Energy Independence Meter
What percentage of your electricity comes from your own roof?
Energy independence meter
What percentage of your electricity comes from your own roof? Slide to explore.
Generated
3,600 kWh
Self-used
1,440 kWh
From grid
2,060 kWh
Grid cost
£505/yr
How this works
Energy independence is the percentage of your total electricity consumption that comes from your own solar system rather than the grid. It is calculated as self-consumed solar divided by total household demand.
A 4 kW system typically covers 40-50% of a household's electricity needs without a battery. Adding a 10 kWh battery can push that to 75-85%.
True 100% independence (off-grid) is practically impossible in the UK because winter generation is 80% lower than summer. The practical sweet spot is 80-90% — going higher becomes exponentially expensive.
Things to consider
- •Standing charges mean you will still pay the grid even if you achieve 95% independence.
- •Heat pumps triple your electricity usage — your independence percentage will drop dramatically unless you upsize both solar and battery.
- •EV charging can be scheduled to hit solar surplus during the day, improving your effective independence.
- •A generator or Tesla Powerwall 3 can provide backup during power cuts — most home batteries do not.
Dig deeper
Energy Independence: What Percentage Can Solar Achieve?
How much energy independence can UK solar panels and batteries realistically achieve? Self-sufficiency percentages by system size, with and without batteries.
Off-Grid Solar UK: Is It Actually Feasible?
Can you go completely off-grid with solar in the UK? Honest analysis of costs, battery requirements, winter challenges, and why hybrid is usually better.
Solar Battery Storage: Complete UK Guide 2026
Everything you need to know about adding battery storage to a UK solar installation — types, sizing, costs, and which products are worth considering in 2026.
How to Size a Solar Panel System for Your Home
How to work out what size solar panel system you need for your UK home. Factor in electricity usage, roof space, budget, and future plans for an optimal system.
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