What solar and battery cost in Broadstairs
Worked examples for an ordinary house, from a narrow terrace roof to a large battery. Prices, yearly savings and honest payback, in plain numbers.
The honest summary. Solar on its own is the best value for most houses with a roof of their own. A battery adds comfort, evening power and backup, but it pays back slowly unless you use a lot of power in the evening or can charge it cheaply overnight. We will tell you if a battery is not worth it for your home.
Every example, ledger style
Small solar, terrace roof
3 kWp (about 7 panels)
Solar only, family house
4 kWp (about 10 panels)
Solar and small battery
4.5 kWp + 5 kWh battery
Solar and large battery
4.5 kWp + 10 kWh battery
Battery added to existing solar
5 kWh battery, existing 4 kWp solar
Large battery added to existing solar
10 kWh battery, existing 4 kWp solar
Battery added to solar, cheap overnight rate
5 kWh battery, existing 4 kWp solar
Battery only, cheap overnight rate
5 kWh battery, no solar
Large battery only, cheap overnight rate
10 kWh battery, no solar
For flats and rented homes
One approved kit, up to 800W, no roof needed. See plug-in solar
The same numbers side by side
| System | Installed price (0% VAT) | Saving and export income a year | Rough payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small solar, terrace roof3 kWp (about 7 panels) | £4,750 to £6,250 | £370 to £550middle estimate £460 | 10 to 14 years |
| Solar only, family house4 kWp (about 10 panels) | £5,500 to £7,500 | £490 to £730middle estimate £610 | 9 to 12 years |
| Solar and small battery4.5 kWp + 5 kWh battery | £8,500 to £12,500 | £640 to £960middle estimate £800 | 11 to 16 years |
| Solar and large battery4.5 kWp + 10 kWh battery | £10,500 to £16,250 | £730 to £1,090middle estimate £910 | 12 to 18 years |
| Battery added to existing solar5 kWh battery, existing 4 kWp solar | £2,750 to £4,750 | £90 to £130middle estimate £110 | 25 to 43 years |
| Large battery added to existing solar10 kWh battery, existing 4 kWp solar | £5,000 to £8,750 | £180 to £270middle estimate £220 | 23 to 40 years |
| Battery added to solar, cheap overnight rate5 kWh battery, existing 4 kWp solar | £2,750 to £4,750 | £180 to £280middle estimate £230 | 12 to 21 years |
| Battery only, cheap overnight rate5 kWh battery, no solar | £2,750 to £4,750 | £180 to £270middle estimate £230 | 12 to 21 years |
| Large battery only, cheap overnight rate10 kWh battery, no solar | £5,000 to £8,750 | £230 to £350middle estimate £290 | 17 to 30 years |
Estimates, not quotes. Prices sit between the Energy Saving Trust typical cost (about £7,600 for a 4.5 kWp system, and about £4,600 for a 5 kWh battery) and our own range. Savings use a home that uses 3,000 kWh a year, electricity at 26.32p per kWh (Ofgem price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026), 12p per kWh paid for exported power (a typical rate; see what suppliers pay) and, where shown, a 10p cheap overnight rate. Your roof, your use and your tariff change the result. See all sources and dates.
How we worked these out
- Prices: Energy Saving Trust typical costs (about £7,600 for a 4.5 kWp system, about £4,600 for a 5 kWh battery, and £1,500 to £10,000 across battery sizes) and our own ranges around them. Prices assume 0% VAT.
- Savings: a home using 3,000 kWh a year, electricity at 26.32p per kWh (Ofgem, 1 October to 31 December 2026), exports paid at 12p per kWh, and a 10p example cheap rate where shown.
- Solar output: about 900 kWh a year for each kWp on a good roof, and 35% used in the home as it is made. These are our modelling assumptions. Your design from an MCS installer sets the real figure.
- Payback: the installed price range divided by the middle yearly saving. Prices of power change, so treat it as a guide.
Terms in plain English
- kWp
- Kilowatt peak. The most power your panels can make in perfect sun. 4 kWp is about 10 panels.
- kWh
- A kilowatt hour. The unit on your bill. A 5 kWh battery holds 5 units.
- SEG
- Smart Export Guarantee. Energy suppliers pay you for power you send to the grid. Many need an MCS-certified install.
- MCS
- Microgeneration Certification Scheme. A quality mark for the install. Many suppliers need it before they pay export rates.
- DNO
- Distribution network operator. The company that runs the local power lines. For Kent it is South Eastern Power Networks, part of UK Power Networks.
- G98 and G99
- The network rules for connecting a home system. Small systems are told to the DNO after fitting (G98). Larger ones need approval first (G99).
- Time-of-use tariff
- A tariff with cheap and dear times of day. A battery can charge when it is cheap.
Cost questions
Do these prices include VAT?
They assume 0% VAT, which applies to installed solar and batteries until 31 March 2027. From 1 April 2027 the rate is 5% unless it changes, so add about 5%.
Why is a battery payback so long?
A battery stores power that solar would otherwise sell back at about 12p per kWh. It saves the difference between that and what you pay, about 26p. Batteries last about 10 to 12 years, says the Energy Saving Trust. Many people buy one for flexibility and backup, not only savings.
What makes a battery pay back faster?
More power used in the evening, an electric car, a heat pump, a cheap overnight tariff with a smart meter, and a battery that is the right size, not too big.
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