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Solar panels
Are solar panels worth installing in the UK?
If you plan to stay in your current home for long enough to pay back the initial investment, solar panels could save you money by reducing the need to pay for electricity. Although the sun's energy is free, you need to consider how much your upfront costs will be for the panels and any battery storage. You should also look into how much solar energy your property is likely to generate, which will be determined by a number of factors including the type of roof space you have and the direction the panels will face.
In addition to the possible longer term savings, solar is a renewable form of energy. Using renewables in place of burning fossil fuels will help you to reduce your carbon footprint.
There are free tools that help you to work out how suited your home is to solar panels, like this one from the Energy Saving Trust.
Do solar panels work when it's cloudy?
Yes, modern solar PV panels do work on cloudy days. They just won't generate as much energy as they would on a clear day.
So how do solar panels work? Solar PV (photovoltaic) panels work by capturing the sun's energy and converting it into electricity you can use in your home. When there's less of the sun's energy reaching the panels, they won't generate as much electricity. That's why it's important to consider the direction your roof faces and to avoid having panels that will be in the shade.
Solar thermal panels are similar, in that they also rely on the sun's energy. However, solar thermal panels use that energy to heat your home's water.
Source: homebuilding.co.uk 2022
Storing solar energy
Solar panels won't be generating energy all the time. This means that you may still need to rely on electricity from the National Grid. Battery storage could be useful a way of storing energy you generate during the day but don't use entirely, ready for you to use later. Adding battery storage will be an additional upfront cost, so factor that into your decision and budget. According to Which? you can expect to spend over £2,000 on battery storage.
Source: Which? 2023
Selling energy back to the National Grid
If you decide to install solar PV panels, the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) enables small-scale generators of renewable electric energy to receive payments from electricity suppliers for the electricity they export back to the National Grid, providing certain criteria are met.
Top questions about solar panels answered
The cost varies depending on your installer, the type of panels you want and how many you buy. Battery storage will be a further cost. The Energy Saving Trust say that the average domestic solar PV system is 3.5kWp and costs around £5,500.
Source: Energy Saving Trust 2022
A photovoltaic (PV) solar panel installation only requires planning permission for listed buildings or areas of outstanding natural beauty.
Source: E.ON, 2022.
Photovoltaic (PV) solar panel systems require little maintenance.
Panels tilted at 15 degrees or more benefit from being cleaned by rainfall, which helps the system to perform to its best. However in areas where debris or dust is likely to sit on the panels, occasional cleaning may be needed.
Panels should last 25 years or more, however some parts such as the inverter (which directs electricity back to the grid) is likely to need replaced within this time at a cost of approximately £800, dependent on manufacturer and the size of the system.
It is advised you consult with your installer regarding exact maintenance requirements before you commit to the installation of a solar PV system.
Source: Energy Saving Trust 2022.
After the inital survey, solar installations can be completed within a day or two, however some larger jobs may take longer. Installers should be able to confirm this once they know the size of the system you wish to have installed.
Source: homebuilding.co.uk 2022.
There are two types photovoltaic (PV) solar panels:
Grid-connected
Which ensure you are never without electricity, keeping you connected to the grid should you need more energy than your panels can generate, while also exporting back to the grid when you have extra energy.
Stand-alone
These systems are not connected to the grid and make up for any potential shortfall by charging a solar battery system, and storing the electricity generated to be used later.
These systems are less common, used mostly in areas that cannot be connected to the grid and as a result of the solar batteries required, tend to be more expensive.
Solar panels could increase value of your house by 4 - 14%,according to Yopa. However, keep in mind that there's a significant upfront installation cost and you may not recover all of it before you sell your home.
Source: Yopa 2022
If you meet the criteria, you could benefit from the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme. It's designed to help households deemed to be in fuel poverty. Visit the Ofgem webiste to learn more.
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