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Solar panel cost in North East Derbyshire (S18)

See realistic solar installation costs, savings and payback for S18 (North East Derbyshire) 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
10.9 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£8,139
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£744
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£10,469
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 Yorkshire, the current unit rate is 25.31p/kWh with a 64.38p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 923 kWh/kW — 6 below the regional median (929).

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 923 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 25.3p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.

Unit rate
25.3p/kWh
Standing charge
64.4p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
923 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: £744, Upfront: £8,139, 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 1846 kWh 739 kWh 1108 kWh £187 £111 £298 £3,256 10.9 yrs £2,699
3 kW 2770 kWh 1108 kWh 1662 kWh £280 £166 £447 £4,883 10.9 yrs £4,048
4 kW 3693 kWh 1477 kWh 2216 kWh £374 £222 £595 £6,511 10.9 yrs £5,398
5 kW 4616 kWh 1846 kWh 2770 kWh £467 £277 £744 £8,139 10.9 yrs £6,747
6 kW 5539 kWh 2216 kWh 3324 kWh £561 £332 £893 £9,767 10.9 yrs £8,097
7 kW 6463 kWh 2585 kWh 3878 kWh £654 £388 £1,042 £11,394 10.9 yrs £9,446
8 kW 7386 kWh 2954 kWh 4431 kWh £748 £443 £1,191 £13,022 10.9 yrs £10,796

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: £886, Upfront: £10,239, Break-even: 11.6 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1846 kWh 1108 kWh 739 kWh £280 £74 £354 £5,356 15.1 yrs £1,730
3 kW 2770 kWh 1662 kWh 1108 kWh £421 £111 £531 £6,983 13.1 yrs £3,644
4 kW 3693 kWh 2216 kWh 1477 kWh £561 £148 £709 £8,611 12.2 yrs £5,559
5 kW 4616 kWh 2770 kWh 1846 kWh £701 £185 £886 £10,239 11.6 yrs £7,474
6 kW 5539 kWh 3324 kWh 2216 kWh £841 £222 £1,063 £11,867 11.2 yrs £9,389
7 kW 6463 kWh 3878 kWh 2585 kWh £981 £259 £1,240 £13,494 10.9 yrs £11,304
8 kW 7386 kWh 4431 kWh 2954 kWh £1,122 £295 £1,417 £15,122 10.7 yrs £13,219

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: £956, Upfront: £11,639, 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 1846 kWh 1293 kWh 554 kWh £327 £55 £383 £6,756 17.7 yrs £895
3 kW 2770 kWh 1939 kWh 831 kWh £491 £83 £574 £8,383 14.6 yrs £3,093
4 kW 3693 kWh 2585 kWh 1108 kWh £654 £111 £765 £10,011 13.1 yrs £5,290
5 kW 4616 kWh 3231 kWh 1385 kWh £818 £138 £956 £11,639 12.2 yrs £7,488
6 kW 5539 kWh 3878 kWh 1662 kWh £981 £166 £1,148 £13,267 11.6 yrs £9,685
7 kW 6463 kWh 4524 kWh 1939 kWh £1,145 £194 £1,339 £14,894 11.1 yrs £11,883
8 kW 7386 kWh 5170 kWh 2216 kWh £1,309 £222 £1,530 £16,522 10.8 yrs £14,080

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: £978, Upfront: £13,389, Break-even: 13.7 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1846 kWh 1348 kWh 499 kWh £341 £50 £391 £8,506 21.8 yrs £-685
3 kW 2770 kWh 2022 kWh 748 kWh £512 £75 £587 £10,133 17.3 yrs £1,597
4 kW 3693 kWh 2696 kWh 997 kWh £682 £100 £782 £11,761 15.0 yrs £3,879
5 kW 4616 kWh 3370 kWh 1246 kWh £853 £125 £978 £13,389 13.7 yrs £6,162
6 kW 5539 kWh 4044 kWh 1496 kWh £1,023 £150 £1,173 £15,017 12.8 yrs £8,444
7 kW 6463 kWh 4718 kWh 1745 kWh £1,194 £174 £1,369 £16,644 12.2 yrs £10,726
8 kW 7386 kWh 5392 kWh 1994 kWh £1,365 £199 £1,564 £18,272 11.7 yrs £13,009

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: £992, Upfront: £15,139, Break-even: 15.3 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1846 kWh 1385 kWh 462 kWh £351 £46 £397 £10,256 25.9 yrs £-2,322
3 kW 2770 kWh 2077 kWh 692 kWh £526 £69 £595 £11,883 20.0 yrs £17
4 kW 3693 kWh 2770 kWh 923 kWh £701 £92 £793 £13,511 17.0 yrs £2,355
5 kW 4616 kWh 3462 kWh 1154 kWh £876 £115 £992 £15,139 15.3 yrs £4,694
6 kW 5539 kWh 4154 kWh 1385 kWh £1,052 £138 £1,190 £16,767 14.1 yrs £7,033
7 kW 6463 kWh 4847 kWh 1616 kWh £1,227 £162 £1,388 £18,394 13.2 yrs £9,372
8 kW 7386 kWh 5539 kWh 1846 kWh £1,402 £185 £1,587 £20,022 12.6 yrs £11,711

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: £1,006, Upfront: £17,589, Break-even: 17.5 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1846 kWh 1422 kWh 425 kWh £360 £42 £402 £12,706 31.6 yrs £-4,659
3 kW 2770 kWh 2133 kWh 637 kWh £540 £64 £603 £14,333 23.8 yrs £-2,264
4 kW 3693 kWh 2844 kWh 849 kWh £720 £85 £805 £15,961 19.8 yrs £132
5 kW 4616 kWh 3554 kWh 1062 kWh £900 £106 £1,006 £17,589 17.5 yrs £2,527
6 kW 5539 kWh 4265 kWh 1274 kWh £1,080 £127 £1,207 £19,217 15.9 yrs £4,922
7 kW 6463 kWh 4976 kWh 1486 kWh £1,259 £149 £1,408 £20,844 14.8 yrs £7,318
8 kW 7386 kWh 5687 kWh 1699 kWh £1,439 £170 £1,609 £22,472 14.0 yrs £9,713

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 North East Derbyshire

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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Understand DNO, G98 and G99 export limits

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Insights for S18

Figures below are tailored to S18 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #697 of 2182
5.4 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~11 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #1921 of 2996
10.9 years (UK avg 10.8 years)
~£744 /yr • £8,139 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #2334 of 2996
31.6% (UK avg 26.6%) drag on savings
£235 fixed • ~£744 /yr value
Aspect Penalty View ranking →
East −21.1% West −20.3%
Typical output loss versus a south-facing roof (lower is better)

Seasonal solar output in S18

Monthly generation per kilowatt of solar panels

kWh 34 Jan 49 Feb 81 Mar 104 Apr 115 May 110 Jun 112 Jul 104 Aug 85 Sep 59 Oct 39 Nov 30 Dec
Best month Worst month Winter (Dec–Feb) Other months

Winter output: 49.0% 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 38 kWh per month; the average month produces around 77 kWh. So a typical 4 kW home system would generate roughly 151 kWh in winter, or 308 kWh in an average month.

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
25.31p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
64.38p/day
Local Sunshine
923kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~923 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: 67% • Flats: 12% • Bungalows: 20% Based on 5,713 properties

Coverage

North East Derbyshire (100%)

Areas Covered

Dronfield North, Dronfield South, Gosforth Valley, Coal Aston, Barlow & Holmesfield, Unstone, Dronfield Woodhouse, Ridgeway & Marsh Lane

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 Yorkshire

S17 (Sheffield)
≈4.4 km away
Local sunshine: ~922 kWh/kWp · -0% vs S18
S8 (Sheffield)
≈5.3 km away
Local sunshine: ~919 kWh/kWp · -0% vs S18
S14 (Sheffield)
≈5.3 km away
Local sunshine: ~924 kWh/kWp · +0% vs S18
S7 (Sheffield)
≈6.2 km away
Local sunshine: ~920 kWh/kWp · -0% vs S18
S12 (Sheffield)
≈6.5 km away
Local sunshine: ~929 kWh/kWp · +1% vs S18
S11 (Sheffield)
≈7.5 km away
Local sunshine: ~909 kWh/kWp · -2% vs S18

Similar sunshine across the UK

DL16 (County Durham)
~923 kWh/kWp · +0% vs S18
LL29 (Conwy)
~923 kWh/kWp · -0% vs S18
NE5 (Newcastle upon Tyne)
~923 kWh/kWp · -0% vs S18