It is a question we hear a lot: is solar actually worth it here? Devon is not the Costa del Sol, and it is fair to wonder whether a South West climate justifies the investment. The answer, for most properties, is yes. But it is worth understanding why, and what the real variables are, before committing to a system.

Electrix has been designing and installing solar PV systems across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset for over 20 years. In that time, we have installed systems that consistently outperform clients’ expectations and a smaller number that have underperformed because the installation was not right for the property. The difference usually comes down to how carefully the system was specified in the first place.

What Actually Affects Solar Output in Devon

The most important factor is roof orientation and pitch. A south-facing roof at between 30 and 40 degrees generates the maximum annual output from a given panel area. East and west-facing roofs produce less, but often still provide a strong return, particularly when combined with battery storage that allows you to shift generation across the day. North-facing roofs are generally not suitable for solar.

Shading is the other major variable. A panel that spends part of the day in shadow from a chimney, dormer, or adjacent building loses a disproportionate amount of output compared to a fully unshaded installation. We assess shading carefully at every survey, because a system designed around a shaded roof needs different panel technology and inverter configuration to perform well.

The Honest Numbers

A well-specified 4kWp system on a good south-facing Devon roof typically generates somewhere between 3,200 and 3,800 kWh per year. With electricity prices at current levels, and assuming you use a reasonable proportion of that generation directly rather than exporting it, the payback period on a quality system is generally in the range of seven to ten years. Battery storage adds to the upfront cost but significantly improves self-consumption and is increasingly the financially sensible choice.

Battery Storage: Increasingly the Right Choice

Without storage, surplus solar generation that is not being used in the house at the moment of generation is exported to the grid, usually at a rate significantly below the import tariff. Battery storage changes that equation by capturing surplus generation and making it available in the evening when consumption rises. Electrix is a certified Tesla Powerwall installer. The Powerwall 3 provides 13.5 kWh of storage and can provide whole-home backup in the event of a grid outage, which is a feature that resonates strongly in rural Devon where power cuts are a reality.

Starting with a Proper Survey

No responsible solar installer should quote a system without understanding the property first. Our design team assesses roof orientation and pitch, shading, existing electricity consumption patterns, and any planned changes like an EV or heat pump that will affect future demand. The system we design is specific to your home, not a standard package applied without thought.

If you are considering solar PV for your Devon home or business, get in touch with Electrix for a no-obligation survey and quotation. We cover Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset. Call or email to arrange a visit.