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 922 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.
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: £744, Upfront: £10,173, Break-even: 13.7 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1845 kWh | 738 kWh | 1107 kWh | £187 | £111 | £298 | £4,069 | 13.7 yrs | £1,884 |
| 3 kW | 2767 kWh | 1107 kWh | 1660 kWh | £280 | £166 | £446 | £6,104 | 13.7 yrs | £2,825 |
| 4 kW | 3690 kWh | 1476 kWh | 2214 kWh | £374 | £221 | £595 | £8,138 | 13.7 yrs | £3,767 |
| 5 kW | 4612 kWh | 1845 kWh | 2767 kWh | £467 | £277 | £744 | £10,173 | 13.7 yrs | £4,709 |
| 6 kW | 5535 kWh | 2214 kWh | 3321 kWh | £561 | £332 | £893 | £12,207 | 13.7 yrs | £5,651 |
| 7 kW | 6457 kWh | 2583 kWh | 3874 kWh | £654 | £387 | £1,042 | £14,242 | 13.7 yrs | £6,592 |
| 8 kW | 7380 kWh | 2952 kWh | 4428 kWh | £748 | £443 | £1,191 | £16,276 | 13.7 yrs | £7,534 |
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: £885, Upfront: £12,273, Break-even: 13.9 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1845 kWh | 1107 kWh | 738 kWh | £280 | £74 | £354 | £6,169 | 17.4 yrs | £915 |
| 3 kW | 2767 kWh | 1660 kWh | 1107 kWh | £421 | £111 | £531 | £8,204 | 15.4 yrs | £2,422 |
| 4 kW | 3690 kWh | 2214 kWh | 1476 kWh | £561 | £148 | £708 | £10,238 | 14.5 yrs | £3,930 |
| 5 kW | 4612 kWh | 2767 kWh | 1845 kWh | £701 | £184 | £885 | £12,273 | 13.9 yrs | £5,437 |
| 6 kW | 5535 kWh | 3321 kWh | 2214 kWh | £841 | £221 | £1,063 | £14,307 | 13.5 yrs | £6,945 |
| 7 kW | 6457 kWh | 3874 kWh | 2583 kWh | £981 | £258 | £1,240 | £16,342 | 13.2 yrs | £8,452 |
| 8 kW | 7380 kWh | 4428 kWh | 2952 kWh | £1,122 | £295 | £1,417 | £18,376 | 13.0 yrs | £9,960 |
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: £956, Upfront: £13,673, 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 | 1845 kWh | 1291 kWh | 553 kWh | £327 | £55 | £382 | £7,569 | 19.8 yrs | £81 |
| 3 kW | 2767 kWh | 1937 kWh | 830 kWh | £491 | £83 | £574 | £9,604 | 16.7 yrs | £1,871 |
| 4 kW | 3690 kWh | 2583 kWh | 1107 kWh | £654 | £111 | £765 | £11,638 | 15.2 yrs | £3,661 |
| 5 kW | 4612 kWh | 3229 kWh | 1384 kWh | £818 | £138 | £956 | £13,673 | 14.3 yrs | £5,451 |
| 6 kW | 5535 kWh | 3874 kWh | 1660 kWh | £981 | £166 | £1,147 | £15,707 | 13.7 yrs | £7,242 |
| 7 kW | 6457 kWh | 4520 kWh | 1937 kWh | £1,145 | £194 | £1,339 | £17,742 | 13.3 yrs | £9,032 |
| 8 kW | 7380 kWh | 5166 kWh | 2214 kWh | £1,309 | £221 | £1,530 | £19,776 | 12.9 yrs | £10,822 |
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: £977, Upfront: £15,423, Break-even: 15.8 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1845 kWh | 1347 kWh | 498 kWh | £341 | £50 | £391 | £9,319 | 23.8 yrs | £-1,500 |
| 3 kW | 2767 kWh | 2020 kWh | 747 kWh | £512 | £75 | £586 | £11,354 | 19.4 yrs | £375 |
| 4 kW | 3690 kWh | 2694 kWh | 996 kWh | £682 | £100 | £782 | £13,388 | 17.1 yrs | £2,251 |
| 5 kW | 4612 kWh | 3367 kWh | 1245 kWh | £853 | £125 | £977 | £15,423 | 15.8 yrs | £4,126 |
| 6 kW | 5535 kWh | 4040 kWh | 1494 kWh | £1,023 | £149 | £1,173 | £17,457 | 14.9 yrs | £6,001 |
| 7 kW | 6457 kWh | 4714 kWh | 1743 kWh | £1,194 | £174 | £1,368 | £19,492 | 14.2 yrs | £7,876 |
| 8 kW | 7380 kWh | 5387 kWh | 1993 kWh | £1,365 | £199 | £1,564 | £21,526 | 13.8 yrs | £9,751 |
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: £992, Upfront: £17,173, Break-even: 17.3 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1845 kWh | 1384 kWh | 461 kWh | £350 | £46 | £397 | £11,069 | 27.9 yrs | £-3,137 |
| 3 kW | 2767 kWh | 2076 kWh | 692 kWh | £526 | £69 | £595 | £13,104 | 22.0 yrs | £-1,205 |
| 4 kW | 3690 kWh | 2767 kWh | 922 kWh | £701 | £92 | £793 | £15,138 | 19.1 yrs | £727 |
| 5 kW | 4612 kWh | 3459 kWh | 1153 kWh | £876 | £115 | £992 | £17,173 | 17.3 yrs | £2,658 |
| 6 kW | 5535 kWh | 4151 kWh | 1384 kWh | £1,051 | £138 | £1,190 | £19,207 | 16.1 yrs | £4,590 |
| 7 kW | 6457 kWh | 4843 kWh | 1614 kWh | £1,227 | £161 | £1,388 | £21,242 | 15.3 yrs | £6,522 |
| 8 kW | 7380 kWh | 5535 kWh | 1845 kWh | £1,402 | £184 | £1,586 | £23,276 | 14.7 yrs | £8,454 |
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: £1,006, Upfront: £19,623, Break-even: 19.5 yrs
| System | Annual output | Self-use | Exported | Bill saving | Export income | Annual benefit | Upfront cost | Break-even | 20-year net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kW | 1845 kWh | 1421 kWh | 424 kWh | £360 | £42 | £402 | £13,519 | 33.6 yrs | £-5,473 |
| 3 kW | 2767 kWh | 2131 kWh | 637 kWh | £540 | £64 | £603 | £15,554 | 25.8 yrs | £-3,485 |
| 4 kW | 3690 kWh | 2841 kWh | 849 kWh | £720 | £85 | £805 | £17,588 | 21.9 yrs | £-1,497 |
| 5 kW | 4612 kWh | 3552 kWh | 1061 kWh | £900 | £106 | £1,006 | £19,623 | 19.5 yrs | £491 |
| 6 kW | 5535 kWh | 4262 kWh | 1273 kWh | £1,080 | £127 | £1,207 | £21,657 | 17.9 yrs | £2,480 |
| 7 kW | 6457 kWh | 4972 kWh | 1485 kWh | £1,259 | £149 | £1,408 | £23,692 | 16.8 yrs | £4,468 |
| 8 kW | 7380 kWh | 5682 kWh | 1697 kWh | £1,439 | £170 | £1,609 | £25,726 | 16.0 yrs | £6,456 |
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.