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Postcode solar briefing

Solar panel cost in Barnsley (S36)

See realistic solar installation costs, savings and payback for S36 (Barnsley) using official UK data. Start with the local verdict, then adjust the calculator for your roof, usage and export assumptions.

Local model Calculator unchanged Quote assumptions checked
Local solar briefing

Solar in S36: roof size may be the main upside, so compare proposed system sizes carefully.

This is a modelled local view, not a promise of savings. Use it as a quick sense-check before comparing installer quotes for S36.

Typical system
5.0 kW
starting point
Annual benefit
£735
before battery costs
Payback estimate
11.1 years
panel-only baseline
Postcode verdict
Roof-size upside
local model
Local context

Why S36 differs

South-facing yield is close to the Yorkshire median, so roof size, usage and tariff assumptions do most of the work.

The starting system size is close to the regional typical size at 5.0 kW.

Local housing mix looks suitable for a postcode-level estimate, but your actual roof still matters more than the area average.

Battery payback depends heavily on evening use, export tariff and whether the installer has assumed optimistic self-consumption.

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
11.1 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£8,139
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£735
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£10,232
After paying itself off, you're this much ahead

Ready to Get Started?

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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.

Before you sign

What to challenge in solar quotes for S36

Use the calculator above as a baseline, then ask installers to explain where their quote differs from the local assumptions.

If the proposed system is much larger than 5.0 kW, ask why it fits your roof and usage.

Compare payback with and without a battery before accepting a bundled quote.

Check which Smart Export Guarantee tariff is assumed. The calculator baseline uses 10p/kWh.

Confirm who handles MCS certification and DNO/G98/G99 paperwork before comparing finance or warranties.

Compare quotes Check MCS DNO, G98 and G99
New quote check

Want a quote sanity check for S36?

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 S36

Figures below are tailored to S36 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #1065 of 2182
5.0 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~11 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #2109 of 2996
11.1 years (UK avg 10.8 years)
~£734 /yr • £8,139 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #2432 of 2996
32.0% (UK avg 26.6%) drag on savings
£235 fixed • ~£734 /yr value
Aspect Penalty View ranking →
East −20.8% West −20.2%
Typical output loss versus a south-facing roof (lower is better)
Compare areas

Compare S36 with nearby and similar areas

Nearby postcode areas in Yorkshire

S30 (Sheffield)
≈6.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~903 kWh/kWp · -1% vs S36
S75 (Barnsley)
≈8.3 km away
Local sunshine: ~939 kWh/kWp · +3% vs S36
HD8 (Kirklees)
≈9.3 km away
Local sunshine: ~916 kWh/kWp · +0% vs S36
S70 (Barnsley)
≈9.4 km away
Local sunshine: ~939 kWh/kWp · +3% vs S36
S35 (Sheffield)
≈10.3 km away
Local sunshine: ~916 kWh/kWp · +1% vs S36
S74 (Barnsley)
≈11.5 km away
Local sunshine: ~932 kWh/kWp · +2% vs S36

Similar solar-yield areas

DL1 (Darlington)
~911 kWh/kWp · -0% vs S36
DD3 (Dundee City)
~911 kWh/kWp · -0% vs S36
EH35 (East Lothian)
~911 kWh/kWp · -0% vs S36

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 911 kWh/kW — 18 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 911 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)
911 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: £735, Upfront: £8,139, Break-even: 11.1 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1823 kWh 729 kWh 1094 kWh £185 £109 £294 £3,256 11.1 yrs £2,623
3 kW 2734 kWh 1094 kWh 1641 kWh £277 £164 £441 £4,883 11.1 yrs £3,935
4 kW 3646 kWh 1458 kWh 2188 kWh £369 £219 £588 £6,511 11.1 yrs £5,246
5 kW 4557 kWh 1823 kWh 2734 kWh £461 £273 £735 £8,139 11.1 yrs £6,558
6 kW 5469 kWh 2188 kWh 3281 kWh £554 £328 £882 £9,767 11.1 yrs £7,869
7 kW 6380 kWh 2552 kWh 3828 kWh £646 £383 £1,029 £11,394 11.1 yrs £9,181
8 kW 7292 kWh 2917 kWh 4375 kWh £738 £438 £1,176 £13,022 11.1 yrs £10,492

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: £874, Upfront: £10,239, 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 1823 kWh 1094 kWh 729 kWh £277 £73 £350 £5,356 15.3 yrs £1,639
3 kW 2734 kWh 1641 kWh 1094 kWh £415 £109 £525 £6,983 13.3 yrs £3,509
4 kW 3646 kWh 2188 kWh 1458 kWh £554 £146 £699 £8,611 12.3 yrs £5,379
5 kW 4557 kWh 2734 kWh 1823 kWh £692 £182 £874 £10,239 11.7 yrs £7,249
6 kW 5469 kWh 3281 kWh 2188 kWh £830 £219 £1,049 £11,867 11.3 yrs £9,118
7 kW 6380 kWh 3828 kWh 2552 kWh £969 £255 £1,224 £13,494 11.0 yrs £10,988
8 kW 7292 kWh 4375 kWh 2917 kWh £1,107 £292 £1,399 £15,122 10.8 yrs £12,858

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: £944, Upfront: £11,639, 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 1823 kWh 1276 kWh 547 kWh £323 £55 £378 £6,756 17.9 yrs £798
3 kW 2734 kWh 1914 kWh 820 kWh £484 £82 £566 £8,383 14.8 yrs £2,946
4 kW 3646 kWh 2552 kWh 1094 kWh £646 £109 £755 £10,011 13.3 yrs £5,095
5 kW 4557 kWh 3190 kWh 1367 kWh £807 £137 £944 £11,639 12.3 yrs £7,244
6 kW 5469 kWh 3828 kWh 1641 kWh £969 £164 £1,133 £13,267 11.7 yrs £9,393
7 kW 6380 kWh 4466 kWh 1914 kWh £1,130 £191 £1,322 £14,894 11.3 yrs £11,542
8 kW 7292 kWh 5104 kWh 2188 kWh £1,292 £219 £1,511 £16,522 10.9 yrs £13,691

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: £965, Upfront: £13,389, Break-even: 13.9 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1823 kWh 1331 kWh 492 kWh £337 £49 £386 £8,506 22.0 yrs £-785
3 kW 2734 kWh 1996 kWh 738 kWh £505 £74 £579 £10,133 17.5 yrs £1,448
4 kW 3646 kWh 2661 kWh 984 kWh £674 £98 £772 £11,761 15.2 yrs £3,680
5 kW 4557 kWh 3327 kWh 1230 kWh £842 £123 £965 £13,389 13.9 yrs £5,913
6 kW 5469 kWh 3992 kWh 1477 kWh £1,010 £148 £1,158 £15,017 13.0 yrs £8,145
7 kW 6380 kWh 4658 kWh 1723 kWh £1,179 £172 £1,351 £16,644 12.3 yrs £10,378
8 kW 7292 kWh 5323 kWh 1969 kWh £1,347 £197 £1,544 £18,272 11.8 yrs £12,610

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: £979, Upfront: £15,139, Break-even: 15.5 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1823 kWh 1367 kWh 456 kWh £346 £46 £392 £10,256 26.2 yrs £-2,423
3 kW 2734 kWh 2051 kWh 684 kWh £519 £68 £587 £11,883 20.2 yrs £-135
4 kW 3646 kWh 2734 kWh 911 kWh £692 £91 £783 £13,511 17.3 yrs £2,153
5 kW 4557 kWh 3418 kWh 1139 kWh £865 £114 £979 £15,139 15.5 yrs £4,442
6 kW 5469 kWh 4102 kWh 1367 kWh £1,038 £137 £1,175 £16,767 14.3 yrs £6,730
7 kW 6380 kWh 4785 kWh 1595 kWh £1,211 £160 £1,371 £18,394 13.4 yrs £9,019
8 kW 7292 kWh 5469 kWh 1823 kWh £1,384 £182 £1,566 £20,022 12.8 yrs £11,307

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: £993, Upfront: £17,589, Break-even: 17.7 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1823 kWh 1404 kWh 419 kWh £355 £42 £397 £12,706 32.0 yrs £-4,762
3 kW 2734 kWh 2105 kWh 629 kWh £533 £63 £596 £14,333 24.1 yrs £-2,417
4 kW 3646 kWh 2807 kWh 839 kWh £711 £84 £794 £15,961 20.1 yrs £-73
5 kW 4557 kWh 3509 kWh 1048 kWh £888 £105 £993 £17,589 17.7 yrs £2,271
6 kW 5469 kWh 4211 kWh 1258 kWh £1,066 £126 £1,192 £19,217 16.1 yrs £4,615
7 kW 6380 kWh 4913 kWh 1467 kWh £1,243 £147 £1,390 £20,844 15.0 yrs £6,959
8 kW 7292 kWh 5615 kWh 1677 kWh £1,421 £168 £1,589 £22,472 14.1 yrs £9,304

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.

Seasonal solar output in S36

Monthly generation per kilowatt of solar panels

kWh 31 Jan 47 Feb 81 Mar 103 Apr 114 May 109 Jun 113 Jul 104 Aug 85 Sep 58 Oct 37 Nov 27 Dec
Best month Worst month Winter (Dec–Feb) Other months

Winter output: 46.4% 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 35 kWh per month; the average month produces around 76 kWh. So a typical 4 kW home system would generate roughly 141 kWh in winter, or 304 kWh in an average month.

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
25.31p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
64.38p/day
Local Sunshine
911kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~911 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: 76% • Flats: 11% • Bungalows: 13% Based on 7,390 properties

Coverage

Barnsley (57%)|Sheffield (43%)

Areas Covered

Penistone West, Stocksbridge and Upper Don, Penistone East

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.