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Solar panel cost in Cornwall (PL17)

See realistic solar installation costs, savings and payback for PL17 (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
9.9 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£9,767
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£989
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£14,970
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 996 kWh/kW — 17 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 996 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)
996 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: £825, Upfront: £8,139, 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 1992 kWh 797 kWh 1195 kWh £210 £120 £330 £3,256 9.9 yrs £3,341
3 kW 2988 kWh 1195 kWh 1793 kWh £315 £179 £495 £4,883 9.9 yrs £5,011
4 kW 3984 kWh 1594 kWh 2391 kWh £421 £239 £660 £6,511 9.9 yrs £6,682
5 kW 4980 kWh 1992 kWh 2988 kWh £526 £299 £825 £8,139 9.9 yrs £8,352
6 kW 5977 kWh 2391 kWh 3586 kWh £631 £359 £989 £9,767 9.9 yrs £10,023
7 kW 6973 kWh 2789 kWh 4184 kWh £736 £418 £1,154 £11,394 9.9 yrs £11,693
8 kW 7969 kWh 3187 kWh 4781 kWh £841 £478 £1,319 £13,022 9.9 yrs £13,364

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: £988, Upfront: £10,239, 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 1992 kWh 1195 kWh 797 kWh £315 £80 £395 £5,356 13.6 yrs £2,547
3 kW 2988 kWh 1793 kWh 1195 kWh £473 £120 £593 £6,983 11.8 yrs £4,871
4 kW 3984 kWh 2391 kWh 1594 kWh £631 £159 £790 £8,611 10.9 yrs £7,194
5 kW 4980 kWh 2988 kWh 1992 kWh £789 £199 £988 £10,239 10.4 yrs £9,518
6 kW 5977 kWh 3586 kWh 2391 kWh £946 £239 £1,185 £11,867 10.0 yrs £11,841
7 kW 6973 kWh 4184 kWh 2789 kWh £1,104 £279 £1,383 £13,494 9.8 yrs £14,165
8 kW 7969 kWh 4781 kWh 3187 kWh £1,262 £319 £1,581 £15,122 9.6 yrs £16,488

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: £1,069, Upfront: £11,639, Break-even: 10.9 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1992 kWh 1395 kWh 598 kWh £368 £60 £428 £6,756 15.8 yrs £1,800
3 kW 2988 kWh 2092 kWh 896 kWh £552 £90 £642 £8,383 13.1 yrs £4,450
4 kW 3984 kWh 2789 kWh 1195 kWh £736 £120 £856 £10,011 11.7 yrs £7,100
5 kW 4980 kWh 3486 kWh 1494 kWh £920 £149 £1,069 £11,639 10.9 yrs £9,750
6 kW 5977 kWh 4184 kWh 1793 kWh £1,104 £179 £1,283 £13,267 10.3 yrs £12,400
7 kW 6973 kWh 4881 kWh 2092 kWh £1,288 £209 £1,497 £14,894 9.9 yrs £15,050
8 kW 7969 kWh 5578 kWh 2391 kWh £1,472 £239 £1,711 £16,522 9.7 yrs £17,700

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: £1,094, Upfront: £13,389, Break-even: 12.2 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1992 kWh 1454 kWh 538 kWh £384 £54 £438 £8,506 19.4 yrs £246
3 kW 2988 kWh 2181 kWh 807 kWh £576 £81 £656 £10,133 15.4 yrs £2,994
4 kW 3984 kWh 2909 kWh 1076 kWh £768 £108 £875 £11,761 13.4 yrs £5,742
5 kW 4980 kWh 3636 kWh 1345 kWh £959 £134 £1,094 £13,389 12.2 yrs £8,490
6 kW 5977 kWh 4363 kWh 1614 kWh £1,151 £161 £1,313 £15,017 11.4 yrs £11,238
7 kW 6973 kWh 5090 kWh 1883 kWh £1,343 £188 £1,532 £16,644 10.9 yrs £13,986
8 kW 7969 kWh 5817 kWh 2152 kWh £1,535 £215 £1,750 £18,272 10.4 yrs £16,734

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: £1,110, Upfront: £15,139, Break-even: 13.6 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1992 kWh 1494 kWh 498 kWh £394 £50 £444 £10,256 23.1 yrs £-1,373
3 kW 2988 kWh 2241 kWh 747 kWh £591 £75 £666 £11,883 17.8 yrs £1,440
4 kW 3984 kWh 2988 kWh 996 kWh £789 £100 £888 £13,511 15.2 yrs £4,253
5 kW 4980 kWh 3735 kWh 1245 kWh £986 £125 £1,110 £15,139 13.6 yrs £7,067
6 kW 5977 kWh 4482 kWh 1494 kWh £1,183 £149 £1,332 £16,767 12.6 yrs £9,880
7 kW 6973 kWh 5229 kWh 1743 kWh £1,380 £174 £1,554 £18,394 11.8 yrs £12,693
8 kW 7969 kWh 5977 kWh 1992 kWh £1,577 £199 £1,776 £20,022 11.3 yrs £15,506

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: £1,127, Upfront: £17,589, Break-even: 15.6 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1992 kWh 1534 kWh 458 kWh £405 £46 £451 £12,706 28.2 yrs £-3,693
3 kW 2988 kWh 2301 kWh 687 kWh £607 £69 £676 £14,333 21.2 yrs £-814
4 kW 3984 kWh 3068 kWh 916 kWh £810 £92 £901 £15,961 17.7 yrs £2,064
5 kW 4980 kWh 3835 kWh 1146 kWh £1,012 £115 £1,127 £17,589 15.6 yrs £4,943
6 kW 5977 kWh 4602 kWh 1375 kWh £1,214 £137 £1,352 £19,217 14.2 yrs £7,822
7 kW 6973 kWh 5369 kWh 1604 kWh £1,417 £160 £1,577 £20,844 13.2 yrs £10,700
8 kW 7969 kWh 6136 kWh 1833 kWh £1,619 £183 £1,803 £22,472 12.5 yrs £13,579

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.

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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 PL17

Figures below are tailored to PL17 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #401 of 2182
5.7 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~12 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #904 of 2996
9.9 years (UK avg 10.8 years)
~£989 /yr • £9,767 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #768 of 2996
21.3% (UK avg 26.6%) drag on savings
£211 fixed • ~£989 /yr value
Aspect Penalty View ranking →
East −19.0% West −19.5%
Typical output loss versus a south-facing roof (lower is better)

Seasonal solar output in PL17

Monthly generation per kilowatt of solar panels

kWh 39 Jan 55 Feb 88 Mar 115 Apr 121 May 120 Jun 117 Jul 108 Aug 91 Sep 64 Oct 45 Nov 33 Dec
Best month Worst month Winter (Dec–Feb) Other months

Winter output: 50.9% 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 42 kWh per month; the average month produces around 83 kWh. So a typical 4 kW home system would generate roughly 169 kWh in winter, or 332 kWh in an average month.

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
26.39p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
57.89p/day
Local Sunshine
996kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~996 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: 64% • Flats: 10% • Bungalows: 25% Based on 2,749 properties

Coverage

Cornwall (98%)|West Devon (2%)

Areas Covered

Callington & St Dominic, Altarnun & Stoke Climsland, Lynher, Calstock, Tavistock South West

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

PL18 (Cornwall)
≈6.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~976 kWh/kWp · -2% vs PL17
PL12 (Cornwall)
≈12.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,041 kWh/kWp · +4% vs PL17
PL14 (Cornwall)
≈12.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,026 kWh/kWp · +3% vs PL17
PL19 (West Devon)
≈12.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~951 kWh/kWp · -4% vs PL17
PL15 (Cornwall)
≈14.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~987 kWh/kWp · -1% vs PL17
PL5 (Plymouth)
≈14.8 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,076 kWh/kWp · +8% vs PL17

Similar sunshine across the UK

SW17 (Wandsworth)
~996 kWh/kWp · +0% vs PL17
CR9 (Croydon)
~996 kWh/kWp · -0% vs PL17
UB18 (Ealing)
~996 kWh/kWp · +0% vs PL17