The demand for solar power is growing exponentially – over one million roofs across the UK are now covered with solar panels. The sun is driving a shift to green energy and your home is able to be a part of it.
Why would solar energy help you? Let’s talk about the major benefits and drawbacks of making the switch towards solar power.
Solar panels Birmingham have advantages
Save money on your energy bills
A home powered by solar electricity can knock a significant amount off your monthly electricity expenses. On average an 3.5 Kilowatt (kW) solar panels will cost you £7,860. However, it will save you around 608 per year, based the location you’re on the UK.
The savings on your energy bill will be contingent on two factors:
How much electricity do the solar panels generate – In order to increase the amount of solar-generated power, you can buy solar panels with high efficiency, or install more panels on your roof
How much electricity you actually use? can purchase a solar battery that stores the power that your panels produce during the day when you’re away, making it accessible to you at night (when the sun isn’t out)
Profit from the 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 the power – and that’s the place where the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is available.
The SEG requires electricity providers that are licensed to offer rates for small-scale, low-carbon generators. e.g. houses that have solar panels. Solar-generated electricity not utilized is returned into National Grid. National Grid, and the household pays for it.
Shrink your carbon footprint
The main reasons solar panels are 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 will save approximately 1.3 or 1.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide that enters into the air each year.
In the midst of “climate emergency” klaxons, it’s time to get rid of those dingy fossil fuels.
Pay attention to the silence
The sun-soaked silicon sheets produce power however they aren’t keen to be praised for it.
Because the solar panel doesn’t have any movement components in a solar panel, they’re completely silent, an utter contrast to the noise of various kinds of generators that are small in size.
Feel less dependent on the grid.
Are you feeling shackled to the grid? Solar panels may be the answer. In essence, the more energy you produce more, the less energy you will need to buy energy from firms.
While the standard solar PV system isn’t going to provide you with complete independence (you’re likely to need to get electric power from the grid in the evenings) the addition of an solar battery or two can provide you with a genuine self-sufficiency. You can then save any energy that is not being used to use on a rainy day (or cloudy night or daytime or night time, for that matter).
If you’re looking to stay away from having to use the grid when you’re traveling it’s possible to purchase flexible solar panels to go on off-grid travels.
You can easily scale it up
Solar panels are scalable. That means that you can easily add more panels to existing systems as opposed to having remove it to build a new one.
Similar to batteries that store solar energy. A lot of solar battery models are similar to LEGO bricks in their ability to be put together in towers or arranged in a row.
Keep your things low-maintenance
Solar panels are completely independent, which means they do not require constant monitoring.
To make the most from your panel, you must to ensure that they are clean and free of obstructions. But, because these panels with smooth surfaces are placed on an angle it is likely that most dirt and dust can slide off easily. Regular rainfall can also help keep the panels clean.
The most solar panel have a warranties of 25 years and can be used for up to 40 years. That means they’re there for the duration of time.
Look into financial support
The cost of these expensive products can strain your budget however, there are a myriad of plans by the government that could come to help:
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a alternative to the Feed-in Tariff. The SEG allows low-carbon households to be paid for the excess energy they sell and return to grid
It is the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is for homeowners who wish at investing in solar-powered panels. This RHI will encourage homeowners to make investments in sustainable heating technology by assisting them in paying for it by sending them installments every quarter over a seven-year time frame.
Explore the various kinds of solar
Solar energy can cover all bases regardless of whether you’re looking for renewable power or a sustainable method to warm your home.
There are two kinds of solar energy can be sourced at home such as solar thermal as well as solar PV. The solar PV panels suck up sun’s rays and transform it into electricity. On the other hand, solar thermal panels convert solar energy into heat for water usage in the household.
Solar panels have disadvantages.
They cost money.
A typical 3-4kW solar PV system can cost approximately £7,860. Not exactly inexpensive, however the solar panel is becoming more affordable.
The cost of solar panels has decreased by approximately 70% in the last decade, and the trend is expected to continue as solar power becomes more widely used. If you’re interested in the full information, read our comprehensive guide on solar panel costs.
They’re influenced by the weather
This is a no-brainer however solar panels perform best during the shining summer months than during the winter’s dark days. If the sky is clean and sun beams down upon your roof your solar panels are the most efficient.
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 it’s more likely that you’ll depend on the grid, however that doesn’t mean that your solar panels won’t stop working completely.
Actually sunlight isn’t an vital component in solar power, but it can certainly 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, but the east and west-facing solar panels work as well. You’ll have to ensure the roof is not encased by the sun’s rays as well.
If your home doesn’t meet the requirements and you’re not sure, then you may struggle to put up a reliable solar panel 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 limited in space) or cutting down trees (to lessen shading) and utilizing tilted racks (to make sure your panels are angled perfectly).
They can take up lots of space
Solar panels are surprisingly large parts of equipment, with an average of about 2m2 for each panel. The more power you intend to generate, the greater number of panels you’ll require to put up. Therefore, the larger the roof the better.
If you’re being squeezed for space it is possible to choose top-quality, high-efficiency models. While more costly there are a few high-efficiency panels will do the same thing as the majority of conventional panels.
They are contaminated with toxic substances.
Like many electronic products solar panels also contain chemicals which can be harmful when released into the environment. This is why it’s important to purchase from reputable companies and make sure that they are recycled at the conclusion of their lifespan (which could be more than 40 years) they are properly recycled.
A study in Nature Energy showed that the global environmental impact of constructing solar panels is greatly outweighed with the benefits to our environment associated with making use of the panels. The 4% power generated from a solar panel will be offset by energy used to make it, making solar energy one of the greenest sources of renewable energy.
It is expensive to transport
As a trusted family member The panels you have installed will be around for the long haul. So, if you’re thinking about the installation of solar panels on your house, ensure that you’re committed to living in the property for a long period of time.
These panels are large piece of equipment and they’ll be costly for transporting from place to the next location, not to mention the expense of getting them back in place.
Long-term return on investment (ROI)
We calculated that in 2023, it will be home owners 12.9 years to make a profit with their solar panels with savings approximately 54% off electric costs.
While it may seem far off but this return on investment is higher than what it was in the past.
What’s do we do next?
Solar energy is a choice that has advantages that far outweigh the negatives. Even though the initial investment is quite a bit however, you will be looking at having a home that is outfitted with sparkling solar panels, saving money year after 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 respondents would be likely to purchase homes equipped with solar panels.
Sounds appealing? Talk to our experts now…