Before and After Solar Panels: Real Energy Bills Compared (2022 vs 2025)
Thinking about installing solar panels but want to see real proof of savings? We've obtained actual energy bills from the same household—one from April 2022 before solar installation, and another from April 2025 after solar panels were installed. The side-by-side comparison reveals exactly how much solar panels can reduce your energy bills.
These are genuine Octopus Energy bills from a UK home, showing real meter readings, actual charges, and documented solar export earnings.
The Bottom Line: How Much Do Solar Panels Really Save?
Let's start with the most important question: what's the actual financial impact? Here's what the bills show:
| Metric | Before Solar (2022) | After Solar (2025) | | :---- | :---- | :---- | | Monthly Bill | £182.81 | £113.26 | | Solar Export Credit | £0.00 | +£23.99 | | Net Monthly Cost | £182.81 | £89.27 | | Monthly Savings | — | £93.54 | | Annual Savings | — | £1,122.48 |
That's a 51% reduction in energy costs, saving over £1,100 per year—and this household still has a £149.69 credit balance with their energy supplier.
Breaking Down the Numbers: What Changed After Solar Installation?
Let's examine exactly what happened to electricity and gas usage when solar panels were installed:
| Energy Type | Before Solar | After Solar | | :---- | :---- | :---- | | Electricity (daily) | 11.68 kWh/day | 4.60 kWh/day | | Electricity Reduction | — | ↓ 61% reduction | | Gas (daily) | 37.84 kWh/day | 44.32 kWh/day | | Solar Export | None | 159.9 kWh/month | | Electricity Cost | £104.77 | £51.93 | | Gas Cost | £78.04 | £85.32 |
The most dramatic change is in electricity consumption from the grid. The household now imports just 4.60 kWh per day—a 61% reduction from 11.68 kWh before solar. This means the solar panels are covering the majority of daytime electricity needs.
Even more impressive, the system generated 159.9 kWh of excess electricity in just one month, earning the homeowner £23.99 through Octopus Energy's export tariff at 15p per kWh.
Making Money from Solar: Understanding Export Payments
One of the most overlooked benefits of solar panels is the ability to earn money from excess generation. This household's April 2025 bill shows a perfect example:
- Energy exported: 159.9 kWh
- Export rate: 15p per kWh (Octopus Energy Smart Export Guarantee)
- Export earnings: £23.99
- Annual export estimate: £287.88 per year
This export income is a crucial part of the financial equation. The household isn't just reducing their electricity bill—they're actually generating income from their solar panels. Over 25 years, that's over £7,000 in export earnings alone.
The Complete Picture: Understanding Your Post-Solar Bill
After solar installation, energy bills look different. Here's how to understand the components:
What You Still Pay For
- Gas consumption: Solar panels generate electricity, not heat. Gas usage for heating and hot water continues as normal
- Night-time electricity: When solar isn't generating, you draw from the grid
- Standing charges: Fixed daily fees for being connected to gas and electricity networks
- Cloudy day top-ups: Even on overcast days, some grid electricity may be needed
What You Save On
- Daytime electricity: Solar panels cover most or all daytime usage
- Peak rate electricity: Using solar during expensive peak hours maximises savings
What You Earn
- Export payments: Excess solar electricity sold back to the grid at 15p/kWh
Why April Data Matters
April is an excellent month for evaluating solar panel performance because:
- Transitional weather - Mix of sunny and cloudy days represents typical UK conditions
- Moderate usage - Not peak heating season, so gas usage is moderate
- Growing daylight - Days are lengthening, boosting solar generation
- Comparable billing - Same month comparison eliminates seasonal variables
The fact that this household achieved 61% reduction in grid electricity in April—a transitional month—suggests summer savings will be even more dramatic.
The Credit Balance Story
One detail that catches many people's attention: the £149.69 credit balance on the after-solar bill. This credit represents money the household has overpaid relative to usage.
This credit builds up for several reasons:
- Direct debit remains fixed while bills decrease
- Export payments add credit each month
- Summer overgeneration creates surplus that carries forward
This credit provides a financial buffer for winter months when solar generation is lower but heating costs are higher.
What Would Your Savings Look Like?
While every home is different, this case study provides a useful benchmark. Based on these results, here's what you might expect:
Similar Results If You Have:
- Average 3-4 bedroom home
- South or south-east facing roof
- Typical electricity usage (3,500-4,500 kWh/year)
- Properly sized solar system (4-6 kW)
- Smart meter for export payments
Potentially Better Results If You Have:
- Higher electricity usage (EVs, heat pumps)
- Home during daytime (remote workers)
- Optimal roof angle (30-40 degrees)
- Battery storage to capture excess
Potentially Lower Results If You Have:
- North-facing roof sections only
- Heavy shading from trees or buildings
- Lower baseline electricity usage
- No smart meter for export payments
The Investment Perspective
Let's calculate the return on investment based on these real figures:
| Metric | Value | | :---- | :---- | | Annual savings | £1,122.48 | | Export earnings | £287.88/year | | Total annual benefit | £1,410.36 | | Typical system cost | £8,000 - £10,000 | | Payback period | 5.7 - 7.1 years | | 25-year total benefit | £35,259 |
With payback in under 7 years and 25-year benefits exceeding £35,000, solar panels represent a compelling investment for homeowners with suitable properties.
Key Takeaways
This real-world comparison demonstrates:
- 51% reduction in monthly energy costs
- 61% less electricity imported from the grid
- £1,122 saved annually on energy bills
- £287 earned annually from solar exports
- £149 credit balance maintained
- 5-7 year payback period
- £35,000+ 25-year financial benefit
The numbers don't lie. Solar panels deliver substantial, measurable savings that compound year after year. If you're considering solar, these before-and-after results show exactly what's possible.
Data source: Genuine Octopus Energy bills from the same UK household April 2022 (before solar) vs April 2025 (after solar installation)
