A typical roof here lands around 4.0 kW, with most eligible homes comfortably fitting within 3–6 kW. Each kilowatt of panels produces roughly 830 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 27.1p 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: £699, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 14.6 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1659 kWh | 664 kWh | 996 kWh | £180 | £100 | £279 | £4,069 | 14.6 yrs | £1,520 |
| 3 kW | 2489 kWh | 996 kWh | 1493 kWh | £270 | £149 | £419 | £6,104 | 14.6 yrs | £2,281 |
| 4 kW | 3318 kWh | 1327 kWh | 1991 kWh | £360 | £199 | £559 | £8,138 | 14.6 yrs | £3,041 |
| 5 kW | 4148 kWh | 1659 kWh | 2489 kWh | £450 | £249 | £699 | £10,173 | 14.6 yrs | £3,801 |
| 6 kW | 4978 kWh | 1991 kWh | 2987 kWh | £540 | £299 | £838 | £12,207 | 14.6 yrs | £4,561 |
| 7 kW | 5807 kWh | 2323 kWh | 3484 kWh | £630 | £348 | £978 | £14,242 | 14.6 yrs | £5,321 |
| 8 kW | 6637 kWh | 2655 kWh | 3982 kWh | £720 | £398 | £1,118 | £16,276 | 14.6 yrs | £6,082 |
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: £841, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 14.6 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1659 kWh | 996 kWh | 664 kWh | £270 | £66 | £336 | £6,169 | 18.3 yrs | £556 |
| 3 kW | 2489 kWh | 1493 kWh | 996 kWh | £405 | £100 | £504 | £8,204 | 16.3 yrs | £1,884 |
| 4 kW | 3318 kWh | 1991 kWh | 1327 kWh | £540 | £133 | £672 | £10,238 | 15.2 yrs | £3,212 |
| 5 kW | 4148 kWh | 2489 kWh | 1659 kWh | £675 | £166 | £841 | £12,273 | 14.6 yrs | £4,540 |
| 6 kW | 4978 kWh | 2987 kWh | 1991 kWh | £810 | £199 | £1,009 | £14,307 | 14.2 yrs | £5,868 |
| 7 kW | 5807 kWh | 3484 kWh | 2323 kWh | £945 | £232 | £1,177 | £16,342 | 13.9 yrs | £7,196 |
| 8 kW | 6637 kWh | 3982 kWh | 2655 kWh | £1,080 | £265 | £1,345 | £18,376 | 13.7 yrs | £8,524 |
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: £912, Upfront: £13,673, Break-even: 15.0 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1659 kWh | 1161 kWh | 498 kWh | £315 | £50 | £365 | £7,569 | 20.8 yrs | £-276 |
| 3 kW | 2489 kWh | 1742 kWh | 747 kWh | £472 | £75 | £547 | £9,604 | 17.6 yrs | £1,336 |
| 4 kW | 3318 kWh | 2323 kWh | 996 kWh | £630 | £100 | £729 | £11,638 | 16.0 yrs | £2,947 |
| 5 kW | 4148 kWh | 2904 kWh | 1244 kWh | £787 | £124 | £912 | £13,673 | 15.0 yrs | £4,559 |
| 6 kW | 4978 kWh | 3484 kWh | 1493 kWh | £945 | £149 | £1,094 | £15,707 | 14.4 yrs | £6,171 |
| 7 kW | 5807 kWh | 4065 kWh | 1742 kWh | £1,102 | £174 | £1,276 | £17,742 | 13.9 yrs | £7,783 |
| 8 kW | 6637 kWh | 4646 kWh | 1991 kWh | £1,259 | £199 | £1,459 | £19,776 | 13.6 yrs | £9,395 |
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: £933, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 16.5 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1659 kWh | 1211 kWh | 448 kWh | £328 | £45 | £373 | £9,319 | 25.0 yrs | £-1,856 |
| 3 kW | 2489 kWh | 1817 kWh | 672 kWh | £493 | £67 | £560 | £11,354 | 20.3 yrs | £-159 |
| 4 kW | 3318 kWh | 2422 kWh | 896 kWh | £657 | £90 | £746 | £13,388 | 17.9 yrs | £1,538 |
| 5 kW | 4148 kWh | 3028 kWh | 1120 kWh | £821 | £112 | £933 | £15,423 | 16.5 yrs | £3,235 |
| 6 kW | 4978 kWh | 3634 kWh | 1344 kWh | £985 | £134 | £1,119 | £17,457 | 15.6 yrs | £4,932 |
| 7 kW | 5807 kWh | 4239 kWh | 1568 kWh | £1,149 | £157 | £1,306 | £19,492 | 14.9 yrs | £6,629 |
| 8 kW | 6637 kWh | 4845 kWh | 1792 kWh | £1,313 | £179 | £1,493 | £21,526 | 14.4 yrs | £8,326 |
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: £947, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 18.1 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1659 kWh | 1244 kWh | 415 kWh | £337 | £41 | £379 | £11,069 | 29.2 yrs | £-3,492 |
| 3 kW | 2489 kWh | 1867 kWh | 622 kWh | £506 | £62 | £568 | £13,104 | 23.1 yrs | £-1,739 |
| 4 kW | 3318 kWh | 2489 kWh | 830 kWh | £675 | £83 | £758 | £15,138 | 20.0 yrs | £15 |
| 5 kW | 4148 kWh | 3111 kWh | 1037 kWh | £843 | £104 | £947 | £17,173 | 18.1 yrs | £1,769 |
| 6 kW | 4978 kWh | 3733 kWh | 1244 kWh | £1,012 | £124 | £1,136 | £19,207 | 16.9 yrs | £3,523 |
| 7 kW | 5807 kWh | 4355 kWh | 1452 kWh | £1,181 | £145 | £1,326 | £21,242 | 16.0 yrs | £5,277 |
| 8 kW | 6637 kWh | 4978 kWh | 1659 kWh | £1,349 | £166 | £1,515 | £23,276 | 15.4 yrs | £7,031 |
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: £961, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 20.4 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1659 kWh | 1278 kWh | 382 kWh | £346 | £38 | £385 | £13,519 | 35.2 yrs | £-5,829 |
| 3 kW | 2489 kWh | 1916 kWh | 572 kWh | £520 | £57 | £577 | £15,554 | 27.0 yrs | £-4,018 |
| 4 kW | 3318 kWh | 2555 kWh | 763 kWh | £693 | £76 | £769 | £17,588 | 22.9 yrs | £-2,208 |
| 5 kW | 4148 kWh | 3194 kWh | 954 kWh | £866 | £95 | £961 | £19,623 | 20.4 yrs | £-397 |
| 6 kW | 4978 kWh | 3833 kWh | 1145 kWh | £1,039 | £114 | £1,154 | £21,657 | 18.8 yrs | £1,414 |
| 7 kW | 5807 kWh | 4471 kWh | 1336 kWh | £1,212 | £134 | £1,346 | £23,692 | 17.6 yrs | £3,224 |
| 8 kW | 6637 kWh | 5110 kWh | 1526 kWh | £1,385 | £153 | £1,538 | £25,726 | 16.7 yrs | £5,035 |
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.