Independent solar numbers for your postcode using official UK data
Home Regions Guides Compare quotes Solar assistant
Insights
Big Roof Britain Solar Payback Index Standing Charge Drag Roof Direction Penalty Winter Solar Reality Seasonal Solar Output

Solar panel cost in York (YO1)

See realistic solar installation costs, savings and payback for YO1 (York) 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
12.1 years
After this, it's pure profit
Upfront Cost
£5,481
What you pay to get started
Annual Benefit
£454
What you save every year
Profit Over 25 Years
£5,877
After paying itself off, you're this much ahead

Ready to Get Started?

Get your free quote from Blue Ape Renewables. They'll connect you with MCS-certified installers in your area and handle all the paperwork.

Get Solar Quote →
4.8★ Trustpilot • Octopus Energy trusted partner • MCS certified • No obligation
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 Northern, the current unit rate is 25.22p/kWh with a 64.29p/day standing charge. Your postcode’s south-facing sunshine yield is 941 kWh/kW — 16 above the regional median (926).

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 941 kWh per year on a south-facing roof. We value self-used electricity at 25.2p and exported surplus at a baseline 10p via SEG. Use the calculator above for your exact tariff.

Unit rate
25.2p/kWh
Standing charge
64.3p/day
Sunshine yield (south)
941 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: £757, Upfront: £9,134, Break-even: 12.1 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1883 kWh 753 kWh 1130 kWh £190 £113 £303 £3,654 12.1 yrs £2,404
3 kW 2824 kWh 1130 kWh 1694 kWh £285 £169 £454 £5,481 12.1 yrs £3,606
4 kW 3765 kWh 1506 kWh 2259 kWh £380 £226 £606 £7,307 12.1 yrs £4,808
5 kW 4706 kWh 1883 kWh 2824 kWh £475 £282 £757 £9,134 12.1 yrs £6,009
6 kW 5648 kWh 2259 kWh 3389 kWh £570 £339 £909 £10,961 12.1 yrs £7,211
7 kW 6589 kWh 2636 kWh 3953 kWh £665 £395 £1,060 £12,788 12.1 yrs £8,413
8 kW 7530 kWh 3012 kWh 4518 kWh £760 £452 £1,211 £14,615 12.1 yrs £9,615

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: £900, Upfront: £11,234, Break-even: 12.5 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1883 kWh 1130 kWh 753 kWh £285 £75 £360 £5,754 16.0 yrs £1,450
3 kW 2824 kWh 1694 kWh 1130 kWh £427 £113 £540 £7,581 14.0 yrs £3,225
4 kW 3765 kWh 2259 kWh 1506 kWh £570 £151 £720 £9,407 13.1 yrs £5,000
5 kW 4706 kWh 2824 kWh 1883 kWh £712 £188 £900 £11,234 12.5 yrs £6,775
6 kW 5648 kWh 3389 kWh 2259 kWh £855 £226 £1,081 £13,061 12.1 yrs £8,550
7 kW 6589 kWh 3953 kWh 2636 kWh £997 £264 £1,261 £14,888 11.8 yrs £10,325
8 kW 7530 kWh 4518 kWh 3012 kWh £1,140 £301 £1,441 £16,715 11.6 yrs £12,100

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: £972, Upfront: £12,634, 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 1883 kWh 1318 kWh 565 kWh £332 £56 £389 £7,154 18.4 yrs £623
3 kW 2824 kWh 1977 kWh 847 kWh £499 £85 £583 £8,981 15.4 yrs £2,684
4 kW 3765 kWh 2636 kWh 1130 kWh £665 £113 £778 £10,807 13.9 yrs £4,746
5 kW 4706 kWh 3295 kWh 1412 kWh £831 £141 £972 £12,634 13.0 yrs £6,807
6 kW 5648 kWh 3953 kWh 1694 kWh £997 £169 £1,166 £14,461 12.4 yrs £8,869
7 kW 6589 kWh 4612 kWh 1977 kWh £1,163 £198 £1,361 £16,288 12.0 yrs £10,930
8 kW 7530 kWh 5271 kWh 2259 kWh £1,329 £226 £1,555 £18,115 11.6 yrs £12,992

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: £994, Upfront: £14,384, Break-even: 14.5 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1883 kWh 1374 kWh 508 kWh £347 £51 £397 £8,904 22.4 yrs £-955
3 kW 2824 kWh 2061 kWh 762 kWh £520 £76 £596 £10,731 18.0 yrs £1,192
4 kW 3765 kWh 2749 kWh 1017 kWh £693 £102 £795 £12,557 15.8 yrs £3,340
5 kW 4706 kWh 3436 kWh 1271 kWh £866 £127 £994 £14,384 14.5 yrs £5,487
6 kW 5648 kWh 4123 kWh 1525 kWh £1,040 £152 £1,192 £16,211 13.6 yrs £7,635
7 kW 6589 kWh 4810 kWh 1779 kWh £1,213 £178 £1,391 £18,038 13.0 yrs £9,782
8 kW 7530 kWh 5497 kWh 2033 kWh £1,386 £203 £1,590 £19,865 12.5 yrs £11,930

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: £1,008, Upfront: £16,134, Break-even: 16.0 yrs
System Annual output Self-use Exported Bill saving Export income Annual benefit Upfront cost Break-even 20-year net
2 kW 1883 kWh 1412 kWh 471 kWh £356 £47 £403 £10,654 26.4 yrs £-2,591
3 kW 2824 kWh 2118 kWh 706 kWh £534 £71 £605 £12,481 20.6 yrs £-386
4 kW 3765 kWh 2824 kWh 941 kWh £712 £94 £806 £14,307 17.7 yrs £1,819
5 kW 4706 kWh 3530 kWh 1177 kWh £890 £118 £1,008 £16,134 16.0 yrs £4,024
6 kW 5648 kWh 4236 kWh 1412 kWh £1,068 £141 £1,209 £17,961 14.9 yrs £6,228
7 kW 6589 kWh 4942 kWh 1647 kWh £1,246 £165 £1,411 £19,788 14.0 yrs £8,433
8 kW 7530 kWh 5648 kWh 1883 kWh £1,424 £188 £1,613 £21,615 13.4 yrs £10,638

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: £1,022, Upfront: £18,584, 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 1883 kWh 1450 kWh 433 kWh £366 £43 £409 £13,104 32.0 yrs £-4,926
3 kW 2824 kWh 2174 kWh 649 kWh £548 £65 £613 £14,931 24.3 yrs £-2,664
4 kW 3765 kWh 2899 kWh 866 kWh £731 £87 £818 £16,757 20.5 yrs £-402
5 kW 4706 kWh 3624 kWh 1082 kWh £914 £108 £1,022 £18,584 18.2 yrs £1,860
6 kW 5648 kWh 4349 kWh 1299 kWh £1,097 £130 £1,227 £20,411 16.6 yrs £4,122
7 kW 6589 kWh 5074 kWh 1515 kWh £1,280 £152 £1,431 £22,238 15.5 yrs £6,384
8 kW 7530 kWh 5798 kWh 1732 kWh £1,462 £173 £1,636 £24,065 14.7 yrs £8,646

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 York

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.

Compare solar quotes before you sign

Check what MCS certification means

Understand DNO, G98 and G99 export limits

New quote check

Want a quote sanity check for YO1?

Share the first part of your postcode and a few basics. We’ll help you check whether system size, battery, export and paperwork assumptions look sensible before you commit to installer conversations.

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.

Request a quote sanity check →

Insights for YO1

Figures below are tailored to YO1 — click through for full league tables.

Big-Roof Britain Rank #2179 of 2182
3.4 kWp (UK avg 5.1 kWp)
~7 panels (≈430 W)
Solar Payback Index Rank #1843 of 2996
10.8 years (UK avg 10.8 years)
~£757 /yr • £8,139 upfront
Standing-Charge Drag Rank #2247 of 2996
31.0% (UK avg 26.6%) drag on savings
£235 fixed • ~£757 /yr value
Aspect Penalty View ranking →
East −22.2% West −20.6%
Typical output loss versus a south-facing roof (lower is better)

Seasonal solar output in YO1

Monthly generation per kilowatt of solar panels

kWh 35 Jan 48 Feb 82 Mar 108 Apr 118 May 112 Jun 115 Jul 106 Aug 87 Sep 60 Oct 40 Nov 30 Dec
Best month Worst month Winter (Dec–Feb) Other months

Winter output: 48.1% 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 38 kWh per month; the average month produces around 78 kWh. So a typical 4 kW home system would generate roughly 151 kWh in winter, or 314 kWh in an average month.

Your Area at a Glance

Your Electricity Rate
25.22p/kWh
Daily Fixed Charge
64.29p/day
Local Sunshine
941kWh/kW
A 1 kW system generates ~941 kWh per year. A typical home uses ~2,700 kWh per year.
Typical System Size
3.0kW
For eligible homes 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: 17% • Flats: 78% • Bungalows: 0% Based on 3,169 properties

Coverage

York (98%)|North Yorkshire (2%)

Areas Covered

Guildhall, Micklegate, Fishergate, Osbaldwick & Derwent, Hull Road, Fulford & Heslington, Huby & Tollerton, Wheldrake + 4 more

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 Northern

YO90 (York)
≈0.9 km away
Local sunshine: ~941 kWh/kWp · -0% vs YO1
YO10 (York)
≈1.2 km away
Local sunshine: ~941 kWh/kWp · -0% vs YO1
YO31 (York)
≈1.5 km away
Local sunshine: ~941 kWh/kWp · +0% vs YO1
YO91 (York)
≈2.4 km away
Local sunshine: ~942 kWh/kWp · +0% vs YO1
YO30 (York)
≈2.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~938 kWh/kWp · -0% vs YO1
YO24 (York)
≈2.6 km away
Local sunshine: ~941 kWh/kWp · -0% vs YO1

Similar sunshine across the UK

WF6 (Wakefield)
~941 kWh/kWp · -0% vs YO1
TF4 (Telford and Wrekin)
~941 kWh/kWp · +0% vs YO1
ST14 (East Staffordshire)
~941 kWh/kWp · -0% vs YO1