Real Solar Panel Savings: What the Numbers Look Like in the Real World

A Real Comparison: Before and After Solar Panels Installed

To understand the true financial benefits of solar energy, it's important to look at long-term data rather than short-term estimates.

This household compared electricity bills from:

• June 2021 (before solar panels)
• June 2025 (after solar panels and battery installed in December 2022)

Despite unit energy prices being around double in 2025 compared to 2021, the estimated annual electricity costs were lower in 2025.

• 2021 estimated annual electricity cost: £1,041
• 2025 estimated annual electricity cost: £880

This clearly shows how solar panels save money, even as energy bills continue to rise.

Energy Usage and Solar Generation Over Time

The homeowner has tracked electricity usage and energy generated for several years, giving an excellent picture of how solar panels work in practice.

Electricity Usage and Export Data

|---|---|---|---|

Year	Grid Import (kWh)	Export (kWh)	Notes
2020	6,088	0	Pre-solar
2021	6,641	0	Pre-solar
2022	6,282	0	Pre-solar
2023	2,036	1,698	First full year with solar
2024	2,836	1,273
2025	5,600	2,890	Includes EV charging

Even with more energy usage due to an electric car and home charging, grid electricity imports remain significantly lower thanks to solar generation and battery storage systems.

Living on Your Own Solar Power

One of the biggest advantages of a solar panel system with a solar battery is the ability to use your own solar power instead of buying expensive grid electricity.

This household:

• Uses excess solar electricity during daylight hours
• Stores excess solar energy in battery storage
• Runs mostly on stored solar power in the evenings
• Charges batteries and an electric car overnight on a smart tariff at 7p/kWh

As a result, they avoid importing electricity at peak rates (currently around 27.75p/kWh).

Exporting Surplus Electricity Back to the Grid

When solar panels generate electricity that isn't used in the home, it becomes surplus electricity.

Through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), this excess energy is exported back to the grid for export payments.

In 2025 alone, the home exported 2,890 kWh of surplus solar electricity, creating additional financial benefits on top of reduced electricity costs.

Solar Panels, Batteries and Electric Cars

Adding an electric car often increases electricity usage, but with a correctly sized solar system and battery capacity, it can actually save money.

This household charges their electric car once per week and tops up batteries nightly using low-cost energy. Combined with solar electricity during the day, the result is lower energy bills despite higher total electricity usage.

Solar panels and battery systems pair especially well with:

• Electric cars
• Heat pumps
• Smart tariffs

Costs, Payback Period and Long-Term Savings

While the upfront cost and installation costs of a solar panel installation can feel significant, the long-term energy savings often outweigh the initial costs.

Key factors that influence the payback period include:

• Energy prices
• System size
• Battery storage
• Export payments
• Energy usage patterns

Typical payback periods for solar PV systems in the UK range from 6–10 years, with total lifetime savings often reaching tens of thousands of pounds.

As energy prices rise, savings rise too.

Environmental Benefits: Clean, Renewable Energy

Beyond financial benefits, solar energy offers:

• Lower carbon footprint
• Clean energy production
• Reduced reliance on fossil fuels
• Support for renewable energy adoption

Are Solar Panels Worth It?

Based on real electricity bills, real energy production data, and years of tracked usage, this case study clearly shows:

• Solar panels save money
• Battery storage maximises savings
• Exporting surplus energy boosts total savings
• Solar investment delivers long-term energy savings

For a typical household, installing solar panels can significantly reduce energy bills, protect against future energy price increases, and provide reliable, clean electricity for decades.