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Big Roof Britain Solar Payback Index Standing Charge Drag

Solar Panels in TQ6 (South Hams)

See if solar pays off for you in South Hams — 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
11.5 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£12,207
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£1,066
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£14,441
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 Southern Western, the current unit rate is 26.82p/kWh with a 54.03p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 1062 kWh/kW — 49 above the regional median (1013).

Read the full story

A typical roof here lands around 6.0 kW, with most eligible homes comfortably fitting within 3–6 kW. Each kilowatt of panels produces roughly 1062 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 26.8p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.

Unit rate
26.8p/kWh
Standing charge
54.0p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
1062 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: £888, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 11.5 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2124 kWh 850 kWh 1274 kWh £228 £127 £355 £4,069 11.5 yrs £3,037
3 kW 3186 kWh 1274 kWh 1912 kWh £342 £191 £533 £6,104 11.5 yrs £4,556
4 kW 4248 kWh 1699 kWh 2549 kWh £456 £255 £711 £8,138 11.5 yrs £6,074
5 kW 5310 kWh 2124 kWh 3186 kWh £570 £319 £888 £10,173 11.5 yrs £7,593
6 kW 6372 kWh 2549 kWh 3823 kWh £684 £382 £1,066 £12,207 11.5 yrs £9,111
7 kW 7434 kWh 2974 kWh 4460 kWh £798 £446 £1,244 £14,242 11.5 yrs £10,630
8 kW 8496 kWh 3398 kWh 5098 kWh £911 £510 £1,421 £16,276 11.5 yrs £12,148

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: £1,067, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 11.5 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2124 kWh 1274 kWh 850 kWh £342 £85 £427 £6,169 14.5 yrs £2,366
3 kW 3186 kWh 1912 kWh 1274 kWh £513 £127 £640 £8,204 12.8 yrs £4,599
4 kW 4248 kWh 2549 kWh 1699 kWh £684 £170 £854 £10,238 12.0 yrs £6,832
5 kW 5310 kWh 3186 kWh 2124 kWh £854 £212 £1,067 £12,273 11.5 yrs £9,065
6 kW 6372 kWh 3823 kWh 2549 kWh £1,025 £255 £1,280 £14,307 11.2 yrs £11,298
7 kW 7434 kWh 4460 kWh 2974 kWh £1,196 £297 £1,494 £16,342 10.9 yrs £13,531
8 kW 8496 kWh 5098 kWh 3398 kWh £1,367 £340 £1,707 £18,376 10.8 yrs £15,764

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: £1,156, Upfront: £13,673, 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 2124 kWh 1487 kWh 637 kWh £399 £64 £462 £7,569 16.4 yrs £1,681
3 kW 3186 kWh 2230 kWh 956 kWh £598 £96 £694 £9,604 13.8 yrs £4,271
4 kW 4248 kWh 2974 kWh 1274 kWh £798 £127 £925 £11,638 12.6 yrs £6,861
5 kW 5310 kWh 3717 kWh 1593 kWh £997 £159 £1,156 £13,673 11.8 yrs £9,451
6 kW 6372 kWh 4460 kWh 1912 kWh £1,196 £191 £1,387 £15,707 11.3 yrs £12,042
7 kW 7434 kWh 5204 kWh 2230 kWh £1,396 £223 £1,619 £17,742 11.0 yrs £14,632
8 kW 8496 kWh 5947 kWh 2549 kWh £1,595 £255 £1,850 £19,776 10.7 yrs £17,222

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: £1,183, Upfront: £15,423, 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 2124 kWh 1551 kWh 573 kWh £416 £57 £473 £9,319 19.7 yrs £145
3 kW 3186 kWh 2326 kWh 860 kWh £624 £86 £710 £11,354 16.0 yrs £2,842
4 kW 4248 kWh 3101 kWh 1147 kWh £832 £115 £946 £13,388 14.1 yrs £5,540
5 kW 5310 kWh 3876 kWh 1434 kWh £1,040 £143 £1,183 £15,423 13.0 yrs £8,237
6 kW 6372 kWh 4652 kWh 1720 kWh £1,248 £172 £1,420 £17,457 12.3 yrs £10,935
7 kW 7434 kWh 5427 kWh 2007 kWh £1,455 £201 £1,656 £19,492 11.8 yrs £13,632
8 kW 8496 kWh 6202 kWh 2294 kWh £1,663 £229 £1,893 £21,526 11.4 yrs £16,330

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: £1,201, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 14.3 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2124 kWh 1593 kWh 531 kWh £427 £53 £480 £11,069 23.0 yrs £-1,462
3 kW 3186 kWh 2390 kWh 796 kWh £641 £80 £721 £13,104 18.2 yrs £1,307
4 kW 4248 kWh 3186 kWh 1062 kWh £854 £106 £961 £15,138 15.8 yrs £4,076
5 kW 5310 kWh 3982 kWh 1328 kWh £1,068 £133 £1,201 £17,173 14.3 yrs £6,845
6 kW 6372 kWh 4779 kWh 1593 kWh £1,282 £159 £1,441 £19,207 13.3 yrs £9,613
7 kW 7434 kWh 5576 kWh 1858 kWh £1,495 £186 £1,681 £21,242 12.6 yrs £12,382
8 kW 8496 kWh 6372 kWh 2124 kWh £1,709 £212 £1,921 £23,276 12.1 yrs £15,151

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: £1,219, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 16.1 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2124 kWh 1635 kWh 489 kWh £439 £49 £487 £13,519 27.7 yrs £-3,769
3 kW 3186 kWh 2453 kWh 733 kWh £658 £73 £731 £15,554 21.3 yrs £-929
4 kW 4248 kWh 3271 kWh 977 kWh £877 £98 £975 £17,588 18.0 yrs £1,911
5 kW 5310 kWh 4089 kWh 1221 kWh £1,097 £122 £1,219 £19,623 16.1 yrs £4,752
6 kW 6372 kWh 4906 kWh 1466 kWh £1,316 £147 £1,462 £21,657 14.8 yrs £7,592
7 kW 7434 kWh 5724 kWh 1710 kWh £1,535 £171 £1,706 £23,692 13.9 yrs £10,433
8 kW 8496 kWh 6542 kWh 1954 kWh £1,755 £195 £1,950 £25,726 13.2 yrs £13,273

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 TQ6

Figures below are tailored to TQ6 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #749 of 2182
5.3 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~11 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #204 of 2997
10.0 years (UK avg 11.3 years)
~£1,227 /yr • £12,207 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #574 of 2997
16.1% (UK avg 21.7%) drag on savings
£197 fixed • ~£1,227 /yr value

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
26.82p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
54.03p/day
Local Sunshine
1062kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~1062 kWh per year. A typical home uses ~2,700 kWh per year.
Typical System Size
6.0kW
For houses & bungalows in this area

Local Property Data

Property Types

Houses: 58% • Flats: 23% • Bungalows: 13% Based on 3,666 properties

Coverage

South Hams (100%)

Areas Covered

Dartmouth & East Dart, Blackawton & Stoke Fleming, West Dart, Allington & Strete, Newton & Yealmpton

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 Southern Western

TQ5 (Torbay)
≈6.9 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,075 kWh/kWp · +1% vs TQ6
TQ4 (Torbay)
≈8.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,058 kWh/kWp · -0% vs TQ6
TQ3 (Torbay)
≈10.2 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,044 kWh/kWp · -2% vs TQ6
TQ9 (South Hams)
≈11.5 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,058 kWh/kWp · -0% vs TQ6
TQ2 (Torbay)
≈14.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,043 kWh/kWp · -2% vs TQ6
TQ1 (Torbay)
≈14.3 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,016 kWh/kWp · -4% vs TQ6

Similar sunshine across the UK

CO2 (Colchester)
~1,062 kWh/kWp · -0% vs TQ6
IP5 (East Suffolk)
~1,062 kWh/kWp · +0% vs TQ6
NR34 (East Suffolk)
~1,062 kWh/kWp · -0% vs TQ6