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Solar panel cost in Scottish Borders (TD1)

See realistic solar installation costs, savings and payback for TD1 (Scottish Borders) 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
12.6 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£5,481
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£433
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£5,355
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 Southern Scotland, the current unit rate is 25.85p/kWh with a 64.17p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 884 kWh/kW — 34 above the regional median (850).

Read the full story

A typical roof here lands around 3.0 kW, with most eligible homes comfortably fitting within 3–6 kW. Each kilowatt of panels produces roughly 884 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 25.9p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.

Unit rate
25.9p/kWh
Standing charge
64.2p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
884 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: £722, Upfront: £9,134, Break-even: 12.6 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1768 kWh 707 kWh 1061 kWh £183 £106 £289 £3,654 12.6 yrs £2,125
3 kW 2653 kWh 1061 kWh 1592 kWh £274 £159 £433 £5,481 12.6 yrs £3,188
4 kW 3537 kWh 1415 kWh 2122 kWh £366 £212 £578 £7,307 12.6 yrs £4,251
5 kW 4421 kWh 1768 kWh 2653 kWh £457 £265 £722 £9,134 12.6 yrs £5,313
6 kW 5305 kWh 2122 kWh 3183 kWh £549 £318 £867 £10,961 12.6 yrs £6,376
7 kW 6189 kWh 2476 kWh 3714 kWh £640 £371 £1,011 £12,788 12.6 yrs £7,438
8 kW 7073 kWh 2829 kWh 4244 kWh £731 £424 £1,156 £14,615 12.6 yrs £8,501

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: £863, Upfront: £11,234, Break-even: 13.0 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1768 kWh 1061 kWh 707 kWh £274 £71 £345 £5,754 16.7 yrs £1,146
3 kW 2653 kWh 1592 kWh 1061 kWh £411 £106 £518 £7,581 14.6 yrs £2,770
4 kW 3537 kWh 2122 kWh 1415 kWh £549 £141 £690 £9,407 13.6 yrs £4,393
5 kW 4421 kWh 2653 kWh 1768 kWh £686 £177 £863 £11,234 13.0 yrs £6,016
6 kW 5305 kWh 3183 kWh 2122 kWh £823 £212 £1,035 £13,061 12.6 yrs £7,639
7 kW 6189 kWh 3714 kWh 2476 kWh £960 £248 £1,208 £14,888 12.3 yrs £9,262
8 kW 7073 kWh 4244 kWh 2829 kWh £1,097 £283 £1,380 £16,715 12.1 yrs £10,886

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: £933, Upfront: £12,634, 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 1768 kWh 1238 kWh 531 kWh £320 £53 £373 £7,154 19.2 yrs £307
3 kW 2653 kWh 1857 kWh 796 kWh £480 £80 £560 £8,981 16.0 yrs £2,210
4 kW 3537 kWh 2476 kWh 1061 kWh £640 £106 £746 £10,807 14.5 yrs £4,114
5 kW 4421 kWh 3095 kWh 1326 kWh £800 £133 £933 £12,634 13.5 yrs £6,017
6 kW 5305 kWh 3714 kWh 1592 kWh £960 £159 £1,119 £14,461 12.9 yrs £7,921
7 kW 6189 kWh 4332 kWh 1857 kWh £1,120 £186 £1,306 £16,288 12.5 yrs £9,824
8 kW 7073 kWh 4951 kWh 2122 kWh £1,280 £212 £1,492 £18,115 12.1 yrs £11,728

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: £954, Upfront: £14,384, Break-even: 15.1 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1768 kWh 1291 kWh 477 kWh £334 £48 £381 £8,904 23.3 yrs £-1,275
3 kW 2653 kWh 1936 kWh 716 kWh £501 £72 £572 £10,731 18.8 yrs £713
4 kW 3537 kWh 2582 kWh 955 kWh £667 £95 £763 £12,557 16.5 yrs £2,700
5 kW 4421 kWh 3227 kWh 1194 kWh £834 £119 £954 £14,384 15.1 yrs £4,688
6 kW 5305 kWh 3873 kWh 1432 kWh £1,001 £143 £1,144 £16,211 14.2 yrs £6,675
7 kW 6189 kWh 4518 kWh 1671 kWh £1,168 £167 £1,335 £18,038 13.5 yrs £8,663
8 kW 7073 kWh 5164 kWh 1910 kWh £1,335 £191 £1,526 £19,865 13.0 yrs £10,650

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: £968, Upfront: £16,134, Break-even: 16.7 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1768 kWh 1326 kWh 442 kWh £343 £44 £387 £10,654 27.5 yrs £-2,913
3 kW 2653 kWh 1989 kWh 663 kWh £514 £66 £581 £12,481 21.5 yrs £-869
4 kW 3537 kWh 2653 kWh 884 kWh £686 £88 £774 £14,307 18.5 yrs £1,174
5 kW 4421 kWh 3316 kWh 1105 kWh £857 £111 £968 £16,134 16.7 yrs £3,218
6 kW 5305 kWh 3979 kWh 1326 kWh £1,029 £133 £1,161 £17,961 15.5 yrs £5,262
7 kW 6189 kWh 4642 kWh 1547 kWh £1,200 £155 £1,355 £19,788 14.6 yrs £7,305
8 kW 7073 kWh 5305 kWh 1768 kWh £1,371 £177 £1,548 £21,615 14.0 yrs £9,349

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: £982, Upfront: £18,584, Break-even: 18.9 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1768 kWh 1362 kWh 407 kWh £352 £41 £393 £13,104 33.4 yrs £-5,251
3 kW 2653 kWh 2042 kWh 610 kWh £528 £61 £589 £14,931 25.3 yrs £-3,151
4 kW 3537 kWh 2723 kWh 813 kWh £704 £81 £785 £16,757 21.3 yrs £-1,051
5 kW 4421 kWh 3404 kWh 1017 kWh £880 £102 £982 £18,584 18.9 yrs £1,048
6 kW 5305 kWh 4085 kWh 1220 kWh £1,056 £122 £1,178 £20,411 17.3 yrs £3,148
7 kW 6189 kWh 4766 kWh 1424 kWh £1,232 £142 £1,374 £22,238 16.2 yrs £5,248
8 kW 7073 kWh 5446 kWh 1627 kWh £1,408 £163 £1,571 £24,065 15.3 yrs £7,347

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 Scottish Borders

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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Check what MCS certification means

Understand DNO, G98 and G99 export limits

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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.

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Insights for TD1

Figures below are tailored to TD1 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #65 of 2182
6.9 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~14 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #2235 of 2996
11.3 years (UK avg 10.8 years)
~£867 /yr • £9,767 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #1744 of 2996
27.0% (UK avg 26.6%) drag on savings
£234 fixed • ~£867 /yr value
Aspect Penalty View ranking →
East −21.3% West −21.3%
Typical output loss versus a south-facing roof (lower is better)

Seasonal solar output in TD1

Monthly generation per kilowatt of solar panels

kWh 27 Jan 45 Feb 77 Mar 105 Apr 117 May 109 Jun 112 Jul 100 Aug 80 Sep 54 Oct 37 Nov 21 Dec
Best month Worst month Winter (Dec–Feb) Other months

Winter output: 42.1% 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 31 kWh per month; the average month produces around 74 kWh. So a typical 4 kW home system would generate roughly 124 kWh in winter, or 295 kWh in an average month.

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
25.85p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
64.17p/day
Local Sunshine
884kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~884 kWh per year. A typical home uses ~2,700 kWh per year.
Typical System Size
3.0kW
For houses & bungalows in this area

⚠️ This area is predominantly flats. Many residents require freeholder approval for solar installations. System size shown reflects houses and bungalows only.

Local Property Data

Property Types

Houses: 8% • Flats: 54% • Bungalows: 31% Based on 13 properties

Coverage

Scottish Borders (100%)

Areas Covered

Galashiels and District, Leaderdale and Melrose, Tweeddale East, Selkirkshire

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 Southern Scotland

TD6 (Scottish Borders)
≈6.8 km away
Local sunshine: ~897 kWh/kWp · +1% vs TD1
TD7 (Scottish Borders)
≈8.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~883 kWh/kWp · -0% vs TD1
TD4 (Scottish Borders)
≈8.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~883 kWh/kWp · -0% vs TD1
TD2 (Scottish Borders)
≈12.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~892 kWh/kWp · +1% vs TD1
EH43 (Scottish Borders)
≈12.9 km away
Local sunshine: ~833 kWh/kWp · -6% vs TD1
EH44 (Scottish Borders)
≈15.9 km away
Local sunshine: ~826 kWh/kWp · -7% vs TD1

Similar sunshine across the UK

LL61 (Isle of Anglesey)
~884 kWh/kWp · -0% vs TD1
PA76 (Argyll and Bute)
~884 kWh/kWp · -0% vs TD1
M32 (Trafford)
~884 kWh/kWp · -0% vs TD1