Is Solar PV Worth It in Northumberland? An Honest Guide

The Myth About Solar in the North East

One of the most common things we hear is: "Does solar actually work this far north?" The answer is yes — more than most people expect.

Northumberland receives on average 1,200–1,400 peak sun hours per year — not far behind the South East (around 1,600). Modern solar panels are designed to generate power even on overcast days, and because they respond to light (not heat), they work effectively in our climate.

How Much Could You Save?

A typical 4kWp system on a south-facing roof in Northumberland would generate approximately 3,200–3,800 kWh per year. With electricity prices currently around 24p/kWh, that's a potential saving of £770–£910 per year if you use most of the power yourself.

Savings depend on:

• Your roof's orientation and pitch
• How much electricity you use during daylight hours
• Whether you add battery storage

The Cost of Solar PV Installation

A typical domestic solar installation in Northumberland costs:

| System Size | Approx. Cost | Annual Generation | |---|---|---| | 3kWp (8 panels) | £5,000–£6,500 | 2,400–2,800 kWh | | 4kWp (10 panels) | £6,500–£8,000 | 3,200–3,800 kWh | | 6kWp (15 panels) | £8,500–£10,500 | 4,800–5,600 kWh |

Payback periods are typically 8–12 years for self-consumption-focused systems, after which the electricity is essentially free.

Battery Storage

Adding a battery (e.g. GivEnergy, SolarEdge, Tesla Powerwall) allows you to store excess daytime generation and use it in the evening. This significantly increases self-consumption and can push annual savings above £1,200 for a well-sized system.

Combining Solar with an EV Charger

If you own (or plan to own) an electric vehicle, the combination of solar + EV charger is particularly powerful. A Zappi charger can automatically divert surplus solar generation to charge your car — meaning you're effectively fuelling your vehicle for free on sunny days.

Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)

Since the Feed-in Tariff ended, the Smart Export Guarantee lets you sell excess electricity back to the grid. Rates vary by supplier but are typically 3–15p/kWh. It's not huge income, but it reduces wastage.

What to Do Next

We offer a free no-obligation survey to assess your roof's suitability and model your expected generation and savings. Contact us today to arrange a visit — we cover the whole of Northumberland and Tyne & Wear.