Updated 2025 Guide on Installing Solar Panels in UK Homes
Maximising Solar Savings in the UK: A Comprehensive Guide
Solar energy is becoming increasingly popular in the UK, with nearly 12,000 solar panels being installed each month. This renewable energy source not only reduces carbon emissions but also offers significant savings for homeowners. Here's a guide to help you navigate the world of solar panels in the UK.
Choosing the Right Solar Panels
The first step in installing solar panels is to identify your current energy consumption and decide on how much of your electricity bills you want to cover with solar panel usage. The most common types of solar panels for residential homes in the UK are monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film.
Monocrystalline panels are the most efficient type, with efficiencies starting at around 16% and reaching over 24%. They are a bit more expensive, costing roughly £1.00–£1.50 per watt. Polycrystalline panels are slightly less efficient, with efficiency ranges typically between 15% and 17%, and cost about £0.90 to £1.00 per watt. Thin-film panels are less common due to lower efficiencies (10% to 13%) but have a lower cost range (£0.40 to £0.80 per watt).
For UK residential installations, monocrystalline panels are the preferred choice due to their higher efficiencies and better long-term performance.
Sizing Your Solar Panel System
A 2-3 bedroom home in the UK will require a 4-5kW system with 10-13 panels at 400W or 8-10 panels at 450W. Each region in the UK has varying degrees of sunlight, so it's essential to calculate your energy consumption as accurately as possible to determine the right size for your solar panel system.
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
The SEG allows homeowners to receive payments for selling surplus energy back to the grid, potentially increasing solar savings by up to £900 annually.
Cost and Savings
The average domestic 4kW solar panel system in the UK can range between £5,000 - £6,000, depending on the type of panels and manufacturer. However, the savings can be substantial. A typical 3-bedroom house can achieve savings of £18,250 over 25 years while staying energy-independent.
Installation Process
The domestic solar panel installation process can take 1 to 2 days to complete with 2 installers. Labour costs for installing solar panels usually come between £600 - £1,000.
Trenching and Wiring
Trenching can be necessary for many homes that lack the appropriate wiring infrastructure, and it can increase the overall installation cost. Solar panels can be installed on sheds or garages, but the wiring attached to your home may increase the overall installation cost.
Finding the Best Installers
Trying to find the best solar panel installers in your area can take hours of unwanted hassle. Rather than doing it alone, let us connect you with up to 4 local installers for free! Contacting several solar installers can take hours and be very stressful when done alone, but GreenMatch can simplify the process for you.
ECO4 Scheme
The ECO4 scheme permits low-income households the opportunity to replace their inefficient heating system with a more efficient and environmentally friendly system, potentially paying for the full cost of solar panels based on recommendations by a professional.
Solar Panels and the UK Weather
Contrary to popular belief, solar panels work perfectly fine in UK weather, including the winter. While sunlight hours vary across the year, a system of the right size can compensate by overproducing during the summer months. Solar panel efficiency is higher on sunny days, but solar panels do not need direct sunlight to work, as they can also produce a considerable amount of electricity on cloudy days and during the winter season.
The Future of Solar Panels
It is worth noting that solar panel efficiency is likely to increase even more due to advances in technology, but the panels will never be 100% efficient. The power of solar panels is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). To find the average energy output, add the minimum figure and the average figure. To find the maximum output, add all three together.
In summary, solar panels offer significant savings and environmental benefits for UK homeowners. By choosing the right type of solar panels, sizing your system correctly, and finding the best installers, you can maximise your solar savings and contribute to a greener future.
- The average domestic 4kW solar panel system in the UK can potentially yield savings of up to £900 annually with the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), while also contributing to renewable-energy and a greener future within the solar industry.
- Investing in solar panels is a promising venture in the UK as the financing for low-income households is available through schemes like the ECO4 scheme, allowing them to replace their inefficient heating systems with more efficient and environmentally-friendly alternatives, potentially covering the full cost of the solar panels.
