Solar PV (Photovoltaic) Feed-In Tariff Calculator

About these figures

  • Our calculations are unbiased representations of potential payback from Solar PV. To firm up these figures you should arrange a quote from an MCS certified company, this is a requirement of the Feed-in Tariff.
  • For free, we can contact up to 3 certified companies on your behalf to arrange a quote.

Please tell us about your roof:

x of space available for panels.
Our Assumptions:
  • My daytime electricity rate: £ per kWh (inc VAT)
  • Use Standard Export Tariff (currently 3.1p/kWh) ... OR ...
    My energy supplier has agreed to buy back at £ per kWh
  • % of the energy generated will be used in my home
  • I want to assess the benefits over a year period
  • Assume RPI of % and annual energy price inflation of %
  • The roof angle is ° (or panel mounting angle if standalone)
  • Assume panel degradation to % of year 1 output after 30 years
  • Assume inverter lifetime of years
  • Assume cable/inverter system losses of % of output
  • My installation will be commissioned before 3 March 2012 using the rates the government seeks to appeal
» Change our assumptions

Based on the details above we estimate your annual income and overall investment payback to be as follows:

Investment in 2.59kWp System: * £ 7,952.13
First Year: Income from Feed-In Generation Tariff @ 21.00p/kWh: £ 438.62
  Income from exporting energy @ 3.10p/kWh: £ 42.09
  Electricity Saving: £ 105.27
  Total Benefit: £ 585.98
Payback Time: 10y 8m
Total Profit Over 25 years: £ 19,884.54
10.00 % per year (5.01% AER)
* Current prices for this system may vary from £ 5,415.00 to £ 10,700.00 for this type of installation so it is important to Compare Quotes from MCS certified installers
More information about the Feed-In Tariff
Calculations include solar radiation and system losses in a central UK location due to Temperature 6.6% and Angular Reflectance 3.1%, as well as other losses (e.g. Cables, Inverter) of 18%. You can change the Inverter/Cable loss and other assumptions if you wish.

These are the details we used to calculate your payback and some alternative scenarios:

Greatest 25yr Payback:

System Power Est Outlay Feed-In & Savings Pay back time Profit over 25yrs  
14 x Mitsubishi PV-TD185MF5 2.59kWp £ 7,952.13 £ 585.98pa 10y 8m £ 19,884.54 detailed calc »
14 x Suntech STP190S-24/Ad+ 2.66kWp £ 8,594.52 £ 601.81pa 11y 3m £ 19,994.49 detailed calc »
14 x Centrosolar Poly-AT-195Wp 2.73kWp £ 9,016.37 £ 617.65pa 11y 5m £ 20,324.98 detailed calc »

Earliest Investment Payback:

System Power Est Outlay Feed-In & Savings Pay back time Profit over 25yrs  
14 x Mitsubishi PV-TD185MF5 2.59kWp £ 7,952.13 £ 585.98pa 10y 8m £ 19,884.54 detailed calc »
14 x Suntech STP190S-24/Ad+ 2.66kWp £ 8,594.52 £ 601.81pa 11y 3m £ 19,994.49 detailed calc »
10 x Moser Baer PhotoVoltaic MBPV CAAP BB 235W 2.35kWp £ 7,667.05 £ 531.68pa 11y 4m £ 17,590.15 detailed calc »

Greatest Annual Income:

System Power Est Outlay Feed-In & Savings Pay back time Profit over 25yrs  
14 x Sanyo HIT N235SE10 3.29kWp £ 14,458.36 £ 744.35pa 14y 1m £ 20,901.72 detailed calc »
14 x Sanyo HIT N230SE10 3.22kWp £ 14,215.67 £ 728.51pa 14y 2m £ 20,392.08 detailed calc »
14 x Sanyo HIP-215NKHE5 3.01kWp £ 11,808.20 £ 681.00pa 12y 10m £ 20,542.52 detailed calc »
These estimates are calculated by comparing over 50 MCS certified panels to determine the best possible payback. Assuming that you pay 14.4p per unit and that around 35% of the solar electricity that you generate will be used in your home.

Assumptions:

  • Illustrative solar PV performance figures only. Figures are given in good faith but do not constitute "Financial Advice".
  • Exact PV subsidy figures may depend on grants available at particular locations and other factors.
  • Your property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of level C or above.
  • Yearly PV output uses a factored degradation over time based on industry estimates.
  • Tariffs shown presume installation after 3 March 2012 at the new proposed FiT rates
  • VAT is included (at 5% where appropriate) unless a new build is specified.
  • Photovoltaic Panels will not be shaded (e.g. by Trees or Buildings) as shading affects PV output.
  • Exact equipment costs are estimated based on retail prices in 2011 and will vary by installer/supplier.
  • Installation costs are based on industry averages for installation type/size. Every install is different and you should obtain 3 quotes.
  • Assuming that you pay 14.4p per unit and that around 35% of the solar electricity that you generate will be used in your home (you can change such assumptions above).
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