For many UK households, combining solar PV with a home battery is the fastest way to cut electricity bills and gain resilience. Here's a clear, numbers-based example to show how the savings stack up—plus what to consider before you buy.

A Realistic Example (With Transparent Assumptions)

Let's take a typical 3-bed home:

Energy Consumption

  • Annual use: 3,100 kWh
  • Daytime/evening tariff: assume £0.30/kWh (illustrative)

Solar System

  • System size: 4.0 kWp (south-ish roof)
  • Expected yield: ~3,600–4,000 kWh/yr

Battery Storage

  • Battery capacity: 5–10 kWh usable
  • Modeled capacity: 7 kWh

Efficiency Gains

  • Without battery: 35–45% self-consumption
  • With battery: 70–85% self-consumption

The Maths (Rounded, Illustrative)

  • Solar generation (midpoint): 3,800 kWh/yr
  • Self-used with battery (say 75%): 2,850 kWh used in the home
    → Bill saving: 2,850 kWh × £0.30 = £855
  • Exported (remaining 25%): 950 kWh
    → Export income: 950 kWh × £0.08 = £76
  • Total annual benefit: ~£931

Where does £1,200/yr come from? Many households pay more than £0.30/kWh at peak or don't use load-shifting today; others have higher usage (e.g., EV charging or home working). If your effective avoided cost is ~£0.35/kWh and/or your usage is closer to 3,800–4,500 kWh/yr, total annual benefit (bill savings + export) can land around £1,100–1,300.

Important Note

Your actual savings depend on roof orientation/shading, tariff, battery size, habits (daytime loads, EV charging), and export rate. That's why a feasibility study is essential.

Five Ways to Maximise Savings

Right-size the system

Oversizing panels or battery can lengthen payback. Match PV to roof and usage; match battery to evening/night consumption.

Time-shift big loads

Run washing/dishwasher during sunny periods; use smart plugs/timers.

EV charging strategy

If you have an EV, align charging with solar and/or cheap overnight tariffs.

Pick the right SEG

Export rates vary widely; review annually.

Use the app

Monitor generation, storage, and loads to tune behaviour.

Typical Payback Period

With current prices, many UK homes see 6–10 years payback for PV + battery, faster if:

  • You have high daytime/evening rates,
  • You consume more electricity (e.g., heat pump, EV),
  • You optimise usage and export.

5-7 years

Typical payback period for well-optimized systems

Beyond Financial Savings

Solar + battery systems offer more than just bill savings:

  • Energy independence and security - Reduce reliance on the grid
  • Reduced carbon footprint - Lower your environmental impact
  • Backup power during outages - Keep essential appliances running
  • Increased property value - Renewable installations add value to your home
  • Future-proofing for EV adoption - Prepare for electric vehicle charging

Next Step with EcoVerve

We'll run a no-obligation feasibility study: roof and shading analysis, yield forecast, battery sizing, and a savings/payback model tailored to your address and tariff.

Request Your Free Feasibility Study Today