996
24.5% (UK avg 26.6%) drag on savings
£211 fixed • ~£862 /yr value
Aspect Penalty View ranking →
East −20.1% West −20.5%
Typical output loss versus a south-facing roof (lower is better)

Seasonal solar output in PL12

Monthly generation per kilowatt of solar panels

kWh 40 Jan 57 Feb 90 Mar 119 Apr 127 May 126 Jun 124 Jul 114 Aug 96 Sep 66 Oct 47 Nov 34 Dec
Best month Worst month Winter (Dec–Feb) Other months

Winter output: 50.5% of an average month (Dec–Feb)

Best / worst month: May / Dec

These figures show output per kilowatt (kW) of panels installed. In winter, a 1 kW system here produces about 44 kWh per month; the average month produces around 87 kWh. So a typical 4 kW home system would generate roughly 175 kWh in winter, or 347 kWh in an average month.

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
26.39p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
57.89p/day
Local Sunshine
1041kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~1041 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

Houses: 71% • Flats: 12% • Bungalows: 16% Based on 5,176 properties

Coverage

Cornwall (100%)

Areas Covered

Saltash Essa, Saltash Trematon & Landrake, Saltash Tamar, Rame Peninsula & St Germans, Lynher, Callington & St Dominic, Looe East & Deviock, Calstock

Data Sources & Assumptions

Solar yield: PVGIS (EU Joint Research Centre), January 2025 data

Electricity rates: Ofgem price cap, Q3 2026

Installation costs: DESNZ/MCS data, March 2026 (TIC)

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 Southern Western

PL11 (Cornwall)
≈4.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,075 kWh/kWp · +3% vs PL12
PL5 (Plymouth)
≈4.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,076 kWh/kWp · +3% vs PL12
PL2 (Plymouth)
≈5.5 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,076 kWh/kWp · +3% vs PL12
PL10 (Cornwall)
≈7.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,072 kWh/kWp · +3% vs PL12
PL1 (Plymouth)
≈7.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,087 kWh/kWp · +4% vs PL12
PL3 (Plymouth)
≈7.9 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,075 kWh/kWp · +3% vs PL12

Similar sunshine across the UK

ME4 (Medway)
~1,040 kWh/kWp · -0% vs PL12
IP2 (Ipswich)
~1,041 kWh/kWp · +0% vs PL12
TN20 (Wealden)
~1,041 kWh/kWp · +0% vs PL12