The appearance that solar photovoltaic (PV) panels spread across UK roofs is an increasingly and more regular view, but are these panels worth the investment?
We’ve listed the top advantages of solar panels in order to determine if it’s most suitable renewable technology for you.
Are solar panels worth it?
There’s never been a more perfect time to get into solar power. Here are the top 7 solar panel benefits , and how you can get the most price on your solar panel installation.
1. Save money by paying less electric bill
When you produce your own energy at no cost, you’ll need to purchase less energy from your supplier and you will save money. The more energy you produce, the less you have to worry about increasing costs for energy.
Many homes can cut down their electric bills by up to 40-50 percent!
Yes, solar panels can still generate energy throughout cold winter months and during cloudy days. They are, however, more efficient in summer.
2. Maximise Savings with a solar battery
A solar battery added in your solar system will boost your electricity savings more.
If your system produces more energy than it’s using, it will transmit it back in the Grid. If you have solar batteries in your system, it can conserve this energy. This means you’ll get unlimited energy when the sun doesn’t shine, which means you’ll pay less on energy costs.
3. Lower carbon emissions
Solar panels don’t generate carbon emissions when they’re working which means they can drastically reduce the impact of your home’s energy use on the planet.
If electricity produced in the standard way is made by burning fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal, it produces greenhouse gases, which can be harmful to the planet So the more electricity we can produce using renewable sources the better for everyone.
If that wasn’t enough incentive If that wasn’t enough, soon all fossil fuels are going to eventually run out (some studies indicate that it could happen as soon as 30-60 years from now). The sun, however, is a constant supply of power.
If we could harness it, the sun would generate enough energy enough to power the entire planet for a whole year!
4. Electric car charging with free energy
It is also possible to use the solar energy you get for free to power your electric vehicle that will also reduce the carbon emissions of your car and help you save money on the cost of fuel. In terms of solar panel benefits it’s a big one!
A small electric car produces approximately fifteen tonnes of carbon dioxide from the construction phase until scrapping, in comparison to 32 tonnes in a diesel or petrol car. The expense of charging your vehicle using electricity will also save money when compared to refilling using diesel or petrol.
The solar PV system you install require a sufficient amount of kWh to supply power for your car and home. We suggest that you speak with expert solar installers Milton Keynes to determine the most suitable solution.
5. There are no running costs, minimal maintenance, and long lasting
Once your solar panels are installed, there’s no expenses to consider. Sometimes, you’ll need to have the solar panel cleaned so that they’re receiving as much sun as they can. If there are trees growing in your backyard, it’s important to ensure that they’re not blocking your panels. In addition it’s not necessary to do another maintenance task.
Most solar panels available on the market today are protected by a 20-25 years manufacturer’s warranty , so if something technical should go wrong and you’re worried, you’ll be able to rest with the knowledge that it will be fixed for free.
It is important to note that your solar PV system will have an inverter. This is the device which converts solar energy into electricity that can be utilized in your home. Inverters are usually covered by a guarantee of 5 to 10 years. This means that you’ll likely need to replace it at some point in the lifespan of your system.
6. Technology for solar is now more effective than ever before
Nowadays, the majority of solar panels (in residential installations) achieve efficiency at 14-20% however this could rise to 22% in the most efficient manufacturers working at their highest efficiency. The effectiveness of solar panels can be affected if they’re situated or angled improperly. To get the most energy savings, the panels must be placed on a roof facing south at an angle between 30-45 degrees.
Of course, the diverse character of British weather makes it difficult to know how much sun we’ll get and the amount of energy that solar panels will produce. Solar panels do not require direct sunlight to be effective, but they must be professionally installed and in the right spot and at the proper position towards the sun. When your roofing is surrounded by buildings or trees, this can reduce the efficiency of the panels.
7. Installation is less expensive than ever
The advancements of solar technologies, an increase in demand and a larger market have meant that the cost of solar panel installation has dropped substantially; it’s now 50% less expensive to set up an solar system than it was eight years ago.
The types of solar panels
Solar PV
Solar panels are big frames that are generally placed on the roof. They create energy for your home with solar energy. The most commonly used kinds of solar panels are polycrystalline or monocrystalline however you can also locate thin-film solar panels.
Monocrystalline panels are constructed from monocrystalline silicon crystals. They typically are black in color and tend to be the highest efficient solar PV panel.
Polycrystalline panels are made up of various silicon crystals that are combined and display an appearance of blue.
The thin film solar panel is new to the market . They comprise a tiny layer of silicon, which makes the panels smaller and more flexible, as well as more efficient in low light. They tend to be less expensive than crystalline panels , however they are not as reliable or well-tested.
Solar PV Tiles as alternative to installing solar panels onto the roof of your home it is today possible to set up solar PV tile. They make use of the same technology used in conventional solar panels, however they are specifically designed to blend with the structure of your home, making them part of your roof.
Solar Thermal
Panels that use solar energy are like solar PV panels, however instead of creating electricity for your home, they make use of the solar energy to heat your water.
The right choice of solar panels to fit your house isn’t something to be attempted without expert advice. We suggest you look at the opinions and estimates of three various MCS approved (or comparable) installers to determine the most effective solution for your budget.