How Much Will Solar Panels Save You?
A typical UK home with a 4kWp solar system saves £600–£1,100 per year on electricity bills. The exact amount depends on your system size, how much electricity you use during daylight, your roof direction, and whether you have a battery. Here’s the breakdown.
At a glance
- Savings (4kWp, no battery)
- £600–£900/yr
- Savings (4kWp, with battery)
- £800–£1,100/yr
- SEG export income
- £100–£300/yr
- 25-year total savings
- £15,000–£28,000
See how much solar would save you
Quick personalised estimate based on your roof and electricity usage.
Savings by system size
How much you save depends on the size of your system and how much electricity you use directly.
| System | Without battery | With battery |
|---|---|---|
| 2kWp (5–6 panels) | £350–£500/yr | £450–£650/yr |
| 4kWp (10–12 panels) | £600–£900/yr | £800–£1,100/yr |
| 6kWp (16–20 panels) | £850–£1,100/yr | £1,100–£1,400/yr |
Self-consumption vs export
The key to solar savings is using the power yourself instead of exporting it. Electricity you use directly saves you 24.5p/kWh. Power you export earns only 5–15p/kWh through the Smart Export Guarantee. So using 1kWh yourself saves 10–20p more than exporting it. Running washing machines, dishwashers, and EV charging during daylight hours maximises savings.
The battery effect
Without a battery, a typical home uses 30–40% of solar generation directly and exports the rest at a lower rate. A battery pushes self-consumption to 60–80%. On a 4kWp system, that’s roughly £200–£400/year extra savings. A £3,000 battery therefore pays for itself in 7–15 years.
Smart Export Guarantee income
You can earn money from electricity you don’t use via the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Rates vary by supplier: Octopus offers up to 15p/kWh, others pay 5–10p/kWh. For a 4kWp system without battery, expect £100–£300/year in export income. This is on top of your self-consumption savings.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a solar panel save per year?
Can solar panels eliminate my electricity bill?
Do savings increase if electricity prices rise?
How much will I earn from exporting?
How we calculate estimates
Our estimates use published data from the Energy Saving Trust, Ofgem tariff caps, and MCS installer pricing. We model savings based on your home size, insulation level, and current heating system. All figures are indicative — your actual costs will depend on your installer's survey and quote.
See how much solar would save you
Quick personalised estimate based on your roof and electricity usage.