Costs & Savings
Costs & Savings
Slash your bills. Lock in long-term returns.
Take control of your energy bills with award-winning solar panel systems installed by Impact Services across Norfolk, Cambridge, Ipswich and the wider East Anglia region.
With solar panels, you can generate your own electricity, reduce your reliance on the grid and protect your home from rising energy costs.
- Voted Solar Panel Installer of the Year – 2024 & 2025.
- 10-Year Workmanship Guarantee.
- Hundreds of local installations and 650+ 5-star reviews.
Protection From Future Price Rises
Since 2021, energy prices have surged by around 72% – and the Ofgem price cap is rising again to £1,862 from July 2026.
With global events such as the Ukraine energy crisis and instability in the Middle East continuing to put pressure on wholesale markets, UK households remain exposed to unpredictable price rises.
Solar panels help shield you from rising costs by generating your own electricity and reducing reliance on the grid.
Investing in solar isn’t just about sustainability – it’s a long-term safeguard against volatile energy prices.
Typical Solar Panel Costs, Savings & Payback
The cost of your solar panel installation will depend on the size of your system, the number of panels required and whether you choose to add battery storage.
The table below shows example costs, estimated annual savings, Smart Export Guarantee payments and payback periods for popular system sizes.
| System Size | 4.5kW | + Battery | 7.5kW | + Battery | 9.5kW | + Battery | 12kW | + Battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Panels | 10 | 10 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 25 | 25 |
| Cost | £5,522 | £7,833 | £6,872 | £9,023 | £7,531 | £9,598 | £11,531 | £13,563 |
| Annual Electricity Savings | £559 | £819 | £940 | £1,339 | £1,197 | £1,738 | £1,502 | £2,073 |
| Annual Battery Savings | n/a | £185 | n/a | £266 | n/a | £298 | n/a | £311 |
| Annual SEG Payments | £320 | £271 | £487 | £403 | £597 | £441 | £739 | £583 |
| Total Annual Savings | £879 | £1,275 | £1,427 | £2,008 | £1,794 | £2,477 | £2,241 | £2,967 |
| Payback | 6.3 years | 6.1 years | 4.8 years | 4.5 years | 4.2 years | 3.8 years | 5.2 years | 4.6 years |
| 25-Year Return | £21,975 | £31,875 | £35,675 | £50,200 | £44,850 | £61,925 | £56,025 | £74,175 |
| Total Annual Return | 15.9% | 16.3% | 20.8% | 22.3% | 23.8% | 25.8% | 19.4% | 21.9% |
What Affects the Cost of Solar Panels?
1. System Size
Larger systems cost more upfront but can generate more electricity, helping you make greater long-term savings.
2. Battery Storage
Adding a battery increases the initial cost, but it allows you to store unused electricity and use more of the energy your panels generate.
3. Roof Space and Shading
The number of panels you can install will depend on your available roof space, roof direction and any shading from trees or nearby buildings.
4. Ongoing Maintenance
Solar panels require very little maintenance. We recommend an annual service to remove dust, debris and bird droppings, helping your system run efficiently year after year.
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
With the Smart Export Guarantee, your energy supplier pays you for any excess electricity your solar panels export back to the grid.
A typical home with a 4–5kW solar system can earn around £150–£250 per year from SEG payments, depending on how much electricity you export and the tariff you choose. Homes that export more, or use smart tariffs, may earn more.
Typical SEG rates (2026):
Standard export tariffs usually pay around 10–20p/kWh. Fixed export tariffs from suppliers such as Octopus Energy, EDF Energy and E.ON typically offer around 12–16p/kWh.
Smart time-of-use tariffs can reach up to 25–30p/kWh at peak times.
To qualify, you’ll need an MCS-certified solar installation and a smart meter capable of half-hourly readings.
As part of our service, we’ll check your eligibility, estimate your potential earnings and handle the paperwork from start to finish.
Is Battery Storage Worth It?
Adding a battery can help you make better use of the electricity your solar panels generate. Battery storage allows you to:
- Use stored energy after dark.
- Reduce reliance on the grid.
- Increase self-consumption.
- Store excess power instead of exporting it.
- Protect yourself further from rising energy costs.
Customers with battery storage typically double their self-use and reduce grid reliance by up to 80%.
Ready to Take Control of Your Energy?
Whether you want to reduce your bills, increase your independence, or power your home with 100% renewable energy, we’re here to help.
With award-winning expertise, zero-deposit installations, and five-star aftercare, Impact Services is Norfolk’s trusted choice for solar and battery storage.
Complete our contact form to arrange your free home survey and no-obligation quote.
*Price Assumptions
The figures shown are based on:
- South-facing roof, 35° pitch, no shading
- Includes scaffolding
- Smart Export Guarantee rate of 15p/kWh
- Electricity savings of 35p/kWh
- 70% consumption, 30% export
- 3% inflation (ONS CPI average)
- Dedicated scaffolding (if required): +£300–£400