How much does plug-in solar save?
A two-panel kit in a sunny garden spot saves about £129 a year in the middle of England, at today's price cap of 26.32p/kWh. The government's own headline figure is up to £110 a year.
By city
| Area | kWh a year | Saving | Payback* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truro | 990 kWh | £136 | 3.3 yrs |
| Southampton | 951 kWh | £134 | 3.4 yrs |
| South West London | 921 kWh | £132 | 3.4 yrs |
| Bristol | 934 kWh | £133 | 3.4 yrs |
| Birmingham | 871 kWh | £129 | 3.5 yrs |
| Manchester | 804 kWh | £123 | 3.7 yrs |
| Leeds | 853 kWh | £127 | 3.6 yrs |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 854 kWh | £127 | 3.6 yrs |
| Sunderland | 824 kWh | £123 | 3.7 yrs |
| Cardiff | 939 kWh | £133 | 3.4 yrs |
| Edinburgh | 817 kWh | £123 | 3.7 yrs |
| Glasgow | 766 kWh | £119 | 3.8 yrs |
| Aberdeen | 799 kWh | £121 | 3.8 yrs |
| Belfast | 837 kWh | £125 | 3.6 yrs |
*DMEGC 950W Hoymiles HiFlow kit at £456. South-facing garden frame, someone home part of the day.
Why two homes with the same kit save different amounts
- Daytime use – out all day: ~£88; home all day: ~£161.
- Placement – a south balcony makes 85% of an ideal garden frame; an east wall 51%.
- Shade – even a little shade over midday cuts output sharply.
- Your tariff – a higher unit rate means bigger savings.
Put your own postcode and spot into the savings calculator.
Quick answers
How much does a plug-in solar panel save per year?
About £129 a year for a two-panel, 800W kit in a sunny spot in the middle of England at 26.32p/kWh. A single-panel kit saves roughly half to two-thirds of that.
How many kWh does an 800W plug-in solar kit make?
Around 871 kWh a year facing south in a garden in the Midlands – more in the south-west, less in Scotland. On a wall or balcony expect 50–75% of that.
Compare 22 kits from £336, with savings for your postcode.
Compare all kit pricesUpdated 2026-11-14.