The popularity of solar panels is growing exponentially – over one million rooftops across the UK are now covered with solar panels. The sun is driving a shift towards green energy, and your home can definitely contribute to the cause.
However, how can solar energy help you? Let’s talk about the major advantages and disadvantages of changing towards solar power.
Benefits of solar panels
Save energy costs by reducing your bills.
The power of solar-generated electricity can cut a huge amount off your monthly electricity costs. On average the cost of a 3.5 Kilowatt (kW) solar panels will cost you £7,860. However, it’s likely to save you about £608 every year, depending the location you’re on the UK.
The savings on your energy bill will be based on two aspects:
How much electricity do the solar panels generate – To boost the amount of solar-generated power, you can purchase high-efficiency solar panels or install more panels on your roof
How much electricity is actually used – You can buy a solar-powered battery for storing the energy generated by your panels during the day 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.
In the majority of homes in the 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 available.
The SEG requires accredited electricity suppliers to offer rates to low-carbon, small-scale generators. e.g. houses that have solar panels. The solar energy that isn’t utilized is returned towards National Grid. National Grid, and the family is compensated for it.
Shrink your carbon footprint
The main motive solar panels Cheshire can be so beneficial for the environment comes down to their carbon-burning technology. In fact, the typical household solar system that is installed across the UK will save around 1.3 to 1.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide that enters into the atmosphere every year.
In the noise of “climate emergency” klaxons it’s time to get rid of those dingy fossil fuels.
Take note of the silence
These silicon-soaked sheets can be very effective in generating power but they don’t want to talk about it.
Because it doesn’t contain any moveable elements 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 shackled to the grid? Solar panels could be an answer. The more energy you create 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) by adding one or two solar batteries can provide you with a genuine self-sufficiency. It allows you to keep any excess energy in reserve to use on a rainy day (or cloudy day or night actually).
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
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 batteries that store solar energy. There are many models of solar batteries that are similar to LEGO bricks in the sense that they are able to be put together in towers or arranged in a row.
Maintain your home in a low-maintenance state.
Solar panels are incredibly independent, which means they aren’t dependent on monitoring 24/7.
To make the most from your panel, you must to ensure that they are clean and free of obstructions. Since the panels’ smooth surfaces are set 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 warranties of 25 years and can be used for up to 40 years, so they’ll be in your home for the duration of time.
Look into financial support
The cost of these expensive products can strain your wallet 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 export and return to grid
It is the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is for homeowners who wish at investing in solar-powered panels. It RHI helps homeowners invest in renewable heating technology by assisting them in paying for it, by making 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 way to warm your home.
There are two kinds of solar energy you can use at home such as solar thermal, and solar PV. The solar PV panels suck up sun’s rays and transform it into electricity. On the other hand, solar thermal panels convert sun’s energy into heat that can be used 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 the solar panel is becoming more affordable.
The cost of solar panels has decreased by approximately 70% in the last decade, and the trend will continue to increase as solar power becomes more popular. If you’re looking for the complete information, read our complete guide on solar panel costs.
They’re influenced by the weather
This is a no-brainer however solar panels perform more efficiently during the bright summer months, rather than winter’s dark, gloomy days. If the sky is clean and sun shines down on your roof solar panels, they are the most efficient.
If there’s one thing that Brits can have in common, it’s the fact 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 the solar panels will cease working completely.
In reality sunlight isn’t an vital component in solar power, but it does help. All solar panels require is sunlight.
They need the correct roof
The ideal roof will be looking southwards, at a 30-45 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 roof isn’t meeting the required criteria it could be a challenge to put up a reliable solar panel system.
There’s plenty that you could do in order to improve the conditions on your roof, for example purchasing solar panels with high efficiency (if you’re in a tight space) or cutting down trees (to minimize shading) and utilizing tilted racks (to ensure that your panels are perfectly angled).
They consume a significant amount of space
Solar panels are quite large parts of equipment, with an average of approximately 2 m2 per panel. And the greater the amount of electricity you wish to produce, the more panels you’ll have to set up. The bigger the roof the better.
If you’re having a hard time finding space and need to make a decision, consider top-quality, high-efficiency models. While they are more costly there are a few high-efficiency panels can perform the same thing in the same way as conventional panels.
They are contaminated with toxic substances.
Like many electronic products solar panels are made up of compounds that could be toxic in the event that they are released into the air. This is why it’s important to purchase from reliable manufacturers and to ensure that when they reach the expiration date of their lifespan (which could be as long as 40 years) they are properly recycled.
A study released in Nature Energy showed that the global environmental impact of constructing solar panels is largely offset in the positive environmental impact associated with making use of the panels. The 4% power generated by solar panels will be offset by energy needed to build it, which makes solar energy one of the most sustainable renewable energy sources.
It is expensive to transport
As a trusted companion The panels you have installed will be around for the long haul. If you’re thinking of adding solar panels to your house, ensure that you’re committed to living in the property for a long period of time.
They are heavy items of equipment, and they’ll be costly to transport from one place to another location – not forgetting the expense of getting them replaced.
Long-term return on investment (ROI)
We came up with the figure that, by 2023, it’ll require the homeowners 12.9 years to reach a point where they’ve made a profit on their solar panels with savings approximately 54% off electric costs.
Although it’s a long way off the ROI is higher than what it was in the past.
What’s is next?
Solar power is a great option that offers advantages that are far more beneficial than the disadvantages. Even though the initial investment is quite a bit however, you will be looking at living in a house that is decorated with sparkling solar panels, slashing your expenses year-on-year and 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 that had solar panels.
Do you find it appealing? Contact our experts now…