Solar panels? In England? No, it’s not a joke at our diabolical-most-of-the-time weather, but a real route to clean, lower-cost energy.
The UK government has set so much store by renewable energy, such as heat pumps and solar panels, that it created The Green Deal in 2013.
The scheme encourages homeowners and businesses to increase the energy efficiency of their properties in a bid to lower the country's greenhouse gas emissions. Loans are available but have to be repaid “through a charge added to your electricity bill”, Gov.uk explains. "If you have a prepayment meter, a small amount will be taken from the meter each day. This is because the Green Deal stays with the property. If you move, you no longer benefit from the improvements and therefore stop paying for them."
If you're considering switching to a green energy source like solar panels to power your home, you're not alone. Some 1.5 solar panels decorate the roofs of homes across the UK, helping to reduce household energy costs and even putting some cash back in your pocket by selling excess energy.
Chris Pickford, customer experience manager at clean energy expert Egg, answers all our FAQs, from installation to how solar panels can increase your property’s value.
Why are solar panels useful for home energy?
As a renewable source of power, solar energy has an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change, but there are also financial benefits to homeowners - with opportunities to save on your electricity bills for years to come.
Solar panels can also increase the value of your home. More people have begun to see the importance of sustainable living spaces and include it as part of their search criteria when house hunting.
There are also more practical benefits - such as continued power if there is a power cut when you use battery storage as part of your solar set-up.
How much money can be saved?
It depends on how much electricity you consume, the size of your solar energy system, any battery storage, and how much power it can generate.
With an average 12-panel system (12 solar panels) and medium battery, homes could save an average of 80 per cent on their energy bills taking an average £83 electricity bill down to £16 per month.
These figures are based on 90 per cent of produced energy being consumed by the property with the remaining 10 per cent being sold back to the Grid. A reputable company will be able to provide accurate potential saving figures based on your property, consumption and product selection.
Do solar panels work when it’s cloudy and in winter?
Solar panels are most efficient when they receive direct sunlight but they can still produce electricity on cloudy or overcast days and even in indirect or diffuse sunlight. In the UK, the best direction for solar panels is south-facing but you can still take advantage if your house faces another way. Speak to your installer who should be able to explain what’s possible and how to get the best outcome for your property.
How long do solar panels work effectively and when should they be replaced?
Solar panels are built to endure and are designed for a long and productive life.
On average, you can expect your solar panels to keep producing clean energy for 25 to 30 years. Look for panels that come with performance guarantees covering you for up to 25 years too.
Where does extra energy get stored?
A battery is needed for extra energy and can cost around £2,100 in addition to your solar panels, depending on the size required. The more excess energy there is, the bigger the battery you’ll need. If you don’t have battery storage, excess energy will generally be sent back to the Grid.
How can a homeowner sell excess energy back to the National Grid?
Once your solar is installed, contact an energy supplier and tell them you want to sell your excess solar energy back to the grid. Your installer should have notified your network supplier of the installation, and provided you with the required documentation, meaning that the energy supplier can take care of the rest. Depending on your current electricity meter, your energy supplier may need to upgrade this to a smart meter to track the exported energy.
When considering which provider to sell your exported energy to, remember that you don’t have to buy and sell your energy from the same company. Homeowners should shop around for the best rates in their area from all suppliers.
Homeowners may also benefit from changing the supplier they buy energy from, as some offer preferential selling rates if you buy and sell from the same provider.
Are solar panels cheap to buy?
Solar panels are an investment. They start at around £6,000 for a small system and can be upwards of £18,000 for a large house.
As more people see the benefits of solar, we are seeing the costs reduced, however, homeowners should still focus on choosing solar panels that use quality materials and qualified, knowledgeable installers.
If a price sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There is a chance the product, installer or manufacturer won’t be around to support you or honour their guarantee in years to come. Shop around and ask about finance packages such as 0 per cent payment plans and offers that could make solar accessible to you sooner.
Are they easy to install or is a specialist required?
Only qualified installers should work with solar panels as they require additional paperwork, approval from your network supplier and certifications to show they are fitted and working correctly. Do your research and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Reputable companies will want to reassure you and put your mind at ease.
While solar panels for powering the house are one thing, there are lots of portable versions that can be used to charge outdoor CCTV or bundled in with your camping kit to use while you’re away. We’ve rounded up the best below.
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ECO-WORTHY 10kWh/Day Complete Solar Power System
- Power: 2550W
- Charge time: n/a
- Weatherproof rating: IP66
Designed for the home, garden shed or caravan, this 2550W solar power system can bring in 10kWh power per day in under four hours of direct sunshine. This means it can power everything from air conditioning units and TVs to fridges and other kitchen appliances, making it a great investment to have in case of power outages.
Panels are made with monocrystalline set within tough aluminium frames and tempered glass while 24V 100Ah lithium batteries are longer lasting than lead acid batteries (expect up to a decade of use).
Buy now £3699.99, Amazon
ALLPOWERS 200W Foldable Solar Panel
- Power: 200W
- Charge time: n/a
- Weatherproof rating: IP66
Leave the batteries at home: use this American-made solar panel to generate clean energy from the sun. The foldable unit is ideal for people travelling without access to mains power and comes with a series of connectors to plug your gadgets in to recharge. The exterior is water-resistant, anti-shock and anti-dust to keep it working for longer.
Buy now £299.99, Amazon
Yard Force LXSPP10 100W Portable and Foldable USB Solar Power Panel
- Power: 100W
- Charge time: n/a
- Weatherproof rating: n/a
From Yard Force comes this portable, cordless solar panel which helps you create power on the move. It's embedded with incredibly efficient solar cells that convert up to 24 per cent of direct sunshine into electricity.
Four outputs funnel this energy into dead devices, making it ideal for family camping trips but it's a useful thing to keep in the car for emergencies too. The panel comes with a kickstand to keep it propped up and catching rays while rubber handles make it easy to carry around safely.
Buy now £199.00, Homebase
Anker SOLIX PS200 Portable Solar Panel
- Power: 200W
- Charge time: n/a
- Weatherproof rating: IP67
Ideal for portable power on camping, hiking and fishing trips (or just propping up in the garden to keep your speaker going), Anker's portable solar panel can be adjusted to four angles - 0°, 40°, 50 or 80° - to give it the best chance of catching and converting as many rays into useable clean energy as possible. It can even be hung flat on a caravan door for free power wherever you go.
The folding design is waterproof and robust enough to support high-adventure lifestyles. It is best paired with Anker's compatible power stations or generators, allowing you to store the sun's energy to use when needed.
Buy now £389.00, Anker
Quechua Camping Solar Panel
- Power: 50W
- Charge time: n/a
- Weatherproof rating: not waterproof
When you're out in the wilderness for days or weeks at a time, there are only so many portable battery packs you can pack. Keep devices charged up with Quechua's Solar Panel, designed to keep your lamp, speaker and phone battery topped up with free energy from the sun.
Simply open the panel facing the sun and prop it up using the back tab, using the USB ports to connect your depleted gadgets. There are four ports, allowing multi-charging of several devices at once. You'll know it's working if the light indicator turns on.
The panel comes with a 3.5m long cable which should be enough length to keep it outside and your tech inside the tent.
Buy now £129.99, Decathlon
BLUETTI SP200 Solar Panel
- Power: 200W
- Charge time: n/a
- Weatherproof rating: IP65
Designed to be used with solar generators, this folding panel from Bluetti is crafted from monocrystalline. It boasts high conversion efficiency - up to 23.5 per cent, according to the company and works well, even on overcast days.
While it's durable, it's not designed for continuous outdoor use and should be taken inside if it rains. The IP65 rating can only cope with light splashes.
This makes it one to take on sunny camping trips rather than fixing onto a roof.
Buy now £299.00, B&Q
Tapo Solar Panel
- Power: 4.5W
- Charge time: 30min
- Weatherproof rating: IP65
Designed for outdoor tech like surveillance cameras like Tapo battery-powered cameras, this solar panel is designed for continuous outdoor use. It comes with a 13ft cable which offers enough freedom to position the panel where it will catch the most sun and the mounting bracket rotates 360°. The weatherproof panel is made from premium monocrystalline silicon cells to capture as much sunshine as possible.
Buy now £39.99, Amazon
EcoFlow 160W Portable Solar Panel
- Power: 160W
- Charge time: n/a
- Weatherproof rating: The solar panel can be submerged in water for up to half an hour with no damage caused.
EcoFlow's panels can be chained together with a solar cable, allowing more sunlight to be captured and converted into electricity. The flexible bracket stand and rubber handles are details that add to its lure, and it can be tilted up to 180 for maximum efficiency. Comes with a one-year manufacturer's guarantee.
Buy now £299.00, Argos
