Are Solar Panels Worth It in the North East? Let the Data Speak
It is the question we hear more than any other: are solar panels actually worth it this far north? After all, the North East is not exactly known for its sunshine. The short answer is yes, emphatically. But rather than asking you to take our word for it, here is real generation data from our installations across Teesside, County Durham and North Yorkshire.
Real Generation Data from North East Installations
We have analysed data from over 100 of our residential installations across the region. Here are the average annual generation figures by system size:
- 4kW system: 3,400 - 3,800 kWh per year
- 6kW system: 5,100 - 5,700 kWh per year
- 8kW system: 6,800 - 7,600 kWh per year
These figures are from real systems installed on real roofs in locations including Yarm, Middlesbrough, Darlington, Stockton, Durham, Northallerton and Hartlepool. They account for real-world factors like roof orientation, pitch and occasional shading that theoretical calculators often ignore.
How Much Money Do Solar Panels Save?
The financial savings depend on three key factors: how much electricity you generate, how much you use yourself (self-consumption), and what you get paid for exporting the surplus. With current electricity prices at approximately 24-25p per kWh and SEG export rates of 4-15p per kWh, here is what a typical 4kW system saves:
- Without battery storage: Self-consumption of approximately 40-50%, saving £650-£850 per year.
- With battery storage: Self-consumption of approximately 75-85%, saving £900-£1,200 per year.
Add an electric vehicle charged predominantly from solar, and annual savings can exceed £1,500.
The Payback Calculation
A 4kW solar panel system in the North East costs approximately £5,000-£7,000 including 0% VAT. With annual savings of £750-£1,000 (without battery) or £1,000-£1,200 (with battery), the payback period works out at:
- Solar only: 6-8 years
- Solar plus battery: 7-9 years (higher upfront cost, but higher annual savings)
After the payback period, you have 17-20+ years of essentially free electricity ahead, based on the 25-year panel warranty. And with electricity prices only projected to increase over that timeframe, the real return is likely to be significantly better than these conservative estimates.
North East vs South of England
Yes, the South of England receives approximately 10-15% more solar irradiance than the North East. However, this does not make solar panels a bad investment up here. A 4kW system in Middlesbrough generates around 3,600 kWh per year compared to approximately 4,100 kWh in Southampton. That is a difference of just 500 kWh, worth roughly £125 at current electricity prices. Given that installation costs are often lower in the North East, the return on investment is remarkably similar.
Other Benefits Beyond Financial Savings
The financial case is strong, but many of our customers also value the energy independence that solar provides. With battery storage, you are largely insulated from future electricity price rises. You are reducing your carbon footprint by 1-2 tonnes of CO2 per year. And you are adding value to your property, with studies consistently showing that solar panels increase home values by 2-4%.
What Our Customers Say
The data speaks for itself, but hearing from homeowners living with solar in the North East reinforces the point. Across our Checkatrade reviews, customers consistently report that their solar systems are generating as much or more than we projected during the quote stage. Many are surprised by how much they generate even during the shoulder months of March, April, September and October when output is strong but electricity demand is still relatively high.
Customers who have added battery storage report the highest satisfaction levels. The ability to store daytime generation and use it in the evening, combined with cheap overnight tariff charging, means many households have reduced their electricity bills by 70-80% compared to pre-solar levels.
The Verdict
Based on the real data from our installations, solar panels in the North East deliver strong financial returns with payback periods of 6-9 years, followed by 16-20+ years of free generation. The numbers work. The climate difference between the North East and the south of England makes far less difference than most people assume, and the lower installation costs in this region help balance the equation further.
If you would like to see what the figures look like for your specific property, request a free, no-obligation quote and we will provide a detailed savings projection based on your roof, usage and preferences.