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Big Roof Britain Solar Payback Index Standing Charge Drag

Solar Panels in TR7 (Cornwall)

See if solar pays off for you in Cornwall — 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
11.8 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£10,173
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£861
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£11,358
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 1030 kWh/kW — 16 above the regional median (1013).

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 1030 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)
1030 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: £861, Upfront: £10,173, 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 2059 kWh 824 kWh 1236 kWh £221 £124 £344 £4,069 11.8 yrs £2,821
3 kW 3089 kWh 1236 kWh 1853 kWh £331 £185 £517 £6,104 11.8 yrs £4,231
4 kW 4119 kWh 1647 kWh 2471 kWh £442 £247 £689 £8,138 11.8 yrs £5,641
5 kW 5148 kWh 2059 kWh 3089 kWh £552 £309 £861 £10,173 11.8 yrs £7,052
6 kW 6178 kWh 2471 kWh 3707 kWh £663 £371 £1,033 £12,207 11.8 yrs £8,462
7 kW 7208 kWh 2883 kWh 4325 kWh £773 £432 £1,206 £14,242 11.8 yrs £9,872
8 kW 8237 kWh 3295 kWh 4942 kWh £884 £494 £1,378 £16,276 11.8 yrs £11,283

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: £1,034, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 11.9 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2059 kWh 1236 kWh 824 kWh £331 £82 £414 £6,169 14.9 yrs £2,106
3 kW 3089 kWh 1853 kWh 1236 kWh £497 £124 £621 £8,204 13.2 yrs £4,209
4 kW 4119 kWh 2471 kWh 1647 kWh £663 £165 £828 £10,238 12.4 yrs £6,312
5 kW 5148 kWh 3089 kWh 2059 kWh £828 £206 £1,034 £12,273 11.9 yrs £8,415
6 kW 6178 kWh 3707 kWh 2471 kWh £994 £247 £1,241 £14,307 11.5 yrs £10,518
7 kW 7208 kWh 4325 kWh 2883 kWh £1,160 £288 £1,448 £16,342 11.3 yrs £12,622
8 kW 8237 kWh 4942 kWh 3295 kWh £1,326 £329 £1,655 £18,376 11.1 yrs £14,725

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: £1,121, Upfront: £13,673, Break-even: 12.2 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2059 kWh 1442 kWh 618 kWh £387 £62 £448 £7,569 16.9 yrs £1,399
3 kW 3089 kWh 2162 kWh 927 kWh £580 £93 £673 £9,604 14.3 yrs £3,848
4 kW 4119 kWh 2883 kWh 1236 kWh £773 £124 £897 £11,638 13.0 yrs £6,298
5 kW 5148 kWh 3604 kWh 1544 kWh £967 £154 £1,121 £13,673 12.2 yrs £8,747
6 kW 6178 kWh 4325 kWh 1853 kWh £1,160 £185 £1,345 £15,707 11.7 yrs £11,197
7 kW 7208 kWh 5045 kWh 2162 kWh £1,353 £216 £1,569 £17,742 11.3 yrs £13,646
8 kW 8237 kWh 5766 kWh 2471 kWh £1,546 £247 £1,794 £19,776 11.0 yrs £16,096

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: £1,147, 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 2059 kWh 1503 kWh 556 kWh £403 £56 £459 £9,319 20.3 yrs £-143
3 kW 3089 kWh 2255 kWh 834 kWh £605 £83 £688 £11,354 16.5 yrs £2,410
4 kW 4119 kWh 3007 kWh 1112 kWh £806 £111 £918 £13,388 14.6 yrs £4,963
5 kW 5148 kWh 3758 kWh 1390 kWh £1,008 £139 £1,147 £15,423 13.4 yrs £7,517
6 kW 6178 kWh 4510 kWh 1668 kWh £1,210 £167 £1,376 £17,457 12.7 yrs £10,070
7 kW 7208 kWh 5262 kWh 1946 kWh £1,411 £195 £1,606 £19,492 12.1 yrs £12,624
8 kW 8237 kWh 6013 kWh 2224 kWh £1,613 £222 £1,835 £21,526 11.7 yrs £15,177

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: £1,164, 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 2059 kWh 1544 kWh 515 kWh £414 £51 £466 £11,069 23.8 yrs £-1,755
3 kW 3089 kWh 2317 kWh 772 kWh £621 £77 £699 £13,104 18.8 yrs £868
4 kW 4119 kWh 3089 kWh 1030 kWh £828 £103 £931 £15,138 16.3 yrs £3,491
5 kW 5148 kWh 3861 kWh 1287 kWh £1,036 £129 £1,164 £17,173 14.7 yrs £6,113
6 kW 6178 kWh 4633 kWh 1544 kWh £1,243 £154 £1,397 £19,207 13.7 yrs £8,736
7 kW 7208 kWh 5406 kWh 1802 kWh £1,450 £180 £1,630 £21,242 13.0 yrs £11,358
8 kW 8237 kWh 6178 kWh 2059 kWh £1,657 £206 £1,863 £23,276 12.5 yrs £13,981

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: £1,182, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 16.6 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 2059 kWh 1586 kWh 474 kWh £425 £47 £473 £13,519 28.6 yrs £-4,066
3 kW 3089 kWh 2379 kWh 710 kWh £638 £71 £709 £15,554 21.9 yrs £-1,374
4 kW 4119 kWh 3171 kWh 947 kWh £851 £95 £945 £17,588 18.6 yrs £1,318
5 kW 5148 kWh 3964 kWh 1184 kWh £1,063 £118 £1,182 £19,623 16.6 yrs £4,010
6 kW 6178 kWh 4757 kWh 1421 kWh £1,276 £142 £1,418 £21,657 15.3 yrs £6,702
7 kW 7208 kWh 5550 kWh 1658 kWh £1,488 £166 £1,654 £23,692 14.3 yrs £9,393
8 kW 8237 kWh 6343 kWh 1895 kWh £1,701 £189 £1,891 £25,726 13.6 yrs £12,085

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 TR7

Figures below are tailored to TR7 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #1469 of 2182
4.7 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~10 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #380 of 2997
10.3 years (UK avg 11.3 years)
~£991 /yr • £10,173 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #1375 of 2997
19.9% (UK avg 21.7%) drag on savings
£197 fixed • ~£991 /yr value

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
26.82p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
54.03p/day
Local Sunshine
1030kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~1030 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: 43% • Flats: 43% • Bungalows: 12% Based on 8,227 properties

Coverage

Cornwall (100%)

Areas Covered

Newquay Central & Pentire, Newquay Trenance, Newquay Porth & Tretherras, St Columb Minor & Colan

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

TR8 (Cornwall)
≈3.1 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,023 kWh/kWp · -1% vs TR7
TR6 (Cornwall)
≈9.4 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,032 kWh/kWp · +0% vs TR7
TR9 (Cornwall)
≈10.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~988 kWh/kWp · -4% vs TR7
TR5 (Cornwall)
≈14.3 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,025 kWh/kWp · -0% vs TR7
TR4 (Cornwall)
≈15.3 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,005 kWh/kWp · -2% vs TR7
PL28 (Cornwall)
≈15.7 km away
Local sunshine: ~1,013 kWh/kWp · -2% vs TR7

Similar sunshine across the UK

RM16 (Thurrock)
~1,030 kWh/kWp · +0% vs TR7
BH31 (Dorset)
~1,030 kWh/kWp · +0% vs TR7
CO10 (Babergh)
~1,030 kWh/kWp · -0% vs TR7