Solar Panel Cost UK
There is no denying that green energy and making your home more environmentally efficient is growing in popularity, and for many reasons. Not just to make your home economical and environmentally friendly but also in terms of the cost benefits in the long term. There are two main things to remember when it comes to solar panels:
- The cost of installation of solar panels has tumbled by almost 70% in the last decade in the UK.
- Solar panels will cut your energy bills dramatically and reduce your carbon footprint overall.
What’s not to like? However, there is still a lot of information that people are unsure about when it comes to solar panels. Making the step to install them can be hard, because the information surrounding solar panels and installation is conflicting and confusing. You may have the very best intentions to be greener, but you may be overcome by your financial concerns overall. There is a lot to take in terms of tariffs, prices, and different models.and the main question you might want answered would be is it worth it to install solar panels? This is what we aim to discuss in this article in more detail. Hopefully giving you a better insight into what they are, the cost of installation of solar panels in the UK, how they are installed and, of course, whether it is worth the initial investment. Let’s hope it gives you a better insight and more knowledge on the subject.
What are solar panels and how do they work?
Solar energy begins with the sun, and the solar panels, also known as PV panels, are used to convert the light from the sun into energy called photons. This is then converted into electricity that can be used to power electrical elements of your home. Solar panels in the home are becoming increasing popular. But some people are still unsure how they work.
Solar panels collect clean renewable energy from the sun and convert the light from it unto electricity. The solar panels themselves are composed of several separate and individual solar cells which are composed of layers of silicon, phosphorus (which is the negative charge) and boron (which is the positive charge). Solar panels absorb the photons, and in doing so create an electrical current. The result is the energy that is then absorbed and created to be used in your home. An average home has more than encouraging space on the roof area for the necessary number of solar panels to produce enough solar electricity to supply all of its power needs. Meaning that it can be an excellent way to power your home by using renewable energy and reducing your carbon footprint.
Solar panels are generally installed on the roof of your property so that they can get the optimum amount of sunlight. However, not everyone has the required amount of roof space but still want the benefits of solar panels, so they can also be installed in the garden. However, the preferred method is to have them installed on the roof.
The benefits of solar panels
Knowing how they work is one thing, but you might be wondering what benefits there are to having solar panels on your property. After all, there is the initial cost of installation and in areas like London, it might be a concern for you. So here are some of the main benefits that may entice you into considering solar panels for your property:
- It provides clean, green, renewable energy to your home – unlike using coal, gas or petrol, the energy that solar panels create is completely clean. Installing a solar panel system can stop up to 1.6 tonnes of carbon from entering the atmosphere every year.
- Reducing your energy bills can be a great plus point – there is no denying that overall solar panels will save you money on your energy bills. Some results have been staggering, but on average, installing a typical 4 kWp solar PV system will save you between £85 and £220 every year. Minimising the cost of your energy bills can give you more freedom financially.
- Takes the worry away – there is no denying that once a solar panel is installed on your property, the main things it will do is provide your home with renewable energy and save you money on those energy bills. With so many ways for us to feel financially dependent on things, with commitments and costs each month, to not have the worry of energy bills can be very freeing.
- It is cheaper than ever to install – with a big reduction of costs over the last decade, it is now even cheaper to install solar panels in the UK and to ensure that you regain the cost of the investment back much quicker.
How much do solar panels cost?
Solar panels are always going to be an investment initially, there is no hiding from that fact. On average, the cost can be anything between £5000 and £10,000 to install solar panels in the UK. It can cost around £350 per panel. There is a variable amount for the total cost of installation and that is because there are a lot of variables to consider. Such as the size of your property, the amount of people in your house and your overall energy usage. This will be calculated properly when you have a quote.
If you have more people in your home and increased amenities, you will use more power, so your solar panel installation cost will rise. No matter the size of your home, though, you should expect to spend at least £5,000 to have solar panels installed on to your home. Below we have outlined an idea of what sort of solar panel system you may install versus the energy usage and the potential cost to give you a better insight. However, getting a quote will be able to give you a more confirmed idea on how much it will cost to install solar panels in London.
Solar panel system Energy use Potential cost
3 kW panel system 2,700 kWh £5,000 – £6,000
4 kW panel system 3,600 kWh £6,000 – £8,000
5 kW panel system 4,320 kWh £7,000 – £9,000
6 kW panel system 5,400 kWh £8,000 – £10,000
Hopefully the above has given you a better insight but the main thing to remember is the bigger the property, high energy use and people in your home, the larger the solar panel system will need to be.
How much can you save?
One of the main questions you may be asking is how much can you save. This can give you a big indication on when you are likely to see a return on your initial investment and start saving money. We have outlined an idea on potential savings, but again this is an average to give you an idea. It will again depend on the amount of energy you use.
Solar panel system Potential saving per year
3 kW system £160
4 kW system £270
5 kW system £320
6 kW system £430
There are some potential big savings to be made on your energy bills, and again these are just an average so it could even be more. While the cost of installing solar panels uk is a lot to consider, it could definitely be worth it. Many people who are looking to have solar panels fitted are planning on staying in their property for a long period of time. By doing so and having this plan, you will get the very best return on the initial investment of solar panels.
How many solar panels will I need?
You might be wondering how many solar panels you will need, and as it depends on the size of your home, the amount of people who live with you and also your current energy usage, it can be difficult to decipher where you stand with it.
Most solar panels produce around 250W every four hours of full sunlight. So how does this all play out reality?
A 3kW PV system will be sufficient for roughly three residents, according to average energy consumption. Using this formula, a system of this size would use about 12 panels on average. A more common size for homes in the UK and London is 4kW, which can provide for three to four residents. If you use the same formula, a 4kW system would need an average of 16 solar panels.
In conclusion, is it worth it to install solar panels?
With the general solar panel installation cost in the UK being the most reasonable, and the potential savings for having them installed, it is certainly a worthwhile investment to consider. However, it is worth remembering that you are likely to see the potential savings if you plan on staying in your property as a long term plan.
Here at Compare Quotes Guru, It is important for us to help you find an installer that you feel comfortable with, and that can answer any question you may have. We know that finding the right contractor might mean investing a lot of time to do research. So we ensure to make this process simpler for you, by providing you with up to 3 quotes from different installers in your area.