Case Study · Residential Solar + Battery
Solar Panel Installation in Brighton & Hove — 11.4kW with Tesla Powerwall 3
11.4 kWpSystem Size
11.04 kWInverter
27 kWhBattery
9,272 kWhAnnual Output
103%Energy Offset
5Y 7MPayback
The Challenge: Solar Panels on a Multi-Aspect Roof in Brighton
When the homeowner at Chartfield, Brighton & Hove approached Sol4r Energy about installing solar panels, the property presented a design challenge: a roof spanning two separate orientations — south-west and west — with 9.5% shading losses to account for. A standard single-array solar panel installation in Brighton would have left significant generation potential on the table.
The client's objectives were ambitious: achieve full energy independence, eliminate electricity bills where possible, future-proof with Tesla Powerwall battery storage, take advantage of smart tariff arbitrage on Octopus Intelligent, and earn export income through the Smart Export Guarantee — all with an MCS-certified solar installer they could trust.
Before & After: The Transformation
❌ Before Sol4r Energy
- 100% reliant on the grid
- ~£211/month electricity bills
- No battery backup or storage
- No way to earn from surplus generation
- High carbon footprint from energy use
- Fully exposed to rising energy prices
✅ After Sol4r Energy
- 103% energy offset — produces more than it consumes
- Bills go negative in summer — being paid by the grid
- 27 kWh Tesla Powerwall 3 dual-battery storage
- £821/year export income at 15p/kWh via SEG
- 2 tonnes of CO₂ saved every year
- Protected against rising tariffs with 7p overnight charging
Solar Panel Installation Photos – Brighton & Hove, East Sussex
Tesla Powerwall 3 Inverter (11.04 kW)
Tesla Powerwall 3 Battery (×2 = 27 kWh)
EV Charger Installation
Bird Protection Mesh
24 × AIKO 475W solar panels across two roof orientations, dual Tesla Powerwall 3 batteries (27 kWh), and full perimeter bird protection — all installed by Sol4r Energy's in-house team in Brighton & Hove, East Sussex.
Project Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Chartfield, Brighton & Hove, BN3 — East Sussex |
| Property type | Detached residential property |
| Installation date | 2026 |
| Roof type | Multi-aspect — 2 orientations (SW & W) |
| Annual consumption | 9,000 kWh |
| Tariff recommendation | Octopus Intelligent — day £0.31/kWh, night £0.07/kWh (11pm–5am) |
| Export tariff (SEG) | Smart Export Guarantee — £0.15/kWh |
| MCS certified | Yes — all systems registered, certificates issued on completion |
Survey, Design & Panel Layout
Sol4r Energy's in-home property survey team assessed the property and modelled the exact output from each roof face using MCS-approved performance calculations — accounting for orientation, tilt, and the 9.5% shading factor. The dual-array design ensures maximum generation across the full day.
| Panel Group | Panels | Azimuth | Tilt | kWh/kWp (Kk) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 — South-west roof | 8 panels | 211° (30° from South) | 26° | 1,083 |
| Group 2 — West-facing roof | 16 panels | 299° (120° from South) | 23° | 807 |
By distributing 24 panels across two orientations rather than concentrating on a single face, the system generates power across a much longer daily window — from midday through late afternoon — maximising self-consumption and ensuring surplus is available for battery charging and grid export.
Technical Specifications — Solar Panels & Battery Storage Brighton
Every component in this solar panel installation in Brighton & Hove was selected for premium performance, longevity, and seamless smart tariff integration. Sol4r Energy only uses top-tier solar panels and battery storage systems with comprehensive manufacturer warranties:
| Component | Product | Specification |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Panels | 24 × AIKO 475W | AIKO-A475-MCE54Mb all-black modules · 11.4 kWp total · 30yr product & performance warranty |
| Hybrid Inverter | Tesla Powerwall 3.0 | 11.04 kW with 3 MPPTs — manages both arrays independently · 10yr warranty |
| Battery Storage | 1 × Tesla Powerwall 3 & 1 × Tesla Powerwall 3 Expansion Pack | 27 kWh total usable storage · smart charge/discharge · Octopus Intelligent integration · 10yr warranty |
| Bird Protection | Full perimeter mesh | Installed across all roof sections to prevent nesting & protect performance |
Energy Performance & Self-Sufficiency
| Performance Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Total installed capacity | 11.4 kWp |
| Annual solar generation | 9,272 kWh |
| Annual household consumption | 9,000 kWh |
| Annual consumption offset | 103% — system produces more electricity than the home uses |
| Self-sufficiency — solar only | 34.08% |
| Self-sufficiency — solar + battery | 42% |
| Annual electricity exported | 5,479 kWh — earning £821/year at 15p/kWh SEG |
| System shade factor | 0.905 — 9.5% shading losses accounted for in design |
The system generates 3% more electricity than the home consumes annually, making this household a net energy exporter. Combined with the 27 kWh dual Tesla Powerwall 3 battery bank, the homeowner achieves 42% grid self-sufficiency. Surplus generation is exported to the grid via the Smart Export Guarantee at £0.15/kWh, while overnight battery charging on Octopus Intelligent costs just £0.07/kWh — making the tariff arbitrage economics exceptionally strong. If you're considering solar panels in Brighton or anywhere across East Sussex, these results demonstrate what's achievable with the right system design.
Monthly Savings Breakdown — Year 1
From April through September, this Brighton solar system generates enough electricity that the household bill goes negative — the client is being paid by the grid, not the other way around:
| Month | Solar Gen | Exported | Export Income | Old Bill | New Bill | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 128 kWh | 0 kWh | £0 | £248 | £81 | £168 |
| February | 251 kWh | 0 kWh | £0 | £243 | £67 | £176 |
| March | 594 kWh | 155 kWh | £23 | £242 | £30 | £212 |
| April | 1,064 kWh | 653 kWh | £98 | £209 | −£55 | £264 ✦ |
| May | 1,373 kWh | 977 kWh | £147 | £189 | −£109 | £298 ✦ |
| June | 1,467 kWh | 1,088 kWh | £163 | £180 | −£127 | £308 ✦ |
| July | 1,463 kWh | 1,095 kWh | £164 | £175 | −£129 | £304 ✦ |
| August | 1,230 kWh | 875 kWh | £131 | £172 | −£95 | £268 ✦ |
| September | 854 kWh | 502 kWh | £75 | £187 | −£35 | £222 ✦ |
| October | 483 kWh | 134 kWh | £20 | £206 | £28 | £178 |
| November | 236 kWh | 0 kWh | £0 | £232 | £64 | £168 |
| December | 130 kWh | 0 kWh | £0 | £248 | £79 | £169 |
| ANNUAL TOTAL | 9,272 kWh | 5,479 kWh | £821 | £2,533 | −£201 | £2,734 saved |
✦ Negative bill = earning from Smart Export Guarantee at £0.15/kWh. Projections assume Octopus Intelligent tariff (31p day / 7p night) and 7% annual energy price increase.
Financial Returns
£2,734Year 1 Bill Savings
5Y 7MPayback Period
£104,395Lifetime Bill Savings
£87,295Net 25-Year Savings
510%Total ROI
19.9%Annual Rate of Return
With energy prices projected to rise by 7% annually, this solar panel system in Brighton & Hove pays for itself in under six years and delivers exceptional long-term energy security. The £821/year export income via the Smart Export Guarantee is additional value often excluded from standard ROI calculations — bringing the true year-one benefit closer to £3,555 and the effective payback under 5 years. Very few home improvements offer a comparable financial return. To find out what solar panels could save you, book a free property survey with Sol4r Energy.
Battery Benefits: Why the Powerwalls Make All the Difference
Why the batteries make all the difference
The twin Tesla Powerwall 3 units don't just store solar energy — they unlock an entirely different economics model that standard solar-only systems can't achieve.
Cheap Night Charging
On Octopus Intelligent, the batteries charge overnight at just 7p/kWh — 77% cheaper than the 31p daytime rate. Even on cloudy winter days, the home runs on ultra-cheap stored energy.
Export at 15p/kWh
Surplus solar generation is exported to the grid at 15p/kWh under the Smart Export Guarantee. Over 5,400 kWh exported in year one — that's £821 of income beyond bill savings.
Tariff Arbitrage
Buy electricity at 7p overnight, use it during the 31p daytime window, and export surplus at 15p. The batteries effectively trade energy for you — a 24p/kWh margin on every stored unit.
42% Self-Sufficiency
Without batteries, only 34% of solar generation would be self-consumed. The 27 kWh battery bank boosts this to 42%, and with smart tariff management grid dependence drops dramatically.
24/7 Power Independence
During summer months, the system is a net exporter. In winter, cheap overnight battery charging bridges the gap at minimal cost — true year-round energy independence.
Rising Tariff Protection
With energy costs rising 7% annually, stored solar and smart tariff management lock in low rates today. By 2035, annual savings are forecast to exceed £4,296 per year.
Environmental Impact
2 tonnesCO₂ saved per year
453 treesEquivalent over lifetime
70,522 kmCar distance avoided
50 flightsLong-haul avoided
The AIKO 475W panels used in this Brighton solar installation deliver class-leading efficiency with all-black aesthetics. Combined with the zero-emission Tesla Powerwall 3 battery system, this home's carbon footprint from electricity has been virtually eliminated — the equivalent of planting 453 trees over the system's lifetime. Sol4r Energy installs solar panels across Brighton, Hove, East Sussex, West Sussex and the wider South East — helping homeowners cut emissions while dramatically reducing energy costs.
Why This Brighton Homeowner Chose Sol4r Energy
🏆 MCS-Certified, Award-Winning
UK Enterprise Award winner and MCS-certified (registration NAP-68781) — the certification needed to access the Smart Export Guarantee and all manufacturer warranties.
🔬 Engineered Dual-Array Design
We modelled both roof orientations with MCS-approved performance calculations before a single panel was ordered — ensuring this Brighton system was optimised for maximum annual yield across SW and W aspects.
📋 Fully Managed End-to-End
From free survey to DNO application, scaffolding, MCS commissioning certificate, SEG tariff setup, and aftercare — Sol4r Energy's in-house team handles everything.
Certifications & Warranties Included
MCS Commissioning Certificate (NAP-68781)
30-Year AIKO Panel Product Warranty
HIES Consumer Protection Warranty
30-Year Panel Performance Warranty
NAPIT Building Regulation Certificate
10-Year Tesla Inverter Warranty
Electrical Safety Certificate (EICR)
10-Year Tesla Battery Warranty
2-Year Workmanship Warranty
2-Year System Maintenance Included
All certifications are issued on completion. Sol4r Energy is HIES-registered, NAPIT-approved, and TrustMark-endorsed — meaning you're protected under the UK's highest consumer protection frameworks for solar installations.
Solar Panel Installation Services — Brighton, Sussex & South-East England
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