Guides
Solar panels and home batteries: a practical guide
How much solar fits your roof, what it earns through the Smart Export Guarantee and when a battery is worth it.
How much you can generate
A south-facing roof in England produces roughly 850 to 950 kWh a year for each kWp of panels; east-west roofs a little less. A typical 4 kWp system makes around 3,400 kWh a year.
Earning from export
With an MCS-certified installation you can sign up to a Smart Export Guarantee tariff and be paid for electricity you send to the grid.
Is a battery worth it?
A battery helps most if you are out during the day, have a heat pump or EV, or use a time-of-use tariff. Installation of panels and batteries is currently zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027.