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Installing solar panels is not the easy decision it used to be, since the government subsidy has now been cut by 70%.
But they are far from a total write off. In this article I’ll show you exactly how much you can expect to make, and give you real-wold examples of installation quotes for both domestic and commercial panels.
…Plus, we have a trusted network of suppliers, where you can compare price quotes with no obligation when you are ready.
You can skip to any part of the article here if your pressed for time:
How much you can save with solar panels?
How much do solar panels cost?
How you will help the environment?
How you can beat rising fuel costs?
What planning permission is required?
How does the feed-in tariff work?
So what’s the bottom line?
You Can Still Make Money And Save On Energy Bills With Solar.
…But Not As Much as Last Year
A typical install will currently cost you around £5-8,000, down from £8-12,500 a few years back. So even with declining government feed-in rates, the actual return on investment is pretty good thanks to an ample supply of panels, thus reducing increasing competition and lowering prices. Most experts predict that even without the FIT rates, costs will drop enough to achieve grid parity (same or lower costs than grid power) for solar within the next few years.
| Roof space | System size | Cost range | Annual output | Co2 saved (tonnes) | First year return | Profit over 20 years |
| 8 sqm | 1kw | 2,000-3,200 | 850kWh | 10 | £130 | £100 |
| 14 sqm | 2kw | 3,200-4,500 | 1,700kWh | 20 | £222 | £562 |
| 21 sqm | 3kw | 3,700-6,300 | 2,550kWh | 30 | £316 | £1,320 |
| 28 sqm | 4kw | 5,500-8,100 | 3,400kWh | 40 | £404 | £2,080 |
Will solar be worth it for you?
Click below and fill in the fast form to find out!
Is it possible to finance to the cost?
Another government scheme called green deal can be used to secure loans for up to 45 different green products, including solar panels.
It can be a complicated process to apply for, but a reputable installer will be able to help you get the highest amount of finance.
You can sleep easier knowing your helping the environment
Environmental change is one of the most pressing issues of our generation. Ice caps are melting, seas are warming and a great deal of this is down to burning fossil fuels. Installing solar panels on your roof is a great way to do your bit for the environment, the next generation will thank you for it.
You can beat rising fuel costs
The costs of traditional power are only going to keep rising, but by installing solar panels can insulate your self from these rising costs. How good will it feel to know that no matter how crazy oil and gas prices rise, your always going to have a clean source of electricity you can use to power your home, and an electric vehicle if necessary.
Solar panels are easy to finance and install
So you have decided solar panels maybe a good option for you? The next step is to get some quotes and find out about the requirements to fit the panels, and finance the cost of installation. You will need a qualified surveyor to visit your property to ensure your quote is accurate, but many companies we deal with provide this for free and can help you arrange finance if the install cost is out of your range.
How can expertsure.com help you?
After you submit a request for quotes here, one of our trained professionals will manually search the market to find you the top 4 suppliers based on your needs.
Every supplier in our network has been manually qualified and must meet exacting standards, so by using our service you are giving your self the best chance of finding a reputable and certified company.
Click and fill in our RFQ here to compare quotes free.
Would you benefit from solar panels?
Answer a few simple questions and find out!
Do you need planning permission?
In most cases you won’t need planning permission to install solar panels on your roof. The main caveats are that as long as the building isn’t listed, or you want to install them on a block of flats then generally you’ll not require permission, however a qualified installer that visits your property will give you a final assessment.
How does the feed in tariff work?
The government backed feed in tariff scheme let’s you generate energy from installed solar panel systems, and sell any surplus you don’t use back to the energy grid. They pay you a fixed fee per KWH (kilowatts per hour), letting you earn great profits over the life of the panels. This also negates the need to store excess energy in expensive batteries. The rate you get is dependent on the date you install your panels, and is constantly being re-adjusted based on the cost of systems. As the price of panels goes down, so does the rate paid. It’s always better to get in sooner, rather than later, so don’t waste any time and compare quotes here today!
Do you need a south facing roof?
Yes and no. A south facing roof will usually give you greater returns, but a south-west or even west facing roof could still make solar panels a great investment. If you have a standard two sided roof, one side will always face one of these directions as shown in this illustration.
Your roof should be mostly free from shade during 10am – 4pm for the maximum return on investment, some light shade is usually acceptable.
Does my location effect payments and ROI?
If you live in the south then you can expect higher payments than further north. However, even with cloud cover all of the UK is capable of proving amble sunlight to give good returns, and electricity generation year round.
Do you need an energy rating certificate?
If you want to install solar panels, you will first need an energy certificate with ideally a D rating or above to qualify for the full FIT payment. You can still get around 50% of the full payment with lower than a D rating, so it may be worth trying to increase your homes efficiency before installing the panels.
A energy rating certificate runs from A though to G, with A being the most efficient. All of our trusted providers will be able to prove you with an energy rating certificate, usually included in the cost and final quote.
Having a more efficient home will greatly save on your energy bills all year round, so it’s always a great and green investment.
Will solar panels effect your buildings value?
Solar panels can increase or decrease the value of your home, and expert advise from a local estate agent is usually best. If your buyer is eco conscious clearly this will be a big draw for them, and fortunately the collective consciousness seems to be far more environmentally aware than even 5 years ago. If you looking to sell your house with in a few years, speak to an estate agent first.
How much maintenance is required?
Most solar installers will offer you 20 or 25 year guarantees and even so, most installs are very low maintenance. You will need a new inverter after about 20 years of use, a relevantly small £800 replacement cost. Apart for that, your array of panels should look after them self’s. Ensure your chosen installer offers no quibble guarantee.
Pro tip: National suppliers are less likely to go out of business, so if the worst happens and you need a panel or even system replaced, they should still be around to make good on their promise.
Pro tip 2: Pay using a credit card, all purchases over £100 are protected by law. So if the worst does happen, and your chosen supplier goes out of business then you can take the matter up with the credit card provider. They are required to offer protection in such situations, by law (section 75).
What about free solar panels?
They say there is no such thing as a free lunch, but does this apply to solar panels? While there are free options available, the company installing and paying for them will keep the feed-in tariff payments (the bulk of the benefits).
The company in return offers you some or all of the energy saving potential. Savings range from £150-£300 per year, with no investment and no cash return.
Be aware that it won’t be possible for you to buy your way out of the contract, and will transfer with the sale if you decide to sell.
