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Big Roof Britain Solar Payback Index Standing Charge Drag

Solar Panels in WA10 (St. Helens)

See if solar pays off for you in St. Helens — 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
13.1 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£8,138
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£623
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£7,427
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 North Wales and Mersey, the current unit rate is 27.72p/kWh with a 69.95p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 911 kWh/kW — 19 below the regional median (930).

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 911 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 27.7p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.

Unit rate
27.7p/kWh
Standing charge
70.0p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
911 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: £778, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 13.1 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1822 kWh 729 kWh 1093 kWh £202 £109 £311 £4,069 13.1 yrs £2,157
3 kW 2733 kWh 1093 kWh 1640 kWh £303 £164 £467 £6,104 13.1 yrs £3,236
4 kW 3644 kWh 1457 kWh 2186 kWh £404 £219 £623 £8,138 13.1 yrs £4,314
5 kW 4554 kWh 1822 kWh 2733 kWh £505 £273 £778 £10,173 13.1 yrs £5,393
6 kW 5465 kWh 2186 kWh 3279 kWh £606 £328 £934 £12,207 13.1 yrs £6,471
7 kW 6376 kWh 2551 kWh 3826 kWh £707 £383 £1,090 £14,242 13.1 yrs £7,550
8 kW 7287 kWh 2915 kWh 4372 kWh £808 £437 £1,245 £16,276 13.1 yrs £8,629

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: £940, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 13.1 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1822 kWh 1093 kWh 729 kWh £303 £73 £376 £6,169 16.4 yrs £1,348
3 kW 2733 kWh 1640 kWh 1093 kWh £455 £109 £564 £8,204 14.6 yrs £3,073
4 kW 3644 kWh 2186 kWh 1457 kWh £606 £146 £752 £10,238 13.6 yrs £4,797
5 kW 4554 kWh 2733 kWh 1822 kWh £758 £182 £940 £12,273 13.1 yrs £6,521
6 kW 5465 kWh 3279 kWh 2186 kWh £909 £219 £1,128 £14,307 12.7 yrs £8,245
7 kW 6376 kWh 3826 kWh 2551 kWh £1,061 £255 £1,316 £16,342 12.4 yrs £9,970
8 kW 7287 kWh 4372 kWh 2915 kWh £1,212 £291 £1,503 £18,376 12.2 yrs £11,694

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: £1,020, Upfront: £13,673, 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 1822 kWh 1275 kWh 547 kWh £354 £55 £408 £7,569 18.5 yrs £594
3 kW 2733 kWh 1913 kWh 820 kWh £530 £82 £612 £9,604 15.7 yrs £2,641
4 kW 3644 kWh 2551 kWh 1093 kWh £707 £109 £816 £11,638 14.3 yrs £4,688
5 kW 4554 kWh 3188 kWh 1366 kWh £884 £137 £1,020 £13,673 13.4 yrs £6,735
6 kW 5465 kWh 3826 kWh 1640 kWh £1,061 £164 £1,224 £15,707 12.8 yrs £8,782
7 kW 6376 kWh 4463 kWh 1913 kWh £1,237 £191 £1,429 £17,742 12.4 yrs £10,829
8 kW 7287 kWh 5101 kWh 2186 kWh £1,414 £219 £1,633 £19,776 12.1 yrs £12,876

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: £1,045, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 14.8 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1822 kWh 1330 kWh 492 kWh £369 £49 £418 £9,319 22.3 yrs £-962
3 kW 2733 kWh 1995 kWh 738 kWh £553 £74 £627 £11,354 18.1 yrs £1,182
4 kW 3644 kWh 2660 kWh 984 kWh £737 £98 £836 £13,388 16.0 yrs £3,326
5 kW 4554 kWh 3325 kWh 1230 kWh £922 £123 £1,045 £15,423 14.8 yrs £5,469
6 kW 5465 kWh 3990 kWh 1476 kWh £1,106 £148 £1,254 £17,457 13.9 yrs £7,613
7 kW 6376 kWh 4655 kWh 1722 kWh £1,290 £172 £1,462 £19,492 13.3 yrs £9,757
8 kW 7287 kWh 5320 kWh 1968 kWh £1,475 £197 £1,671 £21,526 12.9 yrs £11,901

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: £1,061, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 16.2 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1822 kWh 1366 kWh 455 kWh £379 £46 £424 £11,069 26.1 yrs £-2,583
3 kW 2733 kWh 2050 kWh 683 kWh £568 £68 £636 £13,104 20.6 yrs £-375
4 kW 3644 kWh 2733 kWh 911 kWh £758 £91 £849 £15,138 17.8 yrs £1,834
5 kW 4554 kWh 3416 kWh 1139 kWh £947 £114 £1,061 £17,173 16.2 yrs £4,042
6 kW 5465 kWh 4099 kWh 1366 kWh £1,136 £137 £1,273 £19,207 15.1 yrs £6,251
7 kW 6376 kWh 4782 kWh 1594 kWh £1,326 £159 £1,485 £21,242 14.3 yrs £8,459
8 kW 7287 kWh 5465 kWh 1822 kWh £1,515 £182 £1,697 £23,276 13.7 yrs £10,668

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: £1,077, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 18.2 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1822 kWh 1403 kWh 419 kWh £389 £42 £431 £13,519 31.4 yrs £-4,904
3 kW 2733 kWh 2104 kWh 629 kWh £583 £63 £646 £15,554 24.1 yrs £-2,631
4 kW 3644 kWh 2806 kWh 838 kWh £778 £84 £862 £17,588 20.4 yrs £-358
5 kW 4554 kWh 3507 kWh 1048 kWh £972 £105 £1,077 £19,623 18.2 yrs £1,915
6 kW 5465 kWh 4208 kWh 1257 kWh £1,167 £126 £1,292 £21,657 16.8 yrs £4,188
7 kW 6376 kWh 4910 kWh 1467 kWh £1,361 £147 £1,508 £23,692 15.7 yrs £6,461
8 kW 7287 kWh 5611 kWh 1676 kWh £1,555 £168 £1,723 £25,726 14.9 yrs £8,734

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 WA10

Figures below are tailored to WA10 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #1972 of 2182
4.2 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~9 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #1624 of 2997
11.3 years (UK avg 11.3 years)
~£719 /yr • £8,138 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #2880 of 2997
35.5% (UK avg 21.7%) drag on savings
£255 fixed • ~£719 /yr value

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
27.72p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
69.95p/day
Local Sunshine
911kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~911 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: 74% • Flats: 23% • Bungalows: 4% Based on 13,384 properties

Coverage

St. Helens (100%)

Areas Covered

St Helens Town Centre, Windle, West Park, Eccleston, Thatto Heath, Moss Bank, Prescot North, Peasley Cross & Fingerpost

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 North Wales and Mersey

WA11 (St. Helens)
≈2.8 km away
Local sunshine: ~908 kWh/kWp · -0% vs WA10
WA9 (St. Helens)
≈2.9 km away
Local sunshine: ~911 kWh/kWp · +0% vs WA10
L34 (Knowsley)
≈4.5 km away
Local sunshine: ~922 kWh/kWp · +1% vs WA10
L35 (Knowsley)
≈4.8 km away
Local sunshine: ~914 kWh/kWp · +0% vs WA10
L36 (Knowsley)
≈7.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~919 kWh/kWp · +1% vs WA10
L28 (Knowsley)
≈8.0 km away
Local sunshine: ~926 kWh/kWp · +2% vs WA10

Similar sunshine across the UK

DD2 (Dundee City)
~911 kWh/kWp · +0% vs WA10
BD10 (Bradford)
~911 kWh/kWp · -0% vs WA10
DD1 (Dundee City)
~911 kWh/kWp · -0% vs WA10