5 Reasons You Should Totally Get Solar Panels, as a UK Homeowner
Do your neighbours have solar panels?
It’s pretty likely, as they are quickly growing in popularity. Solar panel installation hit a in the UK in 2023 according to Power Technology, with 183,000 solar panel systems installed last year alone. Looking out of my window right now, I can see 3 neighbouring houses with solar.
From saving money on bills to tackling climate change, there’s many reasons why UK homeowners are investing in solar panels.
Let’s run through 5 key benefits.
Reason 1: Cut your energy bills
One of the most alluring benefits of installing solar panels is cutting your energy bills.
Especially given the spiralling cost of energy recently. Personally my energy bills have quadrupled in the last couple of years, and I know many people who are far, far worse off.
How much you could save depends on many factors including the size of your solar system, weather conditions and how well insulated your home is. It’s always worth investing to make your home as energy efficient as possible before getting solar, so you’re not wasting your energy.
With an average sized system a typical household saves according to the Energy Saving Trust. With a larger system or smart energy usage it’s possible to save much more. Here’s a case study of a household that with solar panels.
Reason 2: Ensure energy security for peace of mind
Energy costs are volatile and influenced by world events far outside your control.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 caused a massive global energy crisis that sent shockwaves through the economy and contributed to the wider cost of living crisis in this country. Wholesale energy prices spiked, and Europe was very close to experiencing blackouts due to a critical drop in oil and gas supplies.
From wars to climate disasters, in many ways we’re living in a more and more uncertain world.
Having a secure and stable energy supply of your own makes a lot of sense against this concerning backdrop!
Adding your own home battery system takes your energy security to the next level.
Reason 3: Increase the value of your home
Solar panels are an attractive home upgrade that adds value to your property.
Estimates of the impact on property value varies widely. You could add , according to Checkatrade. At the very least it will make your property more attractive to eco-conscious viewers if and when you decide to sell.
As more and more people realise the benefits of solar, this is only going to become more popular in the future.
Reason 4: Earn money from selling back to the grid
As well as saving you money on your bills, you can actually earn money from your solar panels.
Here’s how it works.
Because we don’t get consistent sunshine around the clock and around the year, solar power is variable. You generate more in the summer, in the middle of the day, and on sunny days. But your power consumption doesn’t follow this same pattern. So what happens is sometimes you’re generating more power than you need, in which case you’ll export that surplus to the grid. At other times of course, you won’t generate enough and you’ll import power from the grid to make up the shortfall.
Your energy company will sort out the difference and either charge you, or — and here’s where the magic happens — pay you if you exported more than you imported in a given month.
Octopus Energy was the first UK energy supplier to offer an export tariff after the old Feed-In-Tariff system was phased out in 2019. It’s called and the fixed version pays 15p per kWh of renewable power exported to the grid.
Reason 5: Cut carbon and help fight climate change
Last but not least, getting solar panels reduces your carbon emissions — helping to tackle the climate crisis and transition to a green economy.
For many people, this is a good enough reason to do it, and the 4 other benefits are the icing on the cake.
A typical rooftop solar system saves around , according to the Energy Saving Trust. That’s like driving from London to Bristol 30 times. Along with the energy efficiency improvements that should be done before installing solar panels, this is one of the best things you can do to significantly cut your carbon.
And if you’re wondering — yes it’s still definitely an environmental win even when considering the manufacturing of the panels.
It takes around for a home solar system to offset its lifecycle emissions, according to Solar.com. The average lifespan is around 25 years so that leaves over two decades of clean power generation. The water consumption and land-use is also far less than energy from fossil fuels.
Final Thoughts
What do you think — are these 5 reasons convincing you to get solar?
Personally as a new homeowner, I am really keen to get solar panels. I have a few other things to prioritise on my house first, including upgrading our energy efficiency with loft insulation, but solar panels are on the list for sure.
Let me know in the comments what you think.
And follow me for more articles about energy, sustainability and the transition to a green economy.
