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 (4.5p/kWh from August 2012) ... OR ...
    My energy supplier has agreed to buy back at £ per kWh
  • % of the energy generated will be used in my home
  • I will have an export meter
  • 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
» Change our assumptions

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

Investment in 3.00kWp System: * £ 5,213.77
First Year: Income from Feed-In Generation Tariff @ 15.44p/kWh: £ 373.54
  Income from exporting energy @ 4.64p/kWh: £ 72.97
  Electricity Saving: £ 121.93
  Total Benefit: £ 568.44
Payback Time: 7y 8m
Total Profit Over 20 years: £ 13,975.66
13.40 % per year (6.52% AER)
* Current prices for this system may vary from £ 4,545.00 to £ 7,165.00 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 20yr Payback:

System Power Est Outlay Feed-In & Savings Pay back time Profit over 20yrs  
12 x Canadian Solar 250W Mono 3.00kWp £ 5,213.77 £ 568.44pa 7y 8m £ 13,975.66 detailed calc »
12 x Hyundai HIS 250MG 3.00kWp £ 5,686.07 £ 568.44pa 8y 5m £ 13,503.36 detailed calc »
12 x Kyocera KD245GH 2.94kWp £ 6,037.32 £ 557.07pa 8y 9m £ 12,768.33 detailed calc »

Earliest Investment Payback:

System Power Est Outlay Feed-In & Savings Pay back time Profit over 20yrs  
12 x Canadian Solar 250W Mono 3.00kWp £ 5,213.77 £ 568.44pa 7y 8m £ 13,975.66 detailed calc »
12 x Hyundai HIS 250MG 3.00kWp £ 5,686.07 £ 568.44pa 8y 5m £ 13,503.36 detailed calc »
10 x Sharp 245W Poly 2.45kWp £ 4,737.73 £ 464.23pa 8y 6m £ 10,933.64 detailed calc »

Greatest Annual Income:

System Power Est Outlay Feed-In & Savings Pay back time Profit over 20yrs  
14 x Sanyo HIT N240SE10 3.36kWp £ 7,905.48 £ 636.65pa 9y 9m £ 13,586.69 detailed calc »
14 x Sanyo HIT N235SE10 3.29kWp £ 7,804.12 £ 623.39pa 9y 10m £ 13,240.30 detailed calc »
12 x Yingli YL260-30b 3.12kWp £ 7,004.10 £ 591.18pa 9y 6m £ 12,952.91 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 D or better.
  • Yearly PV output uses a factored degradation over time based on industry estimates.
  • Tariffs shown presume installation after at the new 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 2012 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, having an export meter (you can change such assumptions above).
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