Category: Blog

There are many reasons why homeowners go solar, but improving the environment and cutting energy costs are the most common. Many people are aware that solar is a great home efficiency upgrade and are eager to reduce their carbon footprint while also improving property value. 

This sizable list of solar power benefits will have something for everyone. Here are the top ten reasons why solar energy is good for your home and more popular than ever. 

The most important thing is that solar energy is a renewable energy source. It can be harnessed in all areas of the world and is available every day. We cannot run out of solar energy, unlike some of the other sources of energy. 

Solar energy has the least negative impact on the environment compared to any other energy source. It does not produce greenhouse gases and does not pollute the water.  Solar energy production does not create any noise, which is good, since they are normally installed in urban areas. 

Whether you’re a homeowner, or business electricity costs can make up a large part of your expenses. With a solar panel system, you’ll generate free power for your system’s entire 25+ year lifecycle. Even if you don’t produce 100 percent of the energy you consume, solar will reduce your utility bills. 

Solar panels are one of the best ways to invest, with returns rivalling those of more traditional investments. Thanks to the savings, the average homeowner pays off their solar panel system in less than 10 years. 

One of the clearest cut benefits of solar panels is the ability to decrease utility prices. In the past ten years, residential electricity prices have gone up. By investing, you can fix your electricity rate and protect against unpredictable increases in costs. If you have a fluctuating cash flow, going solar also helps you better manage your expenses. 

As long as there is sunshine, solar energy can be deployed anywhere. This is particularly useful for remote regions with no access to any other source of electricity. There is a vast amount of people around the world with no access to electricity. 

Independent solar systems could be deployed in those regions and improve the lives of millions of people. Moreover, solar energy is also used to power up spacecraft and boats. 

Solar energy systems generally don’t require a lot of maintenance. You only need to keep them relatively clean, so cleaning them a couple of times per year will do the job. 

The grid is less vulnerable to blackouts if there are many power plants that are spread out. A grid with high penetration of solar energy has thousands of energy production centers that are widely spread out. This improves the security of the grid in case of overload, natural or human-caused disasters. 

Technology in the solar power industry is constantly advancing. Innovations will increase the effectiveness of solar panels and the electrical input of the solar power systems. 

Another advantage of solar energy is. A large part of the cost associated with solar systems comes from the installation of the panels. This contributes to local job creation. Using solar systems boosts the economy and positively affects the local community. 

Solar panels are expensive to make and they require qualified installers. They must also be complemented with a reliable power supply. However, the savings achieved are normally higher than their upfront cost. 

Solar power costs are determined by several factors. The most efficient solar panels tend to be the most expensive. Also, consider that the number of solar panels needed increases for larger households. 

Comparing the Costs and Benefits of Solar Panels 

Solar panels may seem more expensive than conventional diesel generators at first look. However, solar panels operate with sunlight, which is a free energy source. They also have much simpler maintenance requirements than other power generation systems. On the other hand, a diesel Genset depends on fuel deliveries to stay operational. Maintenance is also more demanding since the generator is exposed. 

In a few words, solar panels are more expensive than diesel generators at first look. However, when total ownership costs are considered, it tilts in favour of solar power. Since sunlight is free & maintenance is minimal, solar panels can achieve low costs per kilowatt-hour. 

The price of installing solar panels determines how they will perform financially. Getting quotes from several solar companies is strongly recommended. You should also ask for a detailed breakdown of what the solar offer includes. 

Installing Solar Panels as an Investment Decision 

For many homeowners, going solar can be as lucrative as investing in a small business. While solar panels are normally installed to reduce bills, they may bring other benefits. Keep in mind you need reliable information to decide if it is worth installing solar panels. The first step is to contact a qualified solar provider to get a professional assessment. This will give you accurate data on solar system prices and how much you can expect to save. 

The money you save on electricity bills is strongly determined by local conditions: 

Solar panels are more productive in sunny locations. This is because there is more sun, which means they can produce more electricity. 

Solar energy is more valuable in places with expensive electricity. If two solar panel systems have the same energy output, savings will be greater in the location with the highest kWh prices. 

A lesser-known benefit of solar panels is that they increase property value. A building that can produce its own electricity is worth more than a building that depends 100% on the power grid. Also, many states give you a tax exemption for any increase in home value that is due to a solar panel system. In other words, your home is worth more and it has smaller power bills, but your property taxes stay the same! 

Depending on local regulations, it may be possible to make money from your solar panels. Panels are only productive during the day, and most of their energy output occurs around noon. On the other hand, homes consume energy during the day and night. However, you can become a small-scale electricity supplier if you have net metering. 

Net metering allows users who generate their own electricity to export energy back into the grid. If the balance is in your favour then it is subtracted from the electricity consumed from the grid. 

Depending on how large your solar panel system is, it may be possible to bring the power bill down to zero or even. 

Some power companies carry over your balance to the next bill, while others actually pay you in cash. 

Solar panels can be considered a solid investment if you can pay off the investment within a reasonable timeframe. Solar panel manufacturers normally offer several different warranties. However, the payback period can be less than 5 years under favourable conditions. 

Using high-quality products is important to get the best results with solar power. Ideally, a solar panel system should be properly installed and covered by warranties, but it should also offer an attractive return for every dollar spent. 

How Solar Panels Can Pay for Themselves 

For homeowners with access to low-interest loans, it may be possible to go solar with zero net cost. The solar panel installation can be paid with the bank’s money, and then you can use power bill savings to cover the loan. If the annual savings are higher than the loan payments, your solar power system can purchase itself. 

Solar panel systems seem expensive if you only focus on their sales price. However, their operation and maintenance costs are very low and they have a long service life. The upfront cost of solar panels is normally recovered multiple times in the form of power bill savings. 

Our planet revolves around the sun at the optimum conditions that sustain life. The light from the sun contains vast amounts of energy, when it hits an object, it causes heat to be transferred. But with some materials found on Earth, sunlight has another, equally profound effect. 

How a solar cell works 

Take silicon for example. As the sun strikes it, electrons are dislodged which creates an electric current. The amount of electricity produced depends on the purity of the crystal used. 

Solar power is a renewable source of power, meaning it is an unlimited source. The challenge is to find a way of harnessing this power and making it cheaper and more sustainable. 

At the moment, we use large solar panels that incorporate silicon photovoltaic cells. In the future, we may be able to produce cheaper and more carbon-friendly materials that do the job better. 

How Solar Energy Powers Our Homes 

Unless you have been living in a cave for the last twenty years, you’ll know that we need to find greener ways to live. You’ll also have noticed those glass panels on top of roofs where people have solar panels installed. The cells inside a panel create a DC current which is then fed into an inverter that changes it to AC. That can then either be used to power a house, stored in batteries, or passed onto the National Grid. 

Several things influence how much electricity an array of solar panels produces. First, it needs to be at the optimum angle and facing the right way. Secondly, the quality of the cells make a difference and often influence the size of the installation. Finally, the more panels you have and the bigger the array, then the more electricity you will have the potential of producing. 

Solar panels normally have a 25-year lifecycle. 

You can also earn money back by selling the power you generate to the energy companies. 

Solar Energy on a Grand Scale 

It’s not just on roofs that you see solar panels doing their stuff. Over the last few years, solar farms have started to proliferate. Acres of land have been taken up by huge arrays of panels that provide valuable electricity for the grid. Despite recent government cuts, green technologies in the renewable industry are still thriving. This offers a chance to help the environment and make a profit at the same time. 

Solar farms are also being funded in a variety of ways. In some places, communities are coming together to find the money themselves. With other developments companies are willing to take on the investment in exchange for the ROI. As with most large-scale solar farms they have their detractors, mainly from people who think they are an eyesore or believe they are not as efficient as many make out. 

Solar Energy Myths 

Solar panels need a hot, sunny day to work properly. 

Actually, that’s not strictly true. Solar panels work at their best at lower temperatures. That’s why the UK is good for producing electricity from them and they even produce on cloudy days. 

Solar power means an unstable electricity supply. 

Far from it. If you have the right size array for your property you will probably make excess for your needs. Even so, you will still be connected to the grid and any shortfall can be made up from there.  

Solar energy is too expensive. 

Yes, the initial cost of installing solar panels may seem daunting to some but the return is pretty good. You could be making extra money and have paid off your loan within 6 or 7 years.  

Solar panels need a lot of maintenance. 

This is not true. If you’ve had your array installed by a reputable company then your panels should last for the next 20-25 years. 

Solar panels will reduce the value of my house. 

Actually, with people’s awareness growing and an increasing desire to incorporate renewables into our everyday lives, having solar panels may well increase the value of your property. 

The solar sector has welcomed the UK government’s new 31% home carbon emissions reduction target. 

According to Solar Energy UK, this target could lead to a five-fold increase in new homes built with solar technologies. This will help meet reduction targets. Many local Governments have detailed plans to radically improve the energy performance of new homes. It is targeting a 75-80% reduction in carbon emissions compared to current levels by 2025. 

Scientists say that improving the energy performance of buildings will be vital to reaching net-zero by 2050. 

The new standards will not only improve the energy efficiency of existing homes and other buildings. But will also ensure new homes are fit for the future, by reducing emissions from new homes by at least 75%. 

The publication of the Future Homes Standard looks at delivering a 20% reduction in carbon emissions. Fabric standards are targeting a higher reduction by also including carbon-saving technologies. The new standard explores a number of technologies that could help reduce domestic carbon emissions. This supports green gas such as hydrogen and biomethane, as well as mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. 

How the reductions are achieved will largely remain up to the housebuilder. However, it noted that it expects many to opt for solar PV as opposed to low carbon heating solutions. 

As well as these new targets helping to drive down emissions in a particularly challenging sector. With 15% of the UK’s carbon emissions currently coming from residential housing. This will help tackle fuel poverty, reducing bills through efficiency. The document notes that households pay around £379 a year on energy under Buildings Regulations. But following the new standards, a house with a gas boiler and solar panels will pay closer to £168. 

The greater ambition in the Future Homes Standard has been particularly welcomed after research by Solar Energy UK. The Solar Trade Association found in 2019 that over half of local authorities set higher building standards than national requirements. 

Solar Energy UK chief executive Chris Hewett said they were delighted that the government had listened to their call for higher ambitions. 

“Every new home built will require an increase in energy efficiency that could be met by solar. This is a real victory for our industry and an important stepping stone on the way towards a more ambitious future. 

“The home of the future will feature solar panels and a battery. It may well be heated with electricity, have solar-heated water, and an electric vehicle parked outside. It will be well insulated, well built, and cost less to run than today. All the necessary technology exists at a reasonable cost. Housebuilders, let’s get started.” 

Could society do enough to achieve the goals of this landmark? 

To explore the answer to this question we need to go back to the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. We would see that it was built on the back of fossil fuels; first coal and then oil and then natural gas. These provide energy for industrial furnaces, trains, ships, and much more. 

Today, nearly every service uses and every product you buy has fossil fuel somewhere in how it is made. 

Coal requires little technology and offers a great deal of energy. As such, it is a stubborn and persistent part of the high-CO2 energy system. Dealing with it will take determined action by governments to provide competitive alternatives. 

In recent years, renewable energy can be generated efficiently and cost-effectively. Rapid progress with renewable electricity technologies has led some commentators to think about the complete replacement of fossil fuels within the broader energy system. 

But despite more than a century of progress, electricity makes up only 20% of the energy that society uses today.  

But what if we look even further into the future? In theory and sometime in the 22nd century, all energy sources could start their life on a solar panel. 

Electricity could, in theory, be used to make hydrogen via the electrolysis of water and carbon. Combining these could make any hydrocarbon material, from fuels for planes to plastics for consumer goods. Some of these synthetic routes begin to emerge in the second half of the century, but it will take time for these new industries to grow and compete. They don’t exist today, although the chemistry on which they would be built is well understood and used in other ways. 

A century is a long time, but perhaps the minimum period required to see a complete evolution of the energy system. Society may eventually achieve a world where everything is renewable, but it is an unlikely outcome for the 21st century alone. 

Filling up with fuel is easy, charging an electric car, however, seems a bit more complicated.  

The different connectors, compatibility, and variable rates of charge can make it seem like a complex job.  

But electric car charging doesn’t need to be so confusing. So free yourself from the tangled mess of charging cables with this short guide we’ve created to help you understand home electric charging stations.   

How to charge your electric car? 

So, you have brought an electric car. Exciting, isn’t it? But you are getting tired of having to charge your car up at a charging station or at work. The best option for you is to get an EV charging point in your home.  

You can charge using any regular domestic 3 pin socket, but a dedicated home EV charger is the better option by far.  

Dedicated EV home chargers typically deliver around 7kW of power (depending on the product). In contrast, most vehicle manufacturers limit the current drawn from a standard domestic 3 pin socket to 10A or less, which equates to a maximum of 2.3kW.   

A 7kW home charger, therefore, delivers approximately three times as much power and is approximately three times as fast as using a domestic socket. This will mean you won’t have to worry about finding a charging point last minute on a rushed trip out.   

How much does it cost to install an electric car charger at home?  

The typical cost of a home charge point is around £800.  

Under its Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme, OLEV currently offers a grant of up to 75% of this cost, capped at a maximum grant of £350.  

If you own or have primary access to an EV and off-street parking you may be eligible for an OLEV funded grant towards the cost of a home charge point.   

Can I still charge my electric car from an ordinary 3 pin socket?  

Yes, if you have the right lead to do so. However, it is better to use this option as a backup rather than as a regular charging method.  

This is because it usually involves running a 3-pin socket at 2.3kW, which is close to its maximum 3kW power rating, for hours at a time, which puts a lot of strain on a circuit.   

It’ll be slow as well. For example, charging a fairly typical 40kWh EV battery from zero to 100% would take more than 17 hours. That is not enough for a fully charged battery if you leave your car charging overnight.  

Therefore, most EV owners install a dedicated EV home charger which will typically deliver between 3.7 and 7kW of power. This reduces charging times significantly compared to a 3-pin socket.   

If you ever need to use an extension lead to charge an EV, you must ensure that it is rated at 13amps and fully unwound with no knots to prevent overheating and reduce fire hazards.  

We hope that this blog has been useful to you. If you are interested in learning more please consider reading some more of our blogs here.  

Shortened for an easy read  

The Starting ideas of solar power have been around for a long time. From the Romans using the sun to illuminate glass and designs for entertainment to starting fires, we have used the sun as a way to power, albeit primitive but effective, technologies.  

In theory, solar energy was used by humans as early as the 7th century B.C. when history tells us that humans used sunlight to light fires with magnifying glass materials. Later on, around the 3rdcentury B.C., the Greeks and Romans were known to harness solar power with mirrors to light torches for religious ceremonies.  

But the Solar power as we know it started development much closer to us than ancient Rome.   

When were solar panels invented?  

The development of solar panel technology was an iterative one that took a number of contributions from various scientists. Some people credit the invention of the first solar cell to French scientist Edmond Becquerel, who found that light could increase electricity generation when two metal electrodes were placed into a conducting solution. This breakthrough, defined as the “photovoltaic effect,” was influential in later PV developments with the element selenium.  

In 1873, Willoughby Smith discovered that selenium had photoconductive potential, leading to William Grylls Adams’ and Richard Evans Day’s 1876 discovery that selenium creates electricity when exposed to sunlight. A few years later in 1883, Charles Fritts actually produced the first solar cells made from selenium wafers – the reason some historians credit Fritts with the actual invention of solar cells.  

However, solar cells as we know them today are made with silicon, not selenium. Therefore, some consider the true invention of solar panels to be tied to Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson’s creation of the silicon photovoltaic (PV) cell at Bell Labs in 1954. Many argue that this event marks the true invention of PV technology because it was the first instance of solar technology that could actually power an electric device for several hours of a day. The first-ever silicon solar cell could convert sunlight at four percent efficiency, less than a quarter of what modern cells are capable of.  

How are solar panels being used today?  

Today solar panels are being used as an alternate power solution to our previous fossil fuel systems. This can be seen in the increase of houses that have solar panel roofing and the devotion of more land to solar farms. This can power anything from central heating and your car to your kettle and toaster.  

In some cases, we have even seen solar panels be used in space exploration as a way to power vessels for long space voyages. As you look around the streets you are almost guaranteed to find at least one house that has solar panels fitted. Solar panels are becoming  more and more popular every day with 40% of people in the UK saying that they would consider solar power in 2020 compared to 20% in 2019. 

Can you store solar energy? Yes, you can. Excess energy that is created by solar panels is stored in a battery so that if the sunlight is obscured or it becomes dark the solar panels will use the power stored in this battery to keep your property powered.  

All you need is a home battery. The simplest and best way for homeowners to solve solar power’s energy glitch is to install a solar battery–a battery that stores energy from solar panels during the day, so you can still use solar-generated electricity at night.   

Solar batteries are charged each day with electricity generated by solar panels (or, alternately, they can be charged with electricity straight from the grid.) These daylight hours are usually times that households need electricity the least; households are lit with natural light (thanks to the sun… again). During these hours, un-stored electricity generated by solar panels either goes unused or leaks back into the power grid. With a solar battery installed, this energy is waiting to welcome you home to a fully charged house, ready for whatever you have planned for the evening.  

A solar battery will not only increase the efficiency of your solar panels but will also decrease the cost of maintaining them. Solar energy has some well know supporters too. Elon Musk, CEO of TESLA has stated that solar batteries are the only way to maintain the value of your solar panels.  

“Without a home battery, excess solar energy is often sold to the power company and purchased back in the evening at a higher price,” Musk argues “The mismatch adds demand on power plants and increases carbon emissions.”  

If this sounds like a lose-lose situation it’s because it is. Without a solar energy battery, you will be losing a lot of generated energy that will be taken by others and used to produce more carbon emissions. When households have solar energy they can’t use, it goes back into the power grid. often, power companies pay households for giving back the extra power generated by solar, but not as much as they charge for the same amount of electricity later in the day, when people actually need it.  

Without a home battery, solar customers end up paying extra for the electricity they generated themselves, just like paying the power company to store the energy for them so they can use it later. Why should you have to pay for the energy that you created? With a solar battery, you will no longer have to worry about this.