Solar panels are a popular investment, but are they worth it for your home? With rising electricity bills and a push for renewable energy, many homeowners are considering switching to solar to save money and reduce their carbon footprint.
Before you take the plunge, it’s worth weighing up the benefits, costs, and long-term savings.
Keep reading as we cover everything you need to know about solar panels, from installation costs to financial savings, so you can decide if they would make a good investment for your home.
Thinking of getting solar panels? Speak to our team today to discuss your energy needs and potential savings.
What to consider before getting a solar panel system
Before installing a solar system, there are several things to consider, from initial costs to electricity bill savings to the orientation of your roof. Let’s dive into some of the things you should consider before making a decision.
Household energy consumption
Fistly, you should weigh up how much energy your household uses. If your energy costs and consumption are high, then you could save a fair amount of money by producing your own solar electricity.
Solar panels work by converting sunlight into renewable electricity that powers your home and appliances. You can even adapt your solar system to suit your energy needs, whether it’s adding additional panels for more power output, an EV charger to power your car, or solar batteries to store excess energy.
Sunlight availability
To make the most of the sun’s power, you should determine whether the solar panels would get enough access to direct sunlight.
Sunlight availability can affect the amount of electricity generated, so home suitability is important when considering solar panels. South-facing roofs are ideal for installing solar panels as they receive the most sunlight throughout the day. East and west-facing roofs also get decent sunlight coverage.
The most important thing to watch out for is blockages from trees and nearby buildings (you may be able to remove debris from the roof or scale back a tree, but you can’t move a building out of the way).
An experienced solar panel installer, like Going Green Renewables, can assess your home and the land surrounding it to determine whether you could achieve a good level of solar energy production.
Cost of installation
The upfront cost of a solar installation is a big factor in deciding whether to get solar panels. The solar panel cost can vary significantly depending on the manufacturer and the number of panels. Installing additional products like batteries and EV chargers can also hike up the initial cost.
While you should consider your initial budget, it’s also important to balance this with long-term savings and lower electricity bills. You may even be able to earn money from your solar panels by selling surplus electricity back to the National Grid through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme.
Maintenance costs
Solar panels usually require little to no maintenance, but the occasional servicing and cleaning help improve solar panel efficiency over time. If something doesn’t look right with your solar panels, you may need to spend money on maintenance or repairs. While this isn’t often required for well-looked-after solar panels, maintenance costs should still be considered.
What is the ROI of solar panels?
You may wonder how long it will take to see your solar investment pay off. Depending on your electricity consumption, an average 3-bedroom house in the UK can expect to save around £1,000 per year, which is a return on investment (ROI) of around 7 to 9 years.
For commercial properties, the ROI can be even faster – around 2 to 3 years, depending on energy usage – since businesses typically use more electricity during the day.
How much money can I save from solar panels?
The financial benefits of installing a solar PV system vary from house to house. The average solar panel system for a 3-bedroom house can save around £1,000 per year, but it all depends on how much electricity you use and what type of solar products you have.
Certain energy suppliers and government schemes reward you for using solar power. You can also install solar batteries to become even more energy efficient and save more money.
Benefits of installing solar panels at home
Solar panels can have both financial and environmental benefits.
Take a look below:
- Switching to clean energy reduces your reliance on harmful fossil fuels, helping you live a more sustainable lifestyle
- Rely less on grid electricity and reduce energy bills over time
- Earn money with the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) by selling excess solar energy back to the National Grid
- Solar PV systems are easily adaptable as energy needs evolve (you could add extra solar panels or a battery storage system to store energy)
- Improve the value of your home and appeal to environmentally conscious buyers
Drawbacks of installing solar panels at home
While investing in solar panels has many benefits, it’s important to consider all aspects.
Take a look at some of the drawbacks:
- Solar panel installations can be expensive, but you may be able to reduce them with government schemes or local initiatives
- North-facing roofs and heavily shaded areas can make the solar panels less efficient
- Solar installations can be challenging if your roof doesn’t have enough space
Ready for a solar panel installation? Contact Going Green Renewables
If you’re ready to invest in solar energy, then get in touch today! Our solar panel installers will design a solution that maximises your property’s space and boosts your energy savings. Call us on 01252 560 587 or fill out our contact form for a free quote.
Frequently asked questions for those considering solar panels
How long do solar panels last?
Solar panels are a long-term investment, which is why they are so great for homeowners looking for a sustainable way to save money. With the right care and maintenance, solar panels can last up to 30 or 40 years! However, this timeline can change depending on the type of materials used, the weather conditions, and how well you take care of your solar panel system.
Will solar panels increase my home value?
Yes. Renewable energy is a growing industry, and houses with good solar potential are very attractive to buyers.