Independent solar numbers for your postcode using official UK data
Home Regions Guides Compare quotes Solar assistant
Insights
Big Roof Britain Solar Payback Index Standing Charge Drag Roof Direction Penalty Winter Solar Reality Seasonal Solar Output

Solar panel cost in West Devon (PL16)

See realistic solar installation costs, savings and payback for PL16 (West Devon) 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
10.2 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£9,767
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£955
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£14,121
After paying itself off, you're this much ahead

Ready to Get Started?

Get your free quote from Blue Ape Renewables. They'll connect you with MCS-certified installers in your area and handle all the paperwork.

Get Solar Quote →
4.8★ Trustpilot • Octopus Energy trusted partner • MCS certified • No obligation
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 962 kWh/kW — 52 below the regional median (1013).

Read the full story

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 962 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)
962 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: £796, Upfront: £8,139, Break-even: 10.2 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1924 kWh 769 kWh 1154 kWh £203 £115 £318 £3,256 10.2 yrs £3,114
3 kW 2886 kWh 1154 kWh 1731 kWh £305 £173 £478 £4,883 10.2 yrs £4,672
4 kW 3847 kWh 1539 kWh 2308 kWh £406 £231 £637 £6,511 10.2 yrs £6,229
5 kW 4809 kWh 1924 kWh 2886 kWh £508 £289 £796 £8,139 10.2 yrs £7,786
6 kW 5771 kWh 2308 kWh 3463 kWh £609 £346 £955 £9,767 10.2 yrs £9,343
7 kW 6733 kWh 2693 kWh 4040 kWh £711 £404 £1,115 £11,394 10.2 yrs £10,900
8 kW 7695 kWh 3078 kWh 4617 kWh £812 £462 £1,274 £13,022 10.2 yrs £12,457

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: £954, Upfront: £10,239, Break-even: 10.7 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1924 kWh 1154 kWh 769 kWh £305 £77 £382 £5,356 14.0 yrs £2,276
3 kW 2886 kWh 1731 kWh 1154 kWh £457 £115 £572 £6,983 12.2 yrs £4,463
4 kW 3847 kWh 2308 kWh 1539 kWh £609 £154 £763 £8,611 11.3 yrs £6,651
5 kW 4809 kWh 2886 kWh 1924 kWh £762 £192 £954 £10,239 10.7 yrs £8,839
6 kW 5771 kWh 3463 kWh 2308 kWh £914 £231 £1,145 £11,867 10.4 yrs £11,027
7 kW 6733 kWh 4040 kWh 2693 kWh £1,066 £269 £1,335 £13,494 10.1 yrs £13,215
8 kW 7695 kWh 4617 kWh 3078 kWh £1,218 £308 £1,526 £15,122 9.9 yrs £15,402

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: £1,033, Upfront: £11,639, Break-even: 11.3 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1924 kWh 1347 kWh 577 kWh £355 £58 £413 £6,756 16.4 yrs £1,506
3 kW 2886 kWh 2020 kWh 866 kWh £533 £87 £620 £8,383 13.5 yrs £4,009
4 kW 3847 kWh 2693 kWh 1154 kWh £711 £115 £826 £10,011 12.1 yrs £6,512
5 kW 4809 kWh 3367 kWh 1443 kWh £888 £144 £1,033 £11,639 11.3 yrs £9,015
6 kW 5771 kWh 4040 kWh 1731 kWh £1,066 £173 £1,239 £13,267 10.7 yrs £11,519
7 kW 6733 kWh 4713 kWh 2020 kWh £1,244 £202 £1,446 £14,894 10.3 yrs £14,022
8 kW 7695 kWh 5386 kWh 2308 kWh £1,421 £231 £1,652 £16,522 10.0 yrs £16,525

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: £1,056, Upfront: £13,389, Break-even: 12.7 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1924 kWh 1404 kWh 519 kWh £371 £52 £423 £8,506 20.1 yrs £-55
3 kW 2886 kWh 2106 kWh 779 kWh £556 £78 £634 £10,133 16.0 yrs £2,543
4 kW 3847 kWh 2809 kWh 1039 kWh £741 £104 £845 £11,761 13.9 yrs £5,141
5 kW 4809 kWh 3511 kWh 1299 kWh £927 £130 £1,056 £13,389 12.7 yrs £7,738
6 kW 5771 kWh 4213 kWh 1558 kWh £1,112 £156 £1,268 £15,017 11.8 yrs £10,336
7 kW 6733 kWh 4915 kWh 1818 kWh £1,297 £182 £1,479 £16,644 11.3 yrs £12,934
8 kW 7695 kWh 5617 kWh 2078 kWh £1,482 £208 £1,690 £18,272 10.8 yrs £15,531

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: £1,072, Upfront: £15,139, Break-even: 14.1 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1924 kWh 1443 kWh 481 kWh £381 £48 £429 £10,256 23.9 yrs £-1,679
3 kW 2886 kWh 2164 kWh 721 kWh £571 £72 £643 £11,883 18.5 yrs £982
4 kW 3847 kWh 2886 kWh 962 kWh £762 £96 £858 £13,511 15.8 yrs £3,643
5 kW 4809 kWh 3607 kWh 1202 kWh £952 £120 £1,072 £15,139 14.1 yrs £6,304
6 kW 5771 kWh 4328 kWh 1443 kWh £1,142 £144 £1,287 £16,767 13.0 yrs £8,964
7 kW 6733 kWh 5050 kWh 1683 kWh £1,333 £168 £1,501 £18,394 12.3 yrs £11,625
8 kW 7695 kWh 5771 kWh 1924 kWh £1,523 £192 £1,715 £20,022 11.7 yrs £14,286

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: £1,088, Upfront: £17,589, Break-even: 16.2 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1924 kWh 1481 kWh 442 kWh £391 £44 £435 £12,706 29.2 yrs £-4,002
3 kW 2886 kWh 2222 kWh 664 kWh £586 £66 £653 £14,333 22.0 yrs £-1,279
4 kW 3847 kWh 2963 kWh 885 kWh £782 £88 £870 £15,961 18.3 yrs £1,445
5 kW 4809 kWh 3703 kWh 1106 kWh £977 £111 £1,088 £17,589 16.2 yrs £4,169
6 kW 5771 kWh 4444 kWh 1327 kWh £1,173 £133 £1,305 £19,217 14.7 yrs £6,893
7 kW 6733 kWh 5184 kWh 1549 kWh £1,368 £155 £1,523 £20,844 13.7 yrs £9,617
8 kW 7695 kWh 5925 kWh 1770 kWh £1,564 £177 £1,741 £22,472 12.9 yrs £12,340

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 West Devon

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

New quote check

Want a quote sanity check for PL16?

Share the first part of your postcode and a few basics. We’ll help you check whether system size, battery, export and paperwork assumptions look sensible before you commit to installer conversations.

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.

Request a quote sanity check →

Insights for PL16

Figures below are tailored to PL16 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #171 of 2182
6.3 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~13 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #1320 of 2996
10.2 years (UK avg 10.8 years)
~£956 /yr • £9,767 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #923 of 2996
22.1% (UK avg 26.6%) drag on savings
£211 fixed • ~£956 /yr value
Aspect Penalty View ranking →
East −19.6% West −18.5%
Typical output loss versus a south-facing roof (lower is better)

Seasonal solar output in PL16

Monthly generation per kilowatt of solar panels

kWh 36 Jan 53 Feb 86 Mar 113 Apr 118 May 116 Jun 112 Jul 105 Aug 90 Sep 62 Oct 42 Nov 30 Dec
Best month Worst month Winter (Dec–Feb) Other months

Winter output: 49.3% 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 40 kWh per month; the average month produces around 80 kWh. So a typical 4 kW home system would generate roughly 158 kWh in winter, or 321 kWh in an average month.

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
26.39p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
57.89p/day
Local Sunshine
962kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~962 kWh per year. A typical home uses ~2,700 kWh per year.
Typical System Size
6.0kW
For houses & bungalows in this area

Local Property Data

Property Types

Houses: 76% • Flats: 3% • Bungalows: 21% Based on 638 properties

Coverage

West Devon (78%)|Torridge (14%)|Cornwall (8%)

Areas Covered

Tamarside, Broadheath, Milton Ford, Altarnun & Stoke Climsland, Bridestowe

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

PL15 (Cornwall)
≈6.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~987 kWh/kWp · +3% vs PL16
PL19 (West Devon)
≈14.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~951 kWh/kWp · -1% vs PL16
PL18 (Cornwall)
≈14.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~976 kWh/kWp · +1% vs PL16
PL17 (Cornwall)
≈15.5 km away
Local sunshine: ~996 kWh/kWp · +4% vs PL16
EX21 (Torridge)
≈18.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~962 kWh/kWp · +0% vs PL16
EX22 (Torridge)
≈19.5 km away
Local sunshine: ~976 kWh/kWp · +1% vs PL16

Similar sunshine across the UK

CV9 (North Warwickshire)
~962 kWh/kWp · +0% vs PL16
B93 (Solihull)
~962 kWh/kWp · +0% vs PL16
DE72 (Erewash)
~962 kWh/kWp · +0% vs PL16