Solar panels for your home sound appealing. The sun shines on your home, providing electricity for free. You can also reduce your energy bills.
Experts agree that it is vital to reduce carbon emissions related to heating and powering homes. These emit about a fifth of the UK’s total CO2 emissions.
In a time where energy prices are on the rise and we all want to do our part for the environment, installing solar panels at your home is more attractive than ever. How do solar panels work for you?
Consumers are becoming more aware of the importance to use “green” or renewable energy. Citizens Advice has revealed that two-thirds (63%) of households are considering making their homes more efficient in the next 12 month. NatWest’s study found that 55% said they plan to make eco-friendly improvements in their property in the following ten years.
The most cost-effective way to generate electricity is now with solar and wind. And unlike traditional energy sources, they will never run out. It is not surprising that solar panels are a popular home improvement. There are an estimated 1 million of them on UK houses. While they are expensive, in the long term, solar panels can reduce your electricity bills, carbon footprint, and you will also be paid for the extra energy that you produce.
How do solar cells work?
Photovoltaics (or solar electricity panels) capture sunlight and convert it to electricity. This electricity can then be fed into your main electricity supply. A solar panel’s cells are made of layers of semiconducting material, usually silicon. It generates electricity when light hits it.
Any appliances you use in your home during the generation of electricity from your solar panels will also be powered by the electricity generated by the solar panels. Any excess electricity will be sent back to the grid and you will be compensated.
You may also find thermal solar panels when researching solar panels. These panels heat water only.
How much do solar panels cost?
This depends on which type of panels you choose. This is dependent on the amount of electricity used by your household, the roof space available, and the amount you are willing spend.
A single panel of solar panels can be as low as PS350 or PS500. The most common domestic size is the 4kWp system. This will usually cover approximately 29 square meters of roof and cost around PS6,000. According to Energy Saving Trust (EST), the average domestic PV system will produce 3.5kWp, and it costs approximately PS4,800 (plus VAT at 5%). The typical system will take up approximately 15-20m2 roof area and is suitable for a terraced home.
How much does it cost to install solar panels?
Solar panels can be expensive because of their installation. The Energy Saving Trust recommends getting estimates from at least three solar panel installers London.
You can split some installation costs if you already have scaffolding in place for roof repairs or building a new home. You can also choose to have panels installed on your roof or build-integrated tiles. The cheapest option is to place panels on top of your roof, while tiles will cost you more for an equivalent system.
Are solar panels really going to help me save money?
It will take time for your solar panels’ to pay off. How much electricity you use and how much are you paid for it.
According to Mike Childs of Friends of the Earth, the head of science, solar panels on the roofs of homes or buildings will not pay off for 20 years. He said that solar panels can have huge environmental benefits, depending upon where you live and how you use electricity. “The average person adds 12.7 tonnes of CO2 per year. But, by installing solar panels, around 1 tonne can be saved each year.
What can I do with the solar energy that my panels generate?
If you own a solar PV system that generates more power than you use, any surplus energy will be returned into the national grid. Electricity suppliers can offer payment for every unit you export to grid under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), which was implemented in January 2020. The old feed-in tariff scheme offered more flexibility, but was closed to new customers at the close of March 2019.
You can choose the best tariff SEG for electricity sold back to national grid. It is separate from any contract with your energy supplier.
SEG tariffs may be either fixed or variable. A fixed SEG tariff pays a set rate per kWh of electricity exported during the term of the contract. Variable SEG tariffs are subject to market demand and will have a variable price. The only requirement is that prices do not fall below zero.
Solar Energy UK provides a league table to help you find the best rate suppliers. Ofgem also publishes a list every year of SEG licensees. You can also contact the energy company directly to get more information on their tariffs.
The Energy Saving Trust estimates that London households could save about PS295 annually on their energy bills by installing solar panel if they have someone home. They could also save an additional PS90 each year by selling excess energy under the Smart Export Garanty.
