Our complete solar panel guide - learn how they work, their suitability for the UK, and how to choose the right one for you.
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Solar panels, once considered a technology of the distant future, have rapidly become an attractive and worthwhile investment for homeowners today. These sleek, energy-producing marvels are transforming the way we power our homes, providing an eco-friendly alternative to traditional energy sources. If you're curious about harnessing the power of the sun to reduce your energy bills and environmental impact, you've come to the right place.
This guide aims to shed light on solar panels, offering a comprehensive overview that takes you from the basics of how they work to the practicalities of installation and the numerous benefits they bring.
So, let's embark on a journey to demystify solar panels, explore their inner workings, understand their value, and help you make an informed decision about whether they are the right fit for your home.
At their core, solar panels are like nature's own power plants, capturing sunlight and transforming it into electricity. It all starts with a remarkable material known as photovoltaic cells, or simply solar cells. Here is how they work:
Imagine each solar panel as an array of tiny cells, all working together to capture the abundant sunlight that graces our planet every day. When sunlight, which is composed of tiny packets of energy called photons, hits these cells, something magical happens.
Photovoltaic cells, often made from silicon, are the stars of the show. They have a unique property: when sunlight strikes them, it excites the electrons within the cells. These excited electrons start moving around, creating an electric current. This is the key to converting sunlight into electricity.
As the electrons flow through the cells, they create direct current (DC) electricity. However, most of our appliances and the electricity grid itself use alternating current (AC). To make it compatible, an inverter inside your solar system works its own magic, converting DC into AC. This is what powers your lights, appliances, and everything else in your home.
In a nutshell, solar panels work by harnessing sunlight, exciting electrons in photovoltaic cells, and converting that excitement into the electricity that powers your home. This simple yet ingenious process is at the heart of how solar panels generate clean, renewable energy for you and your family.
There's a common misconception that solar panels are only practical in sun-drenched locales, making them seem like an improbable choice for the UK, known for its cloudy skies and frequent rain showers. However, the truth is far more enlightening.
Solar panels don't require blistering sunshine to produce electricity. They work based on the presence of daylight, not direct sunshine. Even on cloudy or overcast days, solar panels continue to generate energy. This is because they're designed to capture the full spectrum of light, not just the bright, sunny rays.
Solar panels are remarkably efficient at converting diffuse sunlight into electricity. Even when the sun is hidden behind clouds, they can still harness enough energy to power your home.
So, to debunk the myth that solar panels don't work in the UK for good, let’s wrap this section up by saying that they absolutely do, and what's more, they work quite effectively. In fact, the UK receives enough daylight throughout the year to make solar panels for your house a viable and worthwhile investment.
If you want to explore this topic in more detail, check out our article on 'whether solar panels need direct sunlight.' It offers valuable insights into how solar panels operate under various weather conditions.
When it comes to harnessing solar energy, not all panels are created equal. There are many different types of solar panels, three of the most popular being Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline and Thin-Film. Each type offers its own advantages and disadvantages. Understanding these differences is crucial for choosing the right panel type that suits your specific needs.
Advantages DisadvantagesEfficiency: Monocrystalline panels are known for their high efficiency, making them excellent for limited roof space.Cost: Monocrystalline panels are typically more expensive than other types of panels.Durability: They have a longer lifespan and are more resistant to wear and tear.Temperature Sensitivity: Their efficiency can drop slightly in very high temperatures.Aesthetics: Monocrystalline panels tend to have a sleeker, black appearance, which some homeowners find more attractive.
Advantages DisadvantagesCost-Effective: Polycrystalline panels are generally more affordable than monocrystalline and thin-film panels.Lower Efficiency: Polycrystalline panels are less efficient than monocrystalline panels, so you may need more roof space to achieve the same energy output.Lower Energy Costs: While slightly less efficient, they are still highly capable of generating electricity.Appearance: They are often less aesthetically pleasing due to their blue speckled appearance.
Advantages DisadvantagesFlexibility: Thin-film panels are lightweight and flexible, allowing for creative installation on various surfaces.Lower Efficiency: Thin-film panels are less efficient than crystalline silicon panels, requiring more space for the same energy production.Cost-Efficiency: They are typically the most cost-effective option, making solar power more accessible.Shorter Lifespan:They have a shorter lifespan compared to other types.
Choosing the right panel type depends on your specific needs and priorities. Here are some guidelines:
It's essential to consider factors such as your budget, available roof space (guide to how many solar panels can fit on your roof), and aesthetic preferences when selecting a solar panel type. We'd recommend checking out our guide on how to choose the best solar panels for your home - It covers everything you need to consider in more detail.
Consulting with a solar professional can also help you make an informed decision. We offer a great tool that can help you pick the best solar panels based on your unique circumstances, let’s dive into how it works.
Harnessing solar energy begins with understanding your property's solar potential. Fortunately, we offer a powerful Solar Energy Estimation Tool that simplifies this process. It’s designed to provide homeowners with a comprehensive assessment of their solar potential.
1. Input Your Details: To get started, you'll need to answer a few straightforward questions about your home. The tool will ask for details such as your postcode, the direction your roof faces, and how steep your roof is.
2. Accurate Energy Estimation: Once you've provided these details, the calculator goes to work. It accurately calculates how much energy you could harness from the sun in an average year based on your location and roof characteristics.
3. Cash Savings Projection: The tool doesn't stop at energy estimations. It translates these figures into potential cash savings, giving you a clear picture of the financial benefits of solar panel installation.
4. Tailored Solar Panel Recommendations: One of the standout features of our tool is its ability to provide tailored solar panel options that suit your property best.
5. Connecting with Trusted Suppliers: Should you wish to proceed with solar panel installation, MakeMyHouseGreen can connect you with trusted suppliers and installers in your area. This ensures that you get reliable service and high-quality solar panels for your home.
Saves Time - Calculating your solar potential can be a complex task. This tool streamlines the process, making it quick and hassle-free.
Customised Recommendations - Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, the tool provides personalised recommendations based on your unique circumstances.
Financial Clarity - By projecting cash savings, the tool helps you make an informed decision about the financial benefits of solar panels.
When you think of solar panels, you might imagine them as standalone devices that generate electricity during the day. However, there's more to the equation, and that's where solar system batteries come into play.
Solar system batteries are energy storage units that work alongside solar panels to optimise the utilisation of solar-generated electricity. They serve as a vital component in residential solar energy systems, offering several benefits:
Energy Storage - Solar panels generate electricity primarily during daylight hours. However, homes require power both day and night. Solar system batteries store excess energy produced during the day for use during the night or on cloudy days when solar production is reduced.
Grid Independence - With a solar system battery, homeowners can reduce their reliance on the grid. Excess energy can be stored and used when needed, reducing the need to draw power from the grid during peak hours when electricity prices are higher.
Backup Power - Solar batteries provide a backup power source during grid outages. This feature ensures that critical appliances and systems, such as lights, refrigeration, and heating, continue to operate when the grid is down.
For example, solar panels in Hampshire, where the sun's intensity is a solid 535 w/m2, could generate around 5534 kWh annually - drastically reducing grid reliance.
Solar system batteries are designed to store and discharge electrical energy efficiently. Here's a simplified breakdown of how they function:
1. Charging - During periods of abundant sunlight, surplus electricity generated by solar panels is directed to the battery for storage.
2. Discharging - When electricity demand exceeds solar panel production, such as during the night or on cloudy days, the battery discharges stored energy. This electricity flows through the inverter where it’s converted into AC current, which can then be used to power your household devices and appliances.
3. Monitoring and Management - Modern solar system batteries are equipped with advanced monitoring and management systems. These systems optimise battery charging and discharging, ensuring efficient energy utilisation.
Investing in solar panels offers numerous financial benefits, making it an attractive option for homeowners looking to save money while reducing their environmental footprint.
The cost of purchasing and installing solar panels can vary based on several factors, including the size of the system, the type of panels chosen, and the complexity of the installation. On average, a small 3kW solar panel system (with no batteries) can cost between £6,000 and £7,000.
Again, we’d recommend using our tool to receive an accurate cost estimation based on your property and its unique characteristics.
The UK government provides incentives and programs to encourage the adoption of solar panels:
Solar panels offer significant long-term financial advantages:
Meet Solomon, a satisfied MakeMyHouseGreen customer. Solomon installed solar panels on his home and, in just two months, saved an impressive £630 on his energy bills. His story is a testament to the real financial benefits of solar panel ownership. Read more about Solomon’s solar panel case study.
The answer is generally yes. Numerous studies and reports suggest that solar panels can increase a property's resale value. This is due to them significantly boosting your property’s EPC rating. According to Money Supermarket, you can increase the value of your property by up to 14% if you were to increase your EPC rating to an A/B.
Homes equipped with solar panels are more energy-efficient, thus the higher EPC rating. They generate their electricity, reducing reliance on traditional energy sources. This leads to lower energy bills, making the property more attractive to potential buyers. Furthermore, energy-efficient homes align with the growing demand for environmentally friendly and cost-effective living. This can all contribute to higher demand for properties with solar panels and thus help increase the resale value of your house.
Solar panels are more than just an investment for your home; they are also a powerful tool for promoting a greener and more sustainable world. Here are some of the key environmental benefits of solar panels:
1. Reduced Carbon Emissions - Solar panels generate electricity without emitting harmful greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2). By harnessing the power of the sun, they help reduce the carbon footprint associated with traditional fossil fuel-based electricity generation. This reduction in CO2 emissions is a crucial step in combating climate change and improving air quality.
2. Decreased Reliance on Fossil Fuels - Solar energy reduces our dependence on finite and polluting fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. As we transition to cleaner energy sources like solar power, we decrease the extraction, transportation, and burning of fossil fuels, which are major contributors to environmental degradation and global warming.
3. Sustainable Energy Source - Solar energy is renewable and sustainable. Unlike fossil fuels, which are finite resources, the sun is an almost limitless source of energy. As long as the sun shines, we can harness its power for electricity generation. This sustainability ensures a long-term energy solution that does not deplete valuable resources.
4. Preservation of Natural Habitats - Traditional energy sources often require large-scale mining, drilling, and land disruption. Solar panels, on the other hand, can be installed on existing structures like rooftops, minimising the need for additional land use and habitat destruction.
5. Reduced Air and Water Pollution - Solar energy production has a minimal impact on air and water quality compared to conventional power plants. It doesn't release harmful pollutants or require significant water resources for cooling, which helps protect ecosystems and public health.
6. Energy Independence - Solar panels empower individuals and communities to generate their own electricity, reducing their reliance on centralised power grids and large utility companies. This decentralisation contributes to energy security and resilience.
Regular maintenance is essential to ensure your solar panels continue to operate efficiently and provide you with maximum savings over their lifespan. Here's why maintenance matters and some simple tips to keep your solar panels in top condition:
We are committed to helping homeowners get the most out of their solar panel systems. Therefore, we offer a range of resources and guides to assist you in maintaining your solar panels. To learn how to thoroughly maintain your solar panels, we’d recommend checking out the linked guide.
Solar panels are built to last and typically come with a warranty of 25 years. However, their actual lifespan often exceeds this warranty period. In fact, many solar panels continue to produce electricity efficiently for 30 years or more. Regular maintenance can help extend their lifespan even further. For more information about the lifespan of solar panels, we'd recommended the linked guide.
No, solar panels are relatively low-maintenance. Occasional cleaning to remove dirt and debris is usually sufficient. Additionally, it's a good practice to monitor their performance, but most modern systems come with monitoring tools that make this easy.
If a solar panel gets damaged, it's covered by the manufacturer's warranty. Most solar panels have a product warranty of 10-15 years that covers manufacturing defects. Additionally, you can check if your installation comes with a workmanship warranty to address any issues with the installation itself.
At MakeMyHouseGreen, we provide a 5 year Workmanship Warranty in case any issues do crop up - although it’s rare for issues to come up as all our installers are certified and accredited.
No, standard solar panel systems are grid-tied, which means they rely on the grid to function. When the grid goes down, these systems shut off to prevent sending electricity back into the grid, which could be dangerous for utility workers. However, if you want backup power during outages, you can consider adding battery storage to your system.
In the UK, the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) allows homeowners to earn money by selling excess electricity back to the grid. Additionally, the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) was a previous incentive program that paid homeowners for the electricity they generated.
Yes, solar panel systems are modular, which means you can typically expand or upgrade your system in the future. For example, if you initially install a smaller system and want to increase your energy production (and you inverter has the capacity for more panels), you can add more panels. However, if your solar inverter does not have the necessary capacity, it would have to be changed.
Solar panels are recyclable. At the end of their lifespan, they can be disassembled, and the materials, such as glass and aluminium, can be recycled. Additionally, the industry is working on developing more sustainable and recyclable panel technologies.
For more information about solar panels and how they are recycled, we’d recommend the linked guide.
The time it takes to recoup your investment in solar panels, often referred to as the "payback period," depends on various factors, including your location, energy usage, and the cost of your solar panel system. On average, homeowners can expect to recoup their investment in 5 to 10 years. The solar energy estimation tool provided by MakeMyHouseGreen can provide a more accurate estimate based on your specific circumstances.
We encourage you to further explore our resources such as ‘Are Solar Panels Worth It’ and Do smart meters work with solar panels?
If you’re interested in installing solar panels or just want to get a rough idea of whether they would be worthwhile for you, we recommend using our solar energy estimation tool - It’s designed to provide you with personalised insights into the potential benefits of solar panels for your house.
Our solar calculator is 100% free to use. Enter your postcode below to get started.
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