If you’re sick of watching your electricity bills climb every month, you’re not alone. Solar panels might be the answer you’ve been looking for – they turn sunlight into electricity for your home, which means less money going to your energy company each month.
Here’s what’s encouraging: even with Britain’s famously grey weather, most households with solar see their energy bills drop by half or more. The Energy Saving Trust reckons you could save anywhere from £270 to £750 a year, depending on your setup.
Why your bills keep going up (and how solar helps)
Energy companies love hitting us with price rises – electricity’s now around 30p per unit and shows no sign of coming down. Once you’ve got solar panels though, you’re generating your own power for basically pennies.
Think of it this way: every sunny hour means free electricity instead of paying through the nose to the energy giants. Plus, if you make more than you use, you can actually sell it back to them through something called the Smart Export Guarantee. Some suppliers pay up to 15p per unit – not bad for something that was just sitting on your roof anyway.
What you’re looking at cost-wise
Right, let’s talk money because that’s what everyone wants to know. A decent system for an average family home runs about £5,000 to £7,000 all in. Sounds like a lot upfront, but hear me out.
That same system typically saves you £500-600 every year on bills. Do the maths – you’re looking at getting your money back in about 8-10 years, then it’s basically free electricity for another 15+ years after that.
Smaller homes might only need £4,000-6,000 worth, while big houses with teenagers leaving every light on might want to spend closer to £10,000 for more panels.
The government’s actually helping out too – no VAT on home installations anymore, which knocks 20% off straight away.
But does this stuff actually work in rainy Britain?
Fair question. The short answer is yes, better than you’d think. Modern panels don’t need blazing sunshine – they work perfectly well on bright but cloudy days, and even generate some power when it’s properly overcast.
Obviously, you’ll get more juice in summer than winter, and if you live in Cornwall you’ll do better than someone in Aberdeen. But the difference isn’t massive – we’re talking maybe 15-20% less in the north.
Your roof matters more than your location, really. South-facing is ideal, but east or west works fine too. Avoid north-facing if possible, and check you haven’t got massive trees casting shadows all day.
The admin side of things
Most people don’t need planning permission – it usually comes under permitted development. There are a few exceptions if you live in a listed building or conservation area, but even then it’s often just a matter of asking nicely.
Maintenance is refreshingly simple. Give them a visual once-over each year, maybe hose them down if they’re looking grimy (though rain usually does the job). Every decade or so you might need an electrician to check the wiring, but that’s about it.
Finding someone trustworthy to install them
This bit’s crucial because there are some proper cowboys out there. Always, always use an MCS-certified installer – that’s the gold standard and you won’t get the government incentives without it.
Get quotes from at least three different companies, and don’t be swayed by the cheapest or the most expensive. Ask to see recent work they’ve done nearby, and check they’ve got proper insurance.
Red flags: anyone knocking on your door uninvited, quotes that seem too good to be true, or pressure to sign up immediately. Good installers are happy to give you time to think it over.
Is it actually worth doing?
For most people with a decent roof and normal energy bills, absolutely. You’re looking at roughly 10% returns year on year, which beats most savings accounts hands down. Your house value goes up a bit too.
But it’s not just about money – there’s something quite satisfying about generating your own power and giving less cash to energy companies. Plus your carbon footprint shrinks considerably.
Obviously, if your roof’s tiny, north-facing, or covered in shade all day, the numbers might not add up. Same if you’re planning to move house in the next few years.
Getting the ball rolling
Start by looking at a year’s worth of energy bills to see how much electricity you actually use. Then get some quotes from proper installers who can assess your roof and crunch the numbers for your specific situation.
Most companies offer finance deals if you don’t fancy paying cash upfront, though you’ll get better returns if you can manage it.
The whole process from decision to switch-on usually takes 6-8 weeks, most of which is waiting around for paperwork and scheduling. The actual installation’s normally done in a day or two.
Bottom line: if you’ve got a suitable roof and you’re planning to stay put for a while, solar’s probably one of the better investments you can make right now.
Want to see what it might cost for your place? Try our calculator or read about what’s involved in the installation process.