The demand for solar power is increasing – more than one million rooftops across the UK are now covered with solar panels. There is a shift in the sun to green energy and your home can definitely be a part of it.
Why would solar energy be beneficial to you? Let’s look at the main benefits and drawbacks of making the switch towards solar power.
Solar panels have advantages
Save energy costs by reducing your bills.
The power of solar-generated electricity can knock a significant amount off your monthly energy costs. On average an 3.5 Kilowatt (kW) solar panels will cost you £7,860. However, it’s likely to save you about 608 per year, based on the region you’re located on the UK.
The savings on your energy bill will be contingent on two factors:
How much electricity do the solar panels generate – To boost the amount of solar-generated power, you can buy solar panels with high efficiency, or even add more panels to your roof
How much electricity you actually use? can buy a solar-powered battery for storing the energy generated by your panels in the daytime when you’re not at home, and it’s accessible to you during the night (when the sun isn’t out)
Make money from power you don’t consume.
For the majority of homes in UK solar panels generate lots of solar power. homeowners aren’t sure of how to use it all. This is the place where the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a great solution.
The SEG requires accredited electricity suppliers to provide tariffs for small-scale, low-carbon generators. e.g. homes with solar panels. The solar energy that isn’t utilized is returned towards National Grid. National Grid, and the household pays for it.
Shrink your carbon footprint
The main motive solar panels can be so beneficial for the environment is due to their carbon-free technology. In fact, the typical household solar system that is installed across the UK can save approximately 1.3 to 1.6 tons of CO2 from entering into the atmosphere every year.
In the midst of “climate emergency” klaxons, it’s high time to ditch the sludge of fossil fuels.
Pay attention to the silence
These silicon-soaked sheets can be very effective in generating power however they aren’t keen to talk about it.
Because it doesn’t contain any moveable components in a solar panel, they’re silent and quiet – quite different from the ruckus of a variety of generators that are small in size.
Feel less dependent on the grid.
Are you feeling trapped by the grid? Solar panels Birmingham may be the answer. In essence, the more energy you create and the lower your energy consumption, the less you have to buy energy from firms.
Although the typical solar PV system will not allow you to be completely independent (you’re likely to need to get energy from the grid in the evenings) by adding one or two solar batteries will give you the ability to achieve self-sufficiency. You can then keep any excess energy in reserve to be used on a rainy or stormy day (or cloudy day or night or night time, for that matter).
If you’re trying to avoid making use of the grid while on the move it’s possible to purchase flexible solar panels to go on off-grid travels.
You can easily scale it up
The truth is that solar panels can be scalable. This means that you can easily include more panels in existing systems rather than having to remove it and construct a larger one.
Similar to the storage of solar power. There are many models of solar batteries that are similar to LEGO bricks in their ability to be put together into towers, and/or placed in a row.
Maintain your home in a low-maintenance state.
Solar panels are completely independent, which means they do not require constant monitoring.
To make the most the panels it is essential to ensure that they are clean and free of obstructions. Since these panels with smooth surfaces are placed on an angle it is likely that most dirt and dust will slide right off. Regular rainfall can also help keep the area clean.
The most solar panel have a an 25-year guarantee and can be used for up to 40 years. That means they’re in your home for the entire time.
Look into financial support
These expensive companions can strain your budget however, there are a myriad of programs that are able to come to your rescue:
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a alternative to the Feed-in Tariff. The SEG allows low-carbon households to receive payments for excess energy they export and return to grid
It is the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a great incentive for homeowners who want at investing in solar-powered panels. This RHI will encourage homeowners to make investments in sustainable heating technology by assisting them to pay for it by sending them monthly payments over a seven year time frame.
Explore the various kinds of solar
Solar energy is a solution for all needs regardless of whether you’re looking for renewable power or a sustainable way to warm your home.
There are two kinds of solar energy can be sourced at home including solar thermal as well as solar PV. The solar PV panels suck up sun’s rays and transform it into electricity. whereas solar thermal panels convert the solar energy into heat for water usage in the household.
The disadvantages of solar panels
They cost money.
A typical 3-4kW solar PV system can cost you approximately £7,860. Not exactly an affordable purchase, but solar PV panels have become more affordable.
The price of panels has dropped by around 70% in the last decade, and it will continue to increase as solar power becomes more widely used. If you’re interested in the full information, read our complete guide to the cost of solar panels.
They’re influenced by the weather
This is a no-brainer however solar panels perform best during the shining summer months than during winter’s dark, gloomy days. If the sky is clean and sun shines down upon your roof solar panels, they are in their best form.
However, if there’s a thing that Brits can be sure of, it’s that our weather isn’t one of the best. Therefore, during the dark days and cold winter nights you’ll be more dependent on the grid, however that doesn’t mean that your solar panels won’t stop working completely.
Actually sunlight isn’t an important component of solar power, though it does help. All solar panels require is light.
They will require the correct roof
The ideal roof will be facing southwards at a 30 to 45 degree angle. However, the east and west-facing solar panels are a good option as well. You’ll have to ensure the roof is not encased by the shade, too.
If your home doesn’t meet the requirements it could be a challenge to install a successful solar power system.
There’s plenty one can accomplish to improve the conditions on your roof, for example purchasing solar panels with high efficiency (if you’re in a tight space) and cutting back trees (to lessen shading) and utilizing tilted racks (to make sure your panels are angled perfectly).
They consume a significant amount of space
Solar panels are surprisingly large parts of equipment, with an average of about 2m2 for each panel. And the more power you intend to produce, the more panels you’ll have to set up. Therefore, the larger the roof is, the more efficient.
If you’re having a hard time finding space and need to make a decision, consider the most efficient, premium models. While they are more costly some high-efficiency panels can perform exactly the same task in the same way as regular panels.
They are contaminated with toxic substances.
Like many electronic products solar panels are made up of compounds that could be toxic when released into the environment. This is why it’s important to purchase from reputable companies and to ensure that when they reach the expiration date of their lives (which could be more than 40 years) they are properly recycled.
A study in Nature Energy showed that the global environmental impact caused by the production of solar panels is greatly outweighed in the positive environmental impact associated with making use of the panels. The 4% energy produced from a solar panel will be offset by energy used to make it, making solar energy one of the most sustainable renewable energy sources.
They are expensive to relocate
As a trusted companion Your panels will be around for the long haul. If you’re thinking of the installation of solar panels on your property, be sure that you’re committed to living in the property for a long period of time.
These panels are large piece of equipment and are expensive for transporting from place to location – not forgetting the expense of having them back in place.
Long-term return on investment (ROI)
We came up with the figure that, in 2023, it will be home owners 12.9 years to make a profit on their solar panels with savings as much as 54% off energy costs.
While it may seem far off the return on investment is better than in the past.
What’s do we do next?
Solar power is a great option that offers advantages that far outweigh the negatives. While the initial investment can be an enormous amount of money but you’ll be able to look towards living in a house that is decorated with sparkling solar panels, slashing your expenses year-on-year as well as reducing the carbon footprint of your home.
Our most recent National Home Energy Survey also found an increase of 65% in homeowners were likely to purchase homes equipped with solar panels.
Sounds appealing? Talk to our team of experts today…