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 998 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 26.5p 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: £828, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 12.3 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1995 kWh | 798 kWh | 1197 kWh | £211 | £120 | £331 | £4,069 | 12.3 yrs | £2,552 |
| 3 kW | 2993 kWh | 1197 kWh | 1796 kWh | £317 | £180 | £497 | £6,104 | 12.3 yrs | £3,828 |
| 4 kW | 3991 kWh | 1596 kWh | 2394 kWh | £423 | £239 | £662 | £8,138 | 12.3 yrs | £5,104 |
| 5 kW | 4988 kWh | 1995 kWh | 2993 kWh | £528 | £299 | £828 | £10,173 | 12.3 yrs | £6,380 |
| 6 kW | 5986 kWh | 2394 kWh | 3592 kWh | £634 | £359 | £993 | £12,207 | 12.3 yrs | £7,657 |
| 7 kW | 6984 kWh | 2793 kWh | 4190 kWh | £740 | £419 | £1,159 | £14,242 | 12.3 yrs | £8,933 |
| 8 kW | 7981 kWh | 3192 kWh | 4789 kWh | £845 | £479 | £1,324 | £16,276 | 12.3 yrs | £10,209 |
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: £992, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 12.4 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1995 kWh | 1197 kWh | 798 kWh | £317 | £80 | £397 | £6,169 | 15.5 yrs | £1,767 |
| 3 kW | 2993 kWh | 1796 kWh | 1197 kWh | £476 | £120 | £595 | £8,204 | 13.8 yrs | £3,701 |
| 4 kW | 3991 kWh | 2394 kWh | 1596 kWh | £634 | £160 | £794 | £10,238 | 12.9 yrs | £5,635 |
| 5 kW | 4988 kWh | 2993 kWh | 1995 kWh | £793 | £200 | £992 | £12,273 | 12.4 yrs | £7,569 |
| 6 kW | 5986 kWh | 3592 kWh | 2394 kWh | £951 | £239 | £1,190 | £14,307 | 12.0 yrs | £9,502 |
| 7 kW | 6984 kWh | 4190 kWh | 2793 kWh | £1,110 | £279 | £1,389 | £16,342 | 11.8 yrs | £11,436 |
| 8 kW | 7981 kWh | 4789 kWh | 3192 kWh | £1,268 | £319 | £1,587 | £18,376 | 11.6 yrs | £13,370 |
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: £1,074, Upfront: £13,673, 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 | 1995 kWh | 1397 kWh | 599 kWh | £370 | £60 | £430 | £7,569 | 17.6 yrs | £1,025 |
| 3 kW | 2993 kWh | 2095 kWh | 898 kWh | £555 | £90 | £645 | £9,604 | 14.9 yrs | £3,288 |
| 4 kW | 3991 kWh | 2793 kWh | 1197 kWh | £740 | £120 | £859 | £11,638 | 13.5 yrs | £5,550 |
| 5 kW | 4988 kWh | 3492 kWh | 1496 kWh | £925 | £150 | £1,074 | £13,673 | 12.7 yrs | £7,813 |
| 6 kW | 5986 kWh | 4190 kWh | 1796 kWh | £1,110 | £180 | £1,289 | £15,707 | 12.2 yrs | £10,075 |
| 7 kW | 6984 kWh | 4888 kWh | 2095 kWh | £1,294 | £210 | £1,504 | £17,742 | 11.8 yrs | £12,338 |
| 8 kW | 7981 kWh | 5587 kWh | 2394 kWh | £1,479 | £239 | £1,719 | £19,776 | 11.5 yrs | £14,601 |
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: £1,099, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 14.0 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1995 kWh | 1457 kWh | 539 kWh | £386 | £54 | £440 | £9,319 | 21.2 yrs | £-528 |
| 3 kW | 2993 kWh | 2185 kWh | 808 kWh | £579 | £81 | £659 | £11,354 | 17.2 yrs | £1,834 |
| 4 kW | 3991 kWh | 2913 kWh | 1077 kWh | £771 | £108 | £879 | £13,388 | 15.2 yrs | £4,195 |
| 5 kW | 4988 kWh | 3641 kWh | 1347 kWh | £964 | £135 | £1,099 | £15,423 | 14.0 yrs | £6,556 |
| 6 kW | 5986 kWh | 4370 kWh | 1616 kWh | £1,157 | £162 | £1,319 | £17,457 | 13.2 yrs | £8,917 |
| 7 kW | 6984 kWh | 5098 kWh | 1886 kWh | £1,350 | £189 | £1,539 | £19,492 | 12.7 yrs | £11,279 |
| 8 kW | 7981 kWh | 5826 kWh | 2155 kWh | £1,543 | £215 | £1,758 | £21,526 | 12.2 yrs | £13,640 |
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: £1,115, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 15.4 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1995 kWh | 1496 kWh | 499 kWh | £396 | £50 | £446 | £11,069 | 24.8 yrs | £-2,146 |
| 3 kW | 2993 kWh | 2245 kWh | 748 kWh | £594 | £75 | £669 | £13,104 | 19.6 yrs | £281 |
| 4 kW | 3991 kWh | 2993 kWh | 998 kWh | £793 | £100 | £892 | £15,138 | 17.0 yrs | £2,708 |
| 5 kW | 4988 kWh | 3741 kWh | 1247 kWh | £991 | £125 | £1,115 | £17,173 | 15.4 yrs | £5,135 |
| 6 kW | 5986 kWh | 4489 kWh | 1496 kWh | £1,189 | £150 | £1,338 | £19,207 | 14.4 yrs | £7,562 |
| 7 kW | 6984 kWh | 5238 kWh | 1746 kWh | £1,387 | £175 | £1,562 | £21,242 | 13.6 yrs | £9,989 |
| 8 kW | 7981 kWh | 5986 kWh | 1995 kWh | £1,585 | £200 | £1,785 | £23,276 | 13.0 yrs | £12,416 |
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: £1,132, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 17.3 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1995 kWh | 1536 kWh | 459 kWh | £407 | £46 | £453 | £13,519 | 29.9 yrs | £-4,465 |
| 3 kW | 2993 kWh | 2305 kWh | 688 kWh | £610 | £69 | £679 | £15,554 | 22.9 yrs | £-1,972 |
| 4 kW | 3991 kWh | 3073 kWh | 918 kWh | £814 | £92 | £905 | £17,588 | 19.4 yrs | £521 |
| 5 kW | 4988 kWh | 3841 kWh | 1147 kWh | £1,017 | £115 | £1,132 | £19,623 | 17.3 yrs | £3,014 |
| 6 kW | 5986 kWh | 4609 kWh | 1377 kWh | £1,221 | £138 | £1,358 | £21,657 | 15.9 yrs | £5,506 |
| 7 kW | 6984 kWh | 5377 kWh | 1606 kWh | £1,424 | £161 | £1,585 | £23,692 | 15.0 yrs | £7,999 |
| 8 kW | 7981 kWh | 6146 kWh | 1836 kWh | £1,627 | £184 | £1,811 | £25,726 | 14.2 yrs | £10,492 |
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.