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Don’t miss out on the benefits of switching to solar. Harness the power of the sun and join thousands who are already enjoying massively slashed energy bills by generating their own solar electricity.
With a solar installation you could be enjoying annual savings over £500 — depending on how much you are using the power produced during the day — and if you benefit from payments available for selling any surplus electricity back to the grid.
Solar is a clean, renewable energy, so you’ll also be doing your bit for the environment too by reducing your household carbon footprint. See how solar could transform your own energy usage – request your free no obligation quotes today!
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Unfortunately, not all homes are able to have solar panels installed.Ideally, your roof should be south-facing to maximise electricity production, though it is still possible to have an east/west-facing system, though this is less productive (around 80% of the level of a south-facing roof).
Ideally, your roof would be unshaded as any nearby buildings, chimneys or trees could adversely affect performance. To get the most from your solar panels, you would want them to be exposed to sunlight during the peak production hours of 10am to 4pm.
The size and condition of your roof is also a key factor as the roof space needs to be of sufficient size and strength to accommodate the solar array. Pitched roofs are more effective at capturing light rays than panels on a flat roof and a roof angle title of around 30° is considered to be the best position for solar panels. If your roof isn’t naturally at the correct angle, a certified MCS installer can install brackets to adjust the angle of the solar panels.
Solar panels need daylight to generate power – not the sun’s rays. This means that power can still be generated by solar panels even when it is cloudy. In more recent years, solar panel manufacturers have improved the performance of solar cells so that they are able to generate electricity even when conditions are far from ideal.
Solar panels can actually be affected in terms of efficiency if the temperatures are too high, so direct sunlight is not always advantageous. Solar panels should be sited in a position where they are not overshadowed.
A solar battery is not required with every solar PV system, though having one helps households get the maximum from their solar panels. With battery storage, you are able to store energy that your solar system has produced for use later, rather than having to consume it at the time it is produced.
While solar batteries will tend to have a shorter lifespan (around 10-15 years) compared to solar panels (20-30+ years), the addition of one or more batteries to a solar PV set up can really make the difference in terms of how much electricity you are able to produce and actually use.
Solar panels have improved considerably in recent years and the longevity now means that you could realistically expect to get at least 25 years or even more from your solar panels, as long as they are well maintained. In fact, more modern solar panels could potentially last up to 40 years.
The part of your solar system that could need replacing more frequently is the inverter. Most inverters tend to have warranties of a five-year minimum but could last for up to 10-12 years.
The amount you could save with a solar set up depends on a number of factors including how much of the electricity you are able to use, whether you receive SEG payments for exporting any surplus to the grid, and the amount of sunshine you receive in your location.
Annual savings/income for a household where the occupier is at home all day, and therefore able to use the electricity produced (and also benefit from SEG payments) could be as high as £630 per year, according to Energy Saving Trust estimates. A household where the occupier is out all day until 6pm could enjoy estimated savings/income of £520.
Example annual saving/income with vs without the Smart Export Guarantee in London (based on fuel prices as of April 2024)
Household | With SEG | Without SEG |
Home all day | £630 | £360 |
Home in mornings | £590 | £285 |
Home in afternoons | £575 | £260 |
Out all day until 4pm | £535 | £180 |
Out all day until 6pm | £520 | £150 |
With greater adoption and more manufacturers and competition, the cost of solar panels has fallen considerably in recent years, making it a realistic option for many households. Making an investment in solar PV can prove to be a wise move for both the environment and your pocket.
The cost of a solar PV system depends on a number of factors including the size of the system, the type of solar panels installed, additional features of the system, plus any factors affecting the installation cost. In the UK, the average solar panel system is 3.5kW in size and is likely to cost between £5,000 and £7,000.
Solar panel systems vary in size and the larger the system you require, the more it will cost. A very small, 1kWp system could cost as little as £1,650, whereas a larger 6kW system will usually cost in excess of £10,500.
You need to bear in mind that any quote you receive for a solar installation will usually be for a complete solar package, so will include additional requirements aside from the solar panels, such as the solar inverter, solar battery (if required) and the cost of installation. This will mean that there are no hidden surprises when it comes to your solar installation.
As a solar PV system will be at peak production during daylight hours, you will make the most of it if you are able to use the electricity produced by running your appliances during this time. This is easy if you are home during the day or if you are able to set timers to run appliances, such as your washing machine or dishwasher, during the day. If you are someone in your household who works at home during the day, then this could mean that solar panels could be a really good investment for you.
It is also possible to combine your solar system with other renewable technologies such as heat pumps or solar hot water systems. These allow you to power a heat pump or the immersion heater in your hot water tanks, as a means of making great use of your excess solar energy.
Solar panel systems vary in size and the larger the system you require, the more it will cost. A very small, 1kWp system could cost as little as £1,650, whereas a larger 6kW system will usually cost in excess of £10,500.
You need to bear in mind that any quote you receive for a solar installation will usually be for a complete solar package, so will include additional requirements aside from the solar panels, such as the solar inverter, solar battery (if required) and the cost of installation. This will mean that there are no hidden surprises when it comes to your solar installation.
As a solar PV system will be at peak production during daylight hours, you will make the most of it if you are able to use the electricity produced by running your appliances during this time. This is easy if you are home during the day or if you are able to set timers to run appliances, such as your washing machine or dishwasher, during the day. If you are someone in your household who works at home during the day, then this could mean that solar panels could be a really good investment for you.
It is also possible to combine your solar system with other renewable technologies such as heat pumps or solar hot water systems. These allow you to power a heat pump or the immersion heater in your hot water tanks, as a means of making great use of your excess solar energy.
Solar panel systems vary in size and the larger the system you require, the more it will cost. A very small, 1kWp system could cost as little as £1,650, whereas a larger 6kW system will usually cost in excess of £10,500.
You need to bear in mind that any quote you receive for a solar installation will usually be for a complete solar package, so will include additional requirements aside from the solar panels, such as the solar inverter, solar battery (if required) and the cost of installation. This will mean that there are no hidden surprises when it comes to your solar installation.
There will be times when the electricity produced by your solar system is more than you are able to use or store. In these circumstances, the surplus can be exported to the grid, and you can receive a payment for every unit of electricity you export.
Previously, households were able to receive payments under the Feed-in Tariff, but this closed to new applicants in 2019 and was effectively replaced by the Smart Export Guarantee. The SEG is a government-backed initiative that requires some electricity suppliers to pay small-scale generators such as domestic households for energy exported into the National Grid. The savings from your solar set-up will be much greater with the SEG than without it.
