UK Solar Panel Savings Calculator
See exactly how much your solar panels will save you each year — broken down by region, self-consumption, and SEG export earnings. Uses real Ofgem rates and UK sun-hour data.
Annual Savings Breakdown
Savings Over Time
| Period | Bill Savings | SEG Income | Total Benefit |
|---|
Based on the system cost entered. Actual payback depends on electricity price changes and panel performance over time.
🇬🇧 Could you get solar for free or at reduced cost?
ECO4, the Warm Homes Plan, and other UK schemes can fund solar panels at £0 cost for qualifying households. Check your eligibility in 2 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do solar panels save on average in the UK?
A typical UK 4kWp solar system saves £500–£900 per year in electricity bills, plus £100–£300 in Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments — a combined annual benefit of £600–£1,200. The actual figure varies by: your region (Scotland generates ~20% less than Cornwall), how much time you spend at home during the day (affects self-consumption), and your electricity tariff. Homes with a heat pump or EV gain significantly more by using solar power to run them.
What is the difference between solar savings and SEG income?
Solar savings are the electricity import costs you avoid by using your own solar power — valued at your import rate (e.g., 24.5p/kWh). SEG income is the money your energy supplier pays you for electricity you export back to the grid — valued at your SEG rate (e.g., 7–20p/kWh). Because SEG rates are lower than import rates, self-consumption is more valuable than exporting. This is why shifting usage (dishwasher, washing machine) to sunny midday hours increases total savings.
Does my UK region significantly affect solar savings?
Yes, noticeably. Annual solar output per kWp ranges from around 900 kWh in Scotland to 1,200+ kWh in Cornwall — a 30%+ difference. For a 4kWp system, that means Scotland generates ~3,600 kWh/year vs 4,800+ kWh in the South West. However, Scotland's frequently cloudier and colder climate also tends to come with higher electricity usage, so the financial case for solar is still strong across the UK.
What does self-consumption rate mean?
Self-consumption is the percentage of your solar electricity that you use directly in your home, rather than exporting to the grid. A household where someone is home all day using appliances might achieve 60–70% self-consumption. A household where everyone is out 9–5 might only self-consume 25–35%. Adding a battery storage system is the single biggest way to increase self-consumption — you store midday generation for evening use.
How does the 0% VAT affect solar savings?
Since April 2022, all UK solar panel installations attract 0% VAT (down from 20%). On a typical 4kWp system costing £8,000 inc. 0% VAT, this represents a saving of around £1,333 compared to what you would have paid before. This doesn't affect your ongoing annual savings figure, but it meaningfully reduces your upfront cost and therefore shortens your payback period.
Can I increase my solar savings?
Yes — several strategies help: (1) Time appliance use to midday (dishwasher, washing machine, oven) to increase self-consumption. (2) Add battery storage to capture afternoon surplus for evening use. (3) Charge an EV during the day using free solar electricity. (4) Switch to a higher SEG rate provider — rates range from 7p to 20p+ depending on supplier and tariff. (5) Consider a time-of-use tariff (Octopus Agile, Intelligent) which makes the battery arbitrage even more valuable.
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