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Solar panel cost in Stoke-on-Trent (ST3)

See realistic solar installation costs, savings and payback for ST3 (Stoke-on-Trent) 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
12.5 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£7,307
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£587
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£7,366
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 Midlands, the current unit rate is 25.33p/kWh with a 59.71p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 910 kWh/kW — 32 below the regional median (942).

Read the full story

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 910 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
59.7p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
910 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: £734, Upfront: £9,134, Break-even: 12.5 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1819 kWh 728 kWh 1091 kWh £184 £109 £293 £3,654 12.5 yrs £2,216
3 kW 2729 kWh 1091 kWh 1637 kWh £276 £164 £440 £5,481 12.5 yrs £3,323
4 kW 3638 kWh 1455 kWh 2183 kWh £369 £218 £587 £7,307 12.5 yrs £4,431
5 kW 4548 kWh 1819 kWh 2729 kWh £461 £273 £734 £9,134 12.5 yrs £5,539
6 kW 5457 kWh 2183 kWh 3274 kWh £553 £327 £880 £10,961 12.5 yrs £6,647
7 kW 6367 kWh 2547 kWh 3820 kWh £645 £382 £1,027 £12,788 12.5 yrs £7,754
8 kW 7276 kWh 2911 kWh 4366 kWh £737 £437 £1,174 £14,615 12.5 yrs £8,862

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,827, battery £/kWh = 700.

3 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £873, Upfront: £11,234, Break-even: 12.9 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1819 kWh 1091 kWh 728 kWh £276 £73 £349 £5,754 16.5 yrs £1,231
3 kW 2729 kWh 1637 kWh 1091 kWh £415 £109 £524 £7,581 14.5 yrs £2,897
4 kW 3638 kWh 2183 kWh 1455 kWh £553 £146 £698 £9,407 13.5 yrs £4,562
5 kW 4548 kWh 2729 kWh 1819 kWh £691 £182 £873 £11,234 12.9 yrs £6,228
6 kW 5457 kWh 3274 kWh 2183 kWh £829 £218 £1,048 £13,061 12.5 yrs £7,893
7 kW 6367 kWh 3820 kWh 2547 kWh £968 £255 £1,222 £14,888 12.2 yrs £9,559
8 kW 7276 kWh 4366 kWh 2911 kWh £1,106 £291 £1,397 £16,715 12.0 yrs £11,224

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,827, battery £/kWh = 700.

5 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £943, Upfront: £12,634, 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 1819 kWh 1273 kWh 546 kWh £323 £55 £377 £7,154 19.0 yrs £389
3 kW 2729 kWh 1910 kWh 819 kWh £484 £82 £566 £8,981 15.9 yrs £2,333
4 kW 3638 kWh 2547 kWh 1091 kWh £645 £109 £754 £10,807 14.3 yrs £4,278
5 kW 4548 kWh 3183 kWh 1364 kWh £806 £136 £943 £12,634 13.4 yrs £6,222
6 kW 5457 kWh 3820 kWh 1637 kWh £968 £164 £1,131 £14,461 12.8 yrs £8,166
7 kW 6367 kWh 4457 kWh 1910 kWh £1,129 £191 £1,320 £16,288 12.3 yrs £10,111
8 kW 7276 kWh 5094 kWh 2183 kWh £1,290 £218 £1,508 £18,115 12.0 yrs £12,055

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,827, battery £/kWh = 700.

7.5 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £964, Upfront: £14,384, Break-even: 14.9 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1819 kWh 1328 kWh 491 kWh £336 £49 £385 £8,904 23.1 yrs £-1,194
3 kW 2729 kWh 1992 kWh 737 kWh £505 £74 £578 £10,731 18.6 yrs £834
4 kW 3638 kWh 2656 kWh 982 kWh £673 £98 £771 £12,557 16.3 yrs £2,862
5 kW 4548 kWh 3320 kWh 1228 kWh £841 £123 £964 £14,384 14.9 yrs £4,890
6 kW 5457 kWh 3984 kWh 1473 kWh £1,009 £147 £1,156 £16,211 14.0 yrs £6,918
7 kW 6367 kWh 4648 kWh 1719 kWh £1,177 £172 £1,349 £18,038 13.4 yrs £8,946
8 kW 7276 kWh 5312 kWh 1965 kWh £1,345 £196 £1,542 £19,865 12.9 yrs £10,974

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,827, battery £/kWh = 700.

10 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £978, Upfront: £16,134, 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 1819 kWh 1364 kWh 455 kWh £346 £45 £391 £10,654 27.2 yrs £-2,832
3 kW 2729 kWh 2047 kWh 682 kWh £518 £68 £587 £12,481 21.3 yrs £-749
4 kW 3638 kWh 2729 kWh 910 kWh £691 £91 £782 £14,307 18.3 yrs £1,335
5 kW 4548 kWh 3411 kWh 1137 kWh £864 £114 £978 £16,134 16.5 yrs £3,419
6 kW 5457 kWh 4093 kWh 1364 kWh £1,037 £136 £1,173 £17,961 15.3 yrs £5,503
7 kW 6367 kWh 4775 kWh 1592 kWh £1,210 £159 £1,369 £19,788 14.5 yrs £7,587
8 kW 7276 kWh 5457 kWh 1819 kWh £1,382 £182 £1,564 £21,615 13.8 yrs £9,671

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,827, battery £/kWh = 700.

13.5 kWh battery 5 kW example → Annual benefit: £992, Upfront: £18,584, Break-even: 18.7 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1819 kWh 1401 kWh 418 kWh £355 £42 £397 £13,104 33.0 yrs £-5,171
3 kW 2729 kWh 2101 kWh 628 kWh £532 £63 £595 £14,931 25.1 yrs £-3,031
4 kW 3638 kWh 2801 kWh 837 kWh £710 £84 £793 £16,757 21.1 yrs £-892
5 kW 4548 kWh 3502 kWh 1046 kWh £887 £105 £992 £18,584 18.7 yrs £1,248
6 kW 5457 kWh 4202 kWh 1255 kWh £1,064 £126 £1,190 £20,411 17.2 yrs £3,388
7 kW 6367 kWh 4903 kWh 1464 kWh £1,242 £146 £1,388 £22,238 16.0 yrs £5,527
8 kW 7276 kWh 5603 kWh 1674 kWh £1,419 £167 £1,587 £24,065 15.2 yrs £7,667

Assumptions: south-facing, sensible tilt; self-use shares from site rules; export at 10p baseline. Costs: panels £/kW = 1,827, 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 Stoke-on-Trent

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 ST3

Figures below are tailored to ST3 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #1437 of 2182
4.7 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~10 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #2704 of 2996
12.4 years (UK avg 10.8 years)
~£587 /yr • £7,307 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #2703 of 2996
37.1% (UK avg 26.6%) drag on savings
£218 fixed • ~£587 /yr value
Aspect Penalty View ranking →
East −19.8% West −19.1%
Typical output loss versus a south-facing roof (lower is better)

Seasonal solar output in ST3

Monthly generation per kilowatt of solar panels

kWh 31 Jan 46 Feb 79 Mar 106 Apr 114 May 112 Jun 112 Jul 102 Aug 85 Sep 57 Oct 38 Nov 28 Dec
Best month Worst month Winter (Dec–Feb) Other months

Winter output: 45.9% 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 139 kWh in winter, or 303 kWh in an average month.

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
25.33p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
59.71p/day
Local Sunshine
910kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~910 kWh per year. A typical home uses ~2,700 kWh per year.
Typical System Size
4.0kW
For houses & bungalows in this area

Local Property Data

Property Types

Houses: 75% • Flats: 10% • Bungalows: 14% Based on 15,538 properties

Coverage

Stoke-on-Trent (95%)|Stafford (4%)

Areas Covered

Longton & Meir Hay South, Lightwood North & Normacot, Meir Hay North, Parkhall & Weston Coyney, Dresden & Florence, Meir Park, Blurton, Meir North + 6 more

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 Midlands

ST11 (Staffordshire Moorlands)
≈4.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~916 kWh/kWp · +1% vs ST3
ST4 (Stoke-on-Trent)
≈4.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~899 kWh/kWp · -1% vs ST3
ST2 (Stoke-on-Trent)
≈4.8 km away
Local sunshine: ~911 kWh/kWp · +0% vs ST3
ST12 (Stafford)
≈5.2 km away
Local sunshine: ~921 kWh/kWp · +1% vs ST3
ST1 (Stoke-on-Trent)
≈6.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~900 kWh/kWp · -1% vs ST3
ST9 (Staffordshire Moorlands)
≈8.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~918 kWh/kWp · +1% vs ST3

Similar sunshine across the UK

LS19 (Leeds)
~910 kWh/kWp · -0% vs ST3
NE29 (North Tyneside)
~909 kWh/kWp · -0% vs ST3
NE30 (North Tyneside)
~909 kWh/kWp · -0% vs ST3