If you live in a 3-bedroom semi-detached house in Brighton with a south-facing roof, you're in a prime spot for solar panels. This page uses your typical UK household electricity bill of £1,200 per year to show exactly what a 5.4 kWp system could save you. We've tailored the numbers to your roof size, orientation, and location, so you can see the real-world benefits without any guesswork.
Your Solar Savings at a Glance
Based on your 30m² south-facing roof in Brighton and an annual electricity bill of £1,200, here’s what a typical solar panel system could deliver. The numbers come from standard UK solar performance models and current energy prices.
| Measure | Your Result |
|---|---|
| System size | 5.4 kWp |
| Annual generation | 5,670 kWh |
| Annual savings | £794 |
| Bill reduction | 46% |
| Install cost | £5,940 |
| Payback period | 7.5 years |
| CO₂ saved | 1.3 tonnes/yr |
| Export income | £238/yr |
How the Numbers Stack Up
A 5.4 kWp system on your 30m² roof could generate 5,670 kWh per year, saving you approximately £794 annually. The system would pay for itself in around 7.5 years. This assumes you use about half the solar power directly and export the rest through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Your export income of £238 per year adds a nice bonus.
Why Brighton Works Well
Brighton gets decent sunshine for the UK, and a south-facing roof captures the most daylight. Your 30m² roof is large enough for 15–18 panels, which is why a 5.4 kWp system fits. For more details on solar panel performance in your area, check out Energy Saving Trust’s solar advice.
Installation Costs and Payback
The estimated install cost of £5,940 includes panels, inverter, and fitting. With annual savings of £794, plus £238 export income, your total yearly benefit is £1,032. That gives a payback period of 7.5 years. After that, you’ll enjoy free electricity for the system’s 25-year lifespan. You may also qualify for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme if you combine solar with a heat pump.
Environmental Impact
Cutting 1.3 tonnes of CO₂ per year is like planting 60 trees annually. Solar panels help the UK reach net-zero emissions by 2050. For official energy-saving tips, visit Ofgem’s energy advice for households.
What About Your Bill?
Your £1,200 annual bill drops by 46% to around £406 after solar. That’s a huge relief for most families. The savings are based on current electricity rates of about 24p per kWh and a SEG rate of 5p per kWh.
Frequently Asked Questions
How these numbers were calculated
We calculated system size using your 30m² roof and south-facing orientation, applying a standard UK solar yield of 1,050 kWh per kWp for the south England region. Annual generation of 5,670 kWh comes from 5.4 kWp × 1,050. Savings assume 50% self-consumption at 24p/kWh and 50% export at 5p/kWh. Install cost uses a typical UK rate of £1,100 per kWp. Payback divides total cost by annual savings plus export income.
Sources
- Energy Saving Trust — Solar panels
- Ofgem — Smart Export Guarantee
- MCS Certified — Find an installer
