News feeds in the UK are full of stories about the cost of living crisis, with a particular focus on rapidly rising energy prices. While the UK government has announced plans to support most households with bills, many homeowners are considering installing solar panels to beat the increasing cost and reduce their carbon footprint at the same time.
Fortunately, the cost of solar panels has dropped dramatically over the past decade, and technology is constantly improving. Manufacturers have been looking for ways to make smaller, more efficient panels to make them a more attractive investment. And - due in part to the previously mentioned skyrocketing energy prices - the time it takes for solar panel systems to break even is getting shorter, with some systems paying for themselves in about five to seven years.
Why invest in solar panel uk?
There are many benefits to investing in solar panels, including:
1. Reduce electricity bills
Solar panels may not produce enough electricity to power your entire home, but they will reduce it significantly, often by as much as half. Even heavy users or those with smaller roofs will see their bills reduced significantly.
2. Reduce C02 emissions
Solar energy is a clean alternative to fossil fuels, and by installing solar panels, you can lower your carbon footprint.
3. Low maintenance cost
Solar panels are cheap and easy to maintain, often requiring only an occasional quick cleaning with a hose.
What is the price of solar panels?
The total price of a solar panel system will vary depending on the size of your roof, your location, the number of panels needed to meet your energy needs, and many other factors. Does your roof face south? Is your house multistory or partially covered by a shade? There are many variables that can make a system easy to assemble or very complex.
If your home is further south, then expect those savings to be higher, further north, and lower.
Other external factors such as supply chain, local availability, government incentives and local electricity prices will also affect the cost of solar panels. How much you get out of your system also depends on these factors and whether you are funding your solar system or paying cash. By paying cash, you spend less per watt of energy generated because you don't have to pay broker fees. When investing in one of the more expensive solar panel systems, this can make a real difference.
Your local installer can provide you with a free quote for a custom system, but for a ballpark figure, a solar panel system supporting an average family of three will cost around £6,000.
