Real Solar Panel Savings: What the Numbers Look Like in the Real World
With energy prices continuing to rise across the UK, more UK homeowners are asking the same question: are solar panels worth it? This real-world case study shows how a solar PV system with battery storage can deliver long-term energy savings — even when electricity bills and energy prices increase.
Below, we break down real solar panel savings, using actual electricity bills, energy usage data, and export payments from a typical UK home.
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
- 2020: 6,088 kWh | Export: 0
- 2021: 6,641 kWh | Export: 0
- 2022: 6,282 kWh | Export: 0
- 2023: 2,036 kWh | Export: 1,698 kWh (first full year with solar panels installed)
- 2024: 2,836 kWh | Export: 1,273 kWh
- 2025: 5,600 kWh | Export: 2,890 kWh (includes charging an electric car weekly)
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.
In Our Customer's Own Words
"...gives you a rough idea of the huge savings I am making since you fitted my panels and batteries in Dec '22.
You will see Octopus's estimated annual costs are 2021 = £1041 2025 = £880 (Note unit rate in '21 was half what was in '25)
It is not easy to make direct comparisons especially as I have since purchased an EV and home charger which has actually reduced my bills further as I am able to charge the car and batteries at night for 7p/kWh.
The financial savings are more impressive as we mostly live off the batteries every day instead of importing @ (currently) 27.75p/kWh"
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.
Exporting surplus electricity helps shorten the payback period and increases total lifetime savings from a solar investment.
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
How Much Electricity Do Solar Panels Generate?
How much solar power a system produces depends on:
- System size
- Number of panels
- Roof space and orientation
- Daylight hours
- Panel efficiency
For a typical UK home, solar panels could generate thousands of kWh per year. This electricity generated directly offsets grid electricity, reducing electricity bills and carbon footprint.
Costs, Payback Period and Long-Term Savings
Solar Panels Cost vs 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
More UK homeowners are choosing solar panels as a long-term solution to rising energy bills and environmental concerns.
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.
Thinking About Installing Solar Panels?
If you're wondering how much do solar panels save, how many panels you need, or what system size is right for your home, a tailored assessment is key.
A well-designed solar panel system with battery storage could save you money, reduce your reliance on the energy supplier, and put you in control of your own solar power.
Solar panels don't just generate electricity — they generate long-term security.
Ready to see what solar panels could save you? Contact CRG Direct for a free, no-obligation quote tailored to your home and energy usage.
