Solar explained to clever people by people who are not trying to be clever
Home Regions
Insights
Big Roof Britain Solar Payback Index Standing Charge Drag

Solar Panels in ST16 (Stafford)

See if solar pays off for you in Stafford — 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
13.5 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£10,173
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£756
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£8,722
After paying itself off, you're this much ahead

Ready to Get Started?

Get your free quote from Blue Ape Renewables. They'll connect you with MCS-certified installers in your area and handle all the paperwork.

Get Solar Quote →
4.8★ Trustpilot • Octopus Energy trusted partner • MCS certified • No obligation
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 Midlands, the current unit rate is 25.64p/kWh with a 53.00p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 930 kWh/kW — 12 below the regional median (942).

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 930 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 25.6p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.

Unit rate
25.6p/kWh
Standing charge
53.0p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
930 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: £756, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 13.5 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1860 kWh 744 kWh 1116 kWh £191 £112 £302 £4,069 13.5 yrs £1,977
3 kW 2790 kWh 1116 kWh 1674 kWh £286 £167 £453 £6,104 13.5 yrs £2,966
4 kW 3719 kWh 1488 kWh 2232 kWh £381 £223 £605 £8,138 13.5 yrs £3,955
5 kW 4649 kWh 1860 kWh 2790 kWh £477 £279 £756 £10,173 13.5 yrs £4,943
6 kW 5579 kWh 2232 kWh 3348 kWh £572 £335 £907 £12,207 13.5 yrs £5,932
7 kW 6509 kWh 2604 kWh 3905 kWh £668 £391 £1,058 £14,242 13.5 yrs £6,921
8 kW 7439 kWh 2976 kWh 4463 kWh £763 £446 £1,209 £16,276 13.5 yrs £7,909

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: £901, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 13.6 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1860 kWh 1116 kWh 744 kWh £286 £74 £360 £6,169 17.1 yrs £1,041
3 kW 2790 kWh 1674 kWh 1116 kWh £429 £112 £541 £8,204 15.2 yrs £2,611
4 kW 3719 kWh 2232 kWh 1488 kWh £572 £149 £721 £10,238 14.2 yrs £4,182
5 kW 4649 kWh 2790 kWh 1860 kWh £715 £186 £901 £12,273 13.6 yrs £5,752
6 kW 5579 kWh 3348 kWh 2232 kWh £858 £223 £1,081 £14,307 13.2 yrs £7,322
7 kW 6509 kWh 3905 kWh 2604 kWh £1,001 £260 £1,262 £16,342 13.0 yrs £8,893
8 kW 7439 kWh 4463 kWh 2976 kWh £1,144 £298 £1,442 £18,376 12.7 yrs £10,463

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: £974, Upfront: £13,673, 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 1860 kWh 1302 kWh 558 kWh £334 £56 £390 £7,569 19.4 yrs £223
3 kW 2790 kWh 1953 kWh 837 kWh £501 £84 £584 £9,604 16.4 yrs £2,084
4 kW 3719 kWh 2604 kWh 1116 kWh £668 £112 £779 £11,638 14.9 yrs £3,945
5 kW 4649 kWh 3255 kWh 1395 kWh £834 £139 £974 £13,673 14.0 yrs £5,806
6 kW 5579 kWh 3905 kWh 1674 kWh £1,001 £167 £1,169 £15,707 13.4 yrs £7,668
7 kW 6509 kWh 4556 kWh 1953 kWh £1,168 £195 £1,364 £17,742 13.0 yrs £9,529
8 kW 7439 kWh 5207 kWh 2232 kWh £1,335 £223 £1,558 £19,776 12.7 yrs £11,390

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: £996, Upfront: £15,423, 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 1860 kWh 1358 kWh 502 kWh £348 £50 £398 £9,319 23.4 yrs £-1,353
3 kW 2790 kWh 2036 kWh 753 kWh £522 £75 £597 £11,354 19.0 yrs £596
4 kW 3719 kWh 2715 kWh 1004 kWh £696 £100 £797 £13,388 16.8 yrs £2,544
5 kW 4649 kWh 3394 kWh 1255 kWh £870 £126 £996 £15,423 15.5 yrs £4,493
6 kW 5579 kWh 4073 kWh 1506 kWh £1,044 £151 £1,195 £17,457 14.6 yrs £6,441
7 kW 6509 kWh 4752 kWh 1757 kWh £1,218 £176 £1,394 £19,492 14.0 yrs £8,390
8 kW 7439 kWh 5430 kWh 2009 kWh £1,392 £201 £1,593 £21,526 13.5 yrs £10,338

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: £1,010, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 17.0 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1860 kWh 1395 kWh 465 kWh £358 £46 £404 £11,069 27.4 yrs £-2,987
3 kW 2790 kWh 2092 kWh 697 kWh £536 £70 £606 £13,104 21.6 yrs £-980
4 kW 3719 kWh 2790 kWh 930 kWh £715 £93 £808 £15,138 18.7 yrs £1,027
5 kW 4649 kWh 3487 kWh 1162 kWh £894 £116 £1,010 £17,173 17.0 yrs £3,034
6 kW 5579 kWh 4184 kWh 1395 kWh £1,073 £139 £1,212 £19,207 15.8 yrs £5,040
7 kW 6509 kWh 4882 kWh 1627 kWh £1,252 £163 £1,414 £21,242 15.0 yrs £7,047
8 kW 7439 kWh 5579 kWh 1860 kWh £1,431 £186 £1,616 £23,276 14.4 yrs £9,054

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: £1,025, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 19.1 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1860 kWh 1432 kWh 428 kWh £367 £43 £410 £13,519 33.0 yrs £-5,320
3 kW 2790 kWh 2148 kWh 642 kWh £551 £64 £615 £15,554 25.3 yrs £-3,255
4 kW 3719 kWh 2864 kWh 855 kWh £734 £86 £820 £17,588 21.5 yrs £-1,190
5 kW 4649 kWh 3580 kWh 1069 kWh £918 £107 £1,025 £19,623 19.1 yrs £874
6 kW 5579 kWh 4296 kWh 1283 kWh £1,101 £128 £1,230 £21,657 17.6 yrs £2,939
7 kW 6509 kWh 5012 kWh 1497 kWh £1,285 £150 £1,435 £23,692 16.5 yrs £5,004
8 kW 7439 kWh 5728 kWh 1711 kWh £1,469 £171 £1,640 £25,726 15.7 yrs £7,069

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 ST16

Figures below are tailored to ST16 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #1638 of 2182
4.6 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~10 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #2155 of 2997
11.8 years (UK avg 11.3 years)
~£865 /yr • £10,173 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #1988 of 2997
22.4% (UK avg 21.7%) drag on savings
£193 fixed • ~£865 /yr value

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
25.64p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
53.00p/day
Local Sunshine
930kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~930 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: 73% • Flats: 22% • Bungalows: 4% Based on 11,768 properties

Coverage

Stafford (100%)

Areas Covered

Rowley, Forebridge, Coton, Holmcroft, Common, Littleworth, Doxey & Castletown, Seighford & Church Eaton + 2 more

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 Midlands

ST17 (Stafford)
≈2.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~920 kWh/kWp · -1% vs ST16
ST18 (Stafford)
≈2.8 km away
Local sunshine: ~925 kWh/kWp · -1% vs ST16
ST20 (Stafford)
≈9.2 km away
Local sunshine: ~944 kWh/kWp · +2% vs ST16
ST15 (Stafford)
≈10.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~931 kWh/kWp · +0% vs ST16
ST19 (South Staffordshire)
≈10.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~937 kWh/kWp · +1% vs ST16
ST21 (Stafford)
≈10.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~935 kWh/kWp · +1% vs ST16

Similar sunshine across the UK

L42 (Wirral)
~930 kWh/kWp · +0% vs ST16
HG4 (North Yorkshire)
~930 kWh/kWp · -0% vs ST16
S5 (Sheffield)
~930 kWh/kWp · -0% vs ST16