The appearance of photovoltaic solar (PV) panel on UK roofs is an increasingly and more regular view, but are these panels worth the investment?
We’ve listed the top advantages of solar panels in order to determine if it’s best renewable technology for your needs.
Are solar panels worth the investment?
There’s never been better time to take advantage of solar power. Here are the seven biggest solar panel advantages and tips on how you can get the most price for your installation.
1. Save money by paying less electric bill
If you generate your own energy, you’ll have to pay less energy from your provider and you will save money. The more energy you generate, the less you’ll need to fret about rising prices for energy.
Many households manage to cut their energy usage by 40-50 percent!
Yes, solar panels can still generate energy, even in summer and on days with cloudy skies. They are, however, more efficient in summer.
2. Maximise Savings with a solar battery
The addition of a solar battery in your solar system will increase your savings on electricity more.
If your system produces more energy than what you’re using, it will return it into the Grid. However, if you’ve installed solar batteries in your system, you’ll be able to save this energy instead. This means that you can are able to access unlimited energy when the sun doesn’t shine, and you’ll be able to spend less on energy costs.
3. Lower carbon emissions
Solar panels don’t generate carbon emissions when they’re working which means they can drastically reduce the impact of your home’s energy use on the environment.
If electricity produced in the standard way is made by burning fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal, it produces greenhouse gases, which harm our planet So the more electricity we can produce using renewable sources the better for everyone.
If that’s not enough motivation If that wasn’t enough, soon all fossil fuels are going to eventually run out (some studies suggest that this could happen as early as 30-60 years from now). The sun, however, is a constant power source.
If we could harness the sun’s energy, it would produce enough energy enough to power the entire planet for a whole year!
4. Charge your electric car using free energy
It is also possible to use your solar energy for free to power your electric vehicle that will also reduce the carbon emissions of your car and reduce your the cost of fuel. In terms of solar panel benefits it’s a big one!
A small electric vehicle produces about fifteen tonnes of carbon dioxide in the process of construction up to scrapping, as contrasted to an average of 32 tonnes for a comparable gasoline or diesel vehicle. The expense of charging your car with electricity can also save money when compared to refilling using diesel or petrol.
The solar PV system you install require a sufficient amount of energy to power your car and home. We recommend you talk to an expert installer to determine the most suitable solution.
5. There are no running costs, minimal maintenance, and long lasting
Once your solar panels are installed, there’s no expenses to consider. Sometimes, you’ll need to have the solar panel cleaned to ensure they’re receiving as much sun as is possible. When you’ve got trees growing in your backyard, it’s important to ensure that they’re not blocking your panels. In addition it’s not necessary to perform another maintenance task.
The majority of solar panels on the market today are protected by a 20-25 years warranty. If anything technical should go wrong you’re safe with the knowledge that it will be fixed for free.
Be aware that your solar PV system is likely to include an inverter, which is the device which converts solar energy into electricity that can be utilized in your home. Inverters are usually covered by a guarantee of 5 to 10 years. This means that you’ll likely need to replace it at some point over the lifetime of your system.
6. The solar technology has more efficiency than ever before
Nowadays, the majority of solar panels (in residential installations) have efficiency levels of 14-20% , however it can reach 22% for the top brands that operate at the highest efficiency. The effectiveness of solar panels can be affected if they’re shaded or placed improperly. To maximize energy savings the panels must be set on a south-facing roof with an angle of 30-45 degrees.
Of course, the diverse character of British weather makes it difficult to know how much sun will be available and, consequently, the amount of energy that solar panels will produce. Solar panels do not require direct sunlight to function, however they should be professionally installed at the correct position and at the right position towards the sun. When your roofing is surrounded by buildings or trees, it will affect the efficiency of the panels.
7. Installation is less expensive than ever
The advancements with solar power technology a growing demand and a larger market mean that the cost of solar panel installation has decreased significantly; it’s nearly 50% less expensive to put up solar panels today than it was eight years ago.
The types of solar panels
Solar PV
Solar panels are huge frames that are usually placed on the roof. They create electric power for your home by with solar energy. The most popular kinds of solar panels are polycrystalline or monocrystalline, however you can also locate thin-film solar panels.
Monocrystalline panels are composed of monocrystalline silicon crystals. They usually are black in color and tend to be the highest efficient solar PV panel.
Polycrystalline panels consist of a mixture of various silicon crystals that are combined and display blue hues.
The thin film solar panel is new to the market . They comprise a small layer of Amorphous Silicon that makes the panels lighter and more flexible. They are also more efficient in low-light conditions. They’re generally less expensive than crystal panels, but aren’t as reliable or well-tested.
Solar PV Tiles as alternative to installing solar panels onto your roof It is currently possible to put solar PV panels on your roof. They make use of the same technology used in traditional solar panels but are specifically designed to blend with the structure of your home, making them an element of your roof.
Solar Thermal
Panels that use solar energy are like solar PV panels but instead of creating electricity for your home, they utilize the sun’s energy to warm your water.
Selecting the best type of solar panels to fit your house isn’t something you should attempt without expert advice. We suggest you look at the recommendations and prices of three distinct MCS approved (or similar) installers to choose the best option at a reasonable price.
