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Big Roof Britain Solar Payback Index Standing Charge Drag

Solar Panels in SS13 (Basildon)

See if solar pays off for you in Basildon — price, savings and payback in under a minute (official UK data).

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
11.7 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£10,173
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£867
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£11,494
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: Bigger systems don’t shorten payback—cost and savings rise together per kW.
  • 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

Costs: Battery prices are typically £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 Eastern, the current unit rate is 26.53p/kWh with a 48.25p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 1043 kWh/kW — 34 above the regional median (1009).

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 1043 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.

Unit rate
26.5p/kWh
Standing charge
48.2p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
1043 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: £867, Upfront: £10,173, 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 2087 kWh 835 kWh 1252 kWh £221 £125 £347 £4,069 11.7 yrs £2,864
3 kW 3130 kWh 1252 kWh 1878 kWh £332 £188 £520 £6,104 11.7 yrs £4,296
4 kW 4174 kWh 1669 kWh 2504 kWh £443 £250 £693 £8,138 11.7 yrs £5,728
5 kW 5217 kWh 2087 kWh 3130 kWh £554 £313 £867 £10,173 11.7 yrs £7,161
6 kW 6260 kWh 2504 kWh 3756 kWh £664 £376 £1,040 £12,207 11.7 yrs £8,593
7 kW 7304 kWh 2922 kWh 4382 kWh £775 £438 £1,213 £14,242 11.7 yrs £10,025
8 kW 8347 kWh 3339 kWh 5008 kWh £886 £501 £1,387 £16,276 11.7 yrs £11,457

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: £1,039, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 11.8 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2087 kWh 1252 kWh 835 kWh £332 £83 £416 £6,169 14.8 yrs £2,144
3 kW 3130 kWh 1878 kWh 1252 kWh £498 £125 £623 £8,204 13.2 yrs £4,266
4 kW 4174 kWh 2504 kWh 1669 kWh £664 £167 £831 £10,238 12.3 yrs £6,388
5 kW 5217 kWh 3130 kWh 2087 kWh £830 £209 £1,039 £12,273 11.8 yrs £8,510
6 kW 6260 kWh 3756 kWh 2504 kWh £997 £250 £1,247 £14,307 11.5 yrs £10,632
7 kW 7304 kWh 4382 kWh 2922 kWh £1,163 £292 £1,455 £16,342 11.2 yrs £12,754
8 kW 8347 kWh 5008 kWh 3339 kWh £1,329 £334 £1,663 £18,376 11.1 yrs £14,876

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: £1,125, Upfront: £13,673, Break-even: 12.1 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2087 kWh 1461 kWh 626 kWh £388 £63 £450 £7,569 16.8 yrs £1,434
3 kW 3130 kWh 2191 kWh 939 kWh £581 £94 £675 £9,604 14.2 yrs £3,901
4 kW 4174 kWh 2922 kWh 1252 kWh £775 £125 £900 £11,638 12.9 yrs £6,368
5 kW 5217 kWh 3652 kWh 1565 kWh £969 £157 £1,125 £13,673 12.1 yrs £8,835
6 kW 6260 kWh 4382 kWh 1878 kWh £1,163 £188 £1,350 £15,707 11.6 yrs £11,302
7 kW 7304 kWh 5113 kWh 2191 kWh £1,356 £219 £1,576 £17,742 11.3 yrs £13,769
8 kW 8347 kWh 5843 kWh 2504 kWh £1,550 £250 £1,801 £19,776 11.0 yrs £16,236

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: £1,151, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 13.4 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2087 kWh 1523 kWh 563 kWh £404 £56 £460 £9,319 20.2 yrs £-109
3 kW 3130 kWh 2285 kWh 845 kWh £606 £85 £691 £11,354 16.4 yrs £2,461
4 kW 4174 kWh 3047 kWh 1127 kWh £808 £113 £921 £13,388 14.5 yrs £5,032
5 kW 5217 kWh 3808 kWh 1409 kWh £1,010 £141 £1,151 £15,423 13.4 yrs £7,602
6 kW 6260 kWh 4570 kWh 1690 kWh £1,212 £169 £1,381 £17,457 12.6 yrs £10,173
7 kW 7304 kWh 5332 kWh 1972 kWh £1,415 £197 £1,612 £19,492 12.1 yrs £12,743
8 kW 8347 kWh 6094 kWh 2254 kWh £1,617 £225 £1,842 £21,526 11.7 yrs £15,314

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: £1,168, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 14.7 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2087 kWh 1565 kWh 522 kWh £415 £52 £467 £11,069 23.7 yrs £-1,721
3 kW 3130 kWh 2348 kWh 783 kWh £623 £78 £701 £13,104 18.7 yrs £918
4 kW 4174 kWh 3130 kWh 1043 kWh £830 £104 £935 £15,138 16.2 yrs £3,558
5 kW 5217 kWh 3913 kWh 1304 kWh £1,038 £130 £1,168 £17,173 14.7 yrs £6,197
6 kW 6260 kWh 4695 kWh 1565 kWh £1,246 £157 £1,402 £19,207 13.7 yrs £8,837
7 kW 7304 kWh 5478 kWh 1826 kWh £1,453 £183 £1,636 £21,242 13.0 yrs £11,476
8 kW 8347 kWh 6260 kWh 2087 kWh £1,661 £209 £1,870 £23,276 12.4 yrs £14,116

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: £1,186, Upfront: £19,623, 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 2087 kWh 1607 kWh 480 kWh £426 £48 £474 £13,519 28.5 yrs £-4,033
3 kW 3130 kWh 2410 kWh 720 kWh £639 £72 £711 £15,554 21.9 yrs £-1,325
4 kW 4174 kWh 3214 kWh 960 kWh £853 £96 £949 £17,588 18.5 yrs £1,384
5 kW 5217 kWh 4017 kWh 1200 kWh £1,066 £120 £1,186 £19,623 16.5 yrs £4,092
6 kW 6260 kWh 4821 kWh 1440 kWh £1,279 £144 £1,423 £21,657 15.2 yrs £6,801
7 kW 7304 kWh 5624 kWh 1680 kWh £1,492 £168 £1,660 £23,692 14.3 yrs £9,509
8 kW 8347 kWh 6427 kWh 1920 kWh £1,705 £192 £1,897 £25,726 13.6 yrs £12,217

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.

Insights for SS13

Figures below are tailored to SS13 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #1015 of 2182
5.0 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~11 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #292 of 2997
10.2 years (UK avg 11.3 years)
~£996 /yr • £10,173 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #914 of 2997
17.7% (UK avg 21.7%) drag on savings
£176 fixed • ~£996 /yr value

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
26.53p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
48.25p/day
Local Sunshine
1043kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~1043 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: 60% • Flats: 23% • Bungalows: 14% Based on 5,575 properties

Coverage

Basildon (100%)

Areas Covered

Pitsea North West, Pitsea South East, St Martin's, Fryerns

Data Sources & Assumptions

Solar yield: PVGIS (EU Joint Research Centre), January 2025 data

Electricity rates: Ofgem price cap, Q4 2025

Installation costs: MCS certified installer data, March 2025

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 Eastern

SS14 (Basildon)
≈3.3 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,039 kWh/kWp · -0% vs SS13
SS16 (Basildon)
≈3.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,039 kWh/kWp · -0% vs SS13
SS12 (Basildon)
≈3.9 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,042 kWh/kWp · -0% vs SS13
SS7 (Castle Point)
≈4.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,042 kWh/kWp · -0% vs SS13
SS11 (Basildon)
≈4.8 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,042 kWh/kWp · -0% vs SS13
SS15 (Basildon)
≈5.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,035 kWh/kWp · -1% vs SS13

Similar sunshine across the UK

EX13 (East Devon)
~1,043 kWh/kWp · -0% vs SS13
PL95 (Plymouth)
~1,043 kWh/kWp · -0% vs SS13
DT7 (Dorset)
~1,043 kWh/kWp · -0% vs SS13