Are Solar Panels Worth the Money
Solar panels are becoming an increasingly popular installation for homeowners nationwide. With energy bills increasing year on year, many people are looking to renewable energy as a way to save money.
Companies such as Panelit Solar UK are seeing a huge increase in both inquiries and purchases as orders are made for solar roof panels. Solar panels are not a new way to save money on energy bills; however, they have not always been the most popular way to reduce costs.
There are a number of reasons why some people have hesitated over solar panels in the past. The main reasons are the initial costs compared to the savings that can be made and the upheaval of the installation process.
What Are Solar Panels?
Solar panels are devices that are attached to your existing roof to harness the solar power emitted by the sun and convert it into usable energy for your home. This is achieved with the addition of a converter that is installed below the panels in the loft space of the building.
If there is no loft in the building, the converter will be installed on the underside of the roof in a safe space. The installation company will assess the building and roof before you purchase to ensure that it is possible to install the solar panels.
The converter does exactly as it sounds and converts the solar power into electricity that is recognised by the electricity grid and the appliances you own. In addition to the panels and converter, you can also install a battery.
The battery stores any electricity that you generate that you do not use each day and is essentially charged up to be used on days when you use more energy than the amount of solar power you have collected. Not every home with solar panels will install a battery and will use a combination of energy generated and energy from the grid.
The installation of a battery will increase the initial cost of the solar panel installation; however, the stored energy within the battery will mean that more of the power used within your home will be solar generated. So, even on days when you have a low collection of solar power, you will be able to use the stored power within the battery.
The ability to use the stored power will make the solar panels you have installed more cost-effective. After the initial outlay of the payment for installation, you will be able to use more solar power than without a battery.
Cost Versus Saving
Many people have been put off the idea of having solar panels installed due to the price and the amount of solar power the panels will generate. A common misconception is that you must live somewhere that is sunny most of the year to be able to generate solar power.
It is incorrect that the sun must be shining in order to generate solar power. In all areas of the UK, solar power is generated, and so can be harnessed and used via solar panels to power a home.
When solar panels were first available to be bought by homeowners, it is true that many people found they would not be cost-effective due to how little power they would actually collect. The amount of power that is collected via early-model solar panels is not enough to power a home regularly.
As with all technology, solar panels, converters, and batteries have improved significantly in recent years. The improvement in technology means that the solar panels are more sensitive, and so they will collect more energy to go through the converter.
The improved converters ensure there is more energy converted and generated into usable electricity within your home. The batteries can now store more energy than previous models, which means that more energy within your home can be solar generated to use less from the electricity company.
Due to the improvements in technology, the price of solar panels has also increased over the years. Depending on where you live, there may be grants available to reduce the cost, or some companies will allow you to pay for the cost of solar panels in instalments.
The cost of solar panels is something that has made many people wary of buying them, as they cost thousands of dollars for installation. However, with the money that you can save on your energy bills, they will pay for themselves.
When pricing the cost of solar panels, the company you are purchasing from should be able to provide you with a cost analysis and breakdown. The breakdown will show the potential cost savings each year from installation, which will enable you to see how quickly the panels pay for themselves.
If you can save as much or more each year as how much they are costing to install, they will be paying for themselves immediately.
Your Energy Company
You will need to inform your energy company that you are installing solar panels, as they will need to adjust the energy plan you are on. With the adjusted energy plan, you should begin to see the savings in your energy bills immediately.
Some energy companies will enable you to save even more money on your energy bills by allowing you to sell electricity to them for a reduction in your bill. Selling electricity back to your energy company can save you a considerable amount of money each year.
The sale of energy back to the energy company is best if you have a battery installed, as you can sell the stored energy and still have everything you are generating each day. The amount you can sell and how much you will receive deducted from your bill will depend on the energy company.
If the company you are with does not allow you to sell back to them, it may be worth checking other companies that supply your area to see if they allow this.
