Is Solar Worth It in Northamptonshire?
For most homes in Northamptonshire with a reasonable south, east or west-facing roof, yes. A typical 3-bed system saves and earns roughly £525 to £565 a year at today's prices, and pays for itself in around 12 to 15 years. Panels usually last 25 years or more. Here is how that adds up, and when solar is less worth it.
How much sun does Northamptonshire actually get?
More than people expect. The East Midlands generates roughly 880 to 950 kWh a year for every kilowatt of panels, for a south-facing roof without shading. That is a little better than much of central and northern England. A typical 3.5 kWp system on a 3-bed house should produce around 3,100 to 3,300 kWh a year, which is close to what an average home uses.
A worked example for a 3-bed home
Take that 3.5 kWp system producing about 3,200 kWh a year. Without a battery, a home that is out during the day typically uses around a third of its solar directly and exports the rest.
- Electricity you don't buy: about 1,100 kWh at the current price cap of 26.32p per kWh is roughly £290 a year.
- Electricity you export: about 2,100 kWh at 12p per kWh (Outgoing Octopus) is roughly £250 a year.
- Total: roughly £525 to £565 a year.
UK averages put a 3.5 kWp system at about £7,000 to £7,900 with 0% VAT (see our cost guide). Our typical 8-panel, 3.9 kWp system is about £5,500, which brings payback down to around 9 to 10 years, with a decade or more of savings after that.
What makes it worth more
- Being at home in the day. If you work from home or are retired, you use more of your own solar, which is worth 26p a unit rather than the 12p you get for exporting it.
- Adding a battery. A battery stores daytime solar for the evening. Using around 70% of your own generation, the same system is worth roughly £700 a year. See how much a battery can save on a cheap night tariff.
- A good export tariff. Export rates vary from a few pence to over 20p for some supplier-only and time-of-use tariffs. Picking the right one can add £100 or more a year.
- Installing before 31 March 2027. Solar on homes is currently 0% VAT. After that date it is due to rise to 5%.
When solar is less worth it
- A north-facing roof, or one shaded by trees or nearby buildings for much of the day.
- A roof that will need replacing in the next few years. It is cheaper to do the roof first.
- Very low electricity use, such as a small flat used mainly at weekends.
- If you plan to move within a couple of years and won't benefit from the savings yourself.
The honest answer for your home
Every roof is different. Orientation, pitch, shading and how you use electricity all change the numbers. We cover Northampton and the whole county, including Kettering, Wellingborough, Daventry, Corby, Towcester and Rushden. A free survey gives you real figures for your house, with no obligation.