Flat Roof Solar Installation in Wimbledon (SW19): Solar with a Fox ESS Battery
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The Sunbright Energy team recently completed a flat-roof solar and battery installation for a homeowner in Wimbledon, London.
This project shows that a solar system does not need to be unusually large to deliver meaningful results. By making careful use of the available roof space and pairing the solar array with appropriately sized battery storage, the system is expected to supply a substantial proportion of the property’s annual electricity demand..
This system is expected to generate around 4,459kWh of clean electricity each year, reduce reliance on the grid and create further savings through smart battery management.
For homeowners in Wimbledon and South West London with a suitable flat roof, this installation is a strong example of what can be achieved through careful system design.
System Size
Solar Generation
Total Savings
Project Overview
Location: Wimbledon, London, SW19
Solar Array Size: 5.115kW
Solar panels: 11 × Aiko Neostar 2S 465W panels
Inverter: Fox ESS H1 G2 6.0kW Hybrid Inverter
Battery: Fox ESS EP12
Expected Annual Generation: 4,459kWh
Annual Household Consumption: 5,600kWh
The system was designed around the property’s estimated annual electricity consumption of 5,600kWh. Rather than simply filling the roof with panels, the aim was to create a balanced installation that could generate useful electricity during the day, store surplus energy and support lower-cost overnight charging.
Making Effective Use of a Flat Roof
Flat roofs are sometimes overlooked by homeowners considering solar panels. There is a common assumption that a pitched, south-facing roof is required to achieve worthwhile results.
That is not necessarily the case.
A flat roof can provide useful design flexibility because the panel arrangement is not dictated by an existing roof pitch. Instead, the mounting system and layout can be designed around the available space, expected sunlight, shading and structural requirements.
For this Wimbledon property, the 11 panels were arranged as a compact, low-profile array across the available roof area. The completed installation uses the space efficiently while maintaining suitable access around the system.
Flat-roof solar design requires careful consideration of:
- The roof’s structure and condition
- Wind loading
- Panel angle and orientation
- Drainage
- Row spacing and shading
- Safe maintenance access
This is why an accurate survey and bespoke design are so important. A good flat-roof installation is not simply a pitched-roof system placed on a different surface. It must be engineered around the property.
Designing the System Around the Home
The homeowner uses around 5,600kWh of electricity each year.
This level of demand made battery storage an important part of the design. Solar panels produce most of their electricity during daylight hours, but many households use more power in the morning and evening.
Without a battery, a larger proportion of the system’s midday generation would be exported to the grid. By including an 11.5kWh Fox ESS EP12, the homeowner can store more of that surplus electricity and use it later.
The system was designed to:
- Produce a meaningful proportion of the home’s annual electricity
- Reduce daytime grid imports
- Store excess solar generation for evening use
- Charge at lower-cost times under a suitable tariff
- Reduce exposure to peak electricity prices
The result is a well-balanced residential system rather than an unnecessarily oversized one.
The System in Wimbledon
11 Aiko Neostar 2S Solar Panels
The array comprises 11 Aiko Neostar 2S 465W All Black ABC N-Type Mono solar panels, giving a total installed capacity of 5.115kW.
These high-output panels allow a strong total capacity to be achieved from a relatively compact roof area. Their all-black appearance also gives the completed array a clean and consistent finish.
The system is expected to generate approximately:
4,459kWh per year
Actual output will vary with weather, seasonal sunlight, shading and long-term panel performance, but the projected figure provides a useful basis for estimating energy savings.
Fox ESS H1 G2 Hybrid Inverter
The solar panels are connected to a Fox ESS H1 G2 6.0kW single-phase hybrid inverter.
The inverter converts the direct-current electricity produced by the panels into alternating-current electricity that can be used within the home.
Fox ESS EP12 Battery Storage
The installation includes one Fox ESS EP12 battery, providing 11.5kWh of storage capacity.
The battery gives the homeowner two main opportunities to save.
First, it can store excess solar electricity generated during the day. That energy can then be used during the evening or overnight instead of purchasing electricity from the grid.
Second, the battery can charge during cheaper off-peak periods under a suitable time-of-use tariff. That lower-cost electricity can then be used when standard rates are higher.
This means the battery is not only a place to store solar generation. It also acts as a wider energy-management tool.
At Sunbright Energy, Fox ESS are always our go to inverter & battery brand thanks to their reliability, high efficiency and fantastic customer service.
Sunbright Energy are also the only Fox ESS Approved Installer in Kent.
Thinking about FOX ESS FOR YOUR PROPERTY?
Sunbright Energy are the only Fox ESS Approved Partner in Kent
Expected Annual Energy Performance
The system is expected to generate 4,459kWh of electricity per year.
The projected generation breakdown is:
- 1,653kWh used directly within the home
- 647kWh stored from solar and later supplied through the battery
- 2,118kWh exported to the grid
- 41kWh accounted for through charging losses
The property’s estimated annual consumption is 5,600kWh, supplied by:
- 1,653kWh directly from solar
- 2,799kWh through the battery
- 1,148kWh directly from the grid
Overall, the model suggests that close to 80% of the property’s annual electricity use could be supplied through direct solar generation and the battery, leaving around 20% to be imported directly from the grid.
Projected Electricity Bill Savings
Before the installation, the property’s annual electricity cost was estimated at:
£1,764
With the solar panels and battery operating under the tariff assumptions used in the proposal, the annual import bill is expected to fall to:
£556
That represents a projected first-year bill saving of:
£1,208
The system is also expected to export surplus electricity to the grid.
Using an assumed export rate of 16p per kWh, the model predicts around £149 in first-year export payments. This would reduce the effective annual electricity cost to approximately:
£406
When the reduced import bill and export income are considered together, the model indicates a total first-year benefit of around £1,358 before additional battery optimisation.
These figures are projections rather than guarantees. Actual savings will depend on energy use, future tariff rates, weather, export payments and how the system is operated.
If you’d like a full savings estimate based on your unique home, enter your postcode below and get your savings estimate in 60 seconds:
Environmental Impact
The system is expected to reduce the property’s carbon emissions by around:
915kg of CO₂ each year
That is equivalent to approximately:
- 3,267 miles travelled by car
- The annual carbon absorption of around 42 trees
Alongside the financial savings, the homeowner will therefore be reducing the environmental impact of the electricity used within the property.
What This Wimbledon Project Shows
This project demonstrates that a flat-roof solar system does not need to be especially large or complicated to produce strong results.
The most important factor is not simply how many panels can fit on the roof. It is how well the complete system is designed around the property and the homeowner’s electricity use.
In this case, the combination of a 5.115kW solar array, 11.5kWh battery and hybrid inverter is expected to reduce the homeowner’s grid reliance substantially while creating several different sources of financial value.
The best solar system is not always the biggest one. It is the system designed around the roof, household demand and the way the homeowner actually uses electricity.
Thinking About Going Solar in Wimbledon?
If you own a home in Wimbledon, South West London or the surrounding areas and are considering solar panels for a flat roof, the first step is a professional assessment of the available space, roof condition, energy usage and battery requirements.
At Sunbright Energy, we provide FREE detailed quote packs along with a complete savings estimate tailored to your property.
Click the button below to get in touch with the Sunbright energy team today.
Thinking about solar panels FOR YOUR HOME?
Get in contact with Sunbright Energy today
Meet The Owner
Oliver Crouch – Director
“I’m Oliver, the Director of Sunbright Energy. We’re a local, family-run business in the solar industry, which I’ve proudly led since its founding in 2014.
As a family business, we value personal connections and community. We’re driven to treat every customer with the respect and attention they deserve. Don’t hesitate to start your solar journey today – get in touch with Sunbright Energy for a service you can trust.”
FAQs
Are flat roofs suitable for solar panels in Wimbledon?
Yes. Flat roofs can be well suited to solar panels, provided the structure, mounting design, wind loading, drainage and shading are properly assessed.
How much electricity can a 5kW solar system generate in London?
Output depends on panel orientation, angle, shading and local conditions. This 5.115kW Wimbledon system is expected to generate approximately 4,459kWh per year.
Is an 11.5kWh battery suitable for a 5kW solar system?
It can be. An 11.5kWh battery may suit homeowners who want to store daytime solar generation and charge during cheaper off-peak periods. The right capacity depends on household usage and tariff strategy.
Can flat-roof solar panels work with battery storage?
Yes. The roof type affects how the panels are mounted, but it does not prevent the system from working with battery storage or a hybrid inverter.
How much could solar panels save a homeowner in Wimbledon?
Savings depend on consumption, tariffs, export rates and battery use. For this project, the model estimated a £1,208 first-year import-bill saving, increasing to around £1,358 after expected export payments.
