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Enter your details and click Calculate Savings
to see your personalised solar projection.
Calculate your annual savings, Smart Export Guarantee income, payback period and 25-year return on investment for solar panels in the UK.
Enter your details and click Calculate Savings
to see your personalised solar projection.
South-facing roof · Midlands location · 28p/kWh electricity · 5p SEG rate
| System | Panels | Installed Cost | Annual Generation | Annual Saving | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kWp | 5 panels | £4,000-£5,000 | 1,700 kWh | ~£385/yr | 11-13 yrs |
| 3 kWp | 8 panels | £5,400-£6,500 | 2,550 kWh | ~£560/yr | 10-12 yrs |
| 4 kWp | 10 panels | £7,000-£8,500 | 3,400 kWh | ~£730/yr | 9-11 yrs |
| 5 kWp | 13 panels | £8,500-£10,000 | 4,250 kWh | ~£880/yr | 9-11 yrs |
| 6 kWp | 15 panels | £9,500-£11,500 | 5,100 kWh | ~£1,040/yr | 9-11 yrs |
A typical 4kWp south-facing system generates around 3,400 kWh/year. At 28p/kWh with 35% self-consumption you save roughly £530 on bills, plus ~£115 in SEG export income — around £650/year total. Adding a battery increases self-consumption to ~75%, pushing total annual benefit to around £850.
Most UK solar systems pay back in 8-12 years. A 4kWp system costs around £7,000-£8,500 and saves £700-£900/year, giving a payback of roughly 8-11 years. South-facing roofs in southern England pay back fastest. As electricity prices increase, payback periods shorten.
The SEG requires large energy suppliers to pay you for surplus electricity exported to the grid. Rates range from 3p to 15p/kWh depending on your supplier. You need a smart meter to qualify. Without a battery, a 4kWp system exports around 2,200 kWh/year, earning £110-£330 per year depending on your SEG rate.
A battery stores surplus daytime generation for evening use, boosting self-consumption from ~35% to ~75%. A 10kWh battery costs around £4,500 and adds £200-£400/year in extra savings. The standalone payback on a battery is typically 10-15 years, making it more marginal than the panels themselves — but the combination gives the best overall return.
Yes. Solar panels generate electricity from daylight, not direct sunlight. The UK averages 900-1,150 peak sun hours per year by region. South West England gets the most; Scotland the least. Even in Scotland a solar system generates worthwhile savings, particularly as electricity prices continue rising.
For informational purposes only · Not financial advice · Costs and savings are estimates based on typical UK installations · Always get quotes from MCS-accredited installers