Solar Panels vs Staying on the Grid
Compare installing rooftop solar versus buying all electricity from the grid. See payback years, self-consumption, and battery add-ons.
Open calculatorStay on grid only
No install cost; full exposure to rising electricity prices.
- Zero upfront
- No maintenance
- Simple
- Bills rise with tariffs
- No energy independence
- Missed incentive windows
Install solar (optional battery)
Upfront system cost for lower bills and partial self-generation.
- Lower long-term bills
- Hedge against price inflation
- Battery can raise self-use
- High upfront cost
- Roof/orientation limits
- Inverter replacements later
Solar payback depends on system cost after incentives, self-consumption, and tariff inflation. Run Solar Payback — then Solar vs Battery if you are adding storage.
Key factors
- Net system cost after incentives
- Self-consumption rate
- Electricity price and inflation
- Roof production estimate
How to decide
- 1Get production estimate
Use installer yield estimates for your roof.
- 2Use net cost
Subtract grants and tax credits from sticker price.
- 3Run solar payback
Model 20–25 years with realistic self-use.
- 4Test a battery
Only if export rates are low and self-use jumps enough.
Run the numbers
Free calculators linked to this comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a battery on day one?+
Not always. Batteries help most when export tariffs are poor and you can shift consumption. Model both.