When we think about our homes, we’re often thinking about how we can make them a little bit cosier, a little bit more comfortable, and a little bit more affordable to run. The great thing is that these ideas don't have to be at odds with each other. In fact, a simple, elegant solution for all three is quite literally right above our heads.
We're talking about the sun. And with a helping hand from some smart technology, it can do a lot more for us than just make our patios feel a bit warmer. The idea is simple: sunlight in, electricity out. You get a bit more control over your bills, and you can even earn money by exporting what you don’t use. But is it right for everyone? Let’s dig in together.
Are solar panels for my home right for me?
Every home’s different. That’s why the first step in deciding if solar panels for your home make sense, is looking at your roof. A south-facing roof usually works best, but east and west can still pull their weight. Shaded spots from trees or tall buildings can cut into how much solar energy you’ll generate, so that’s worth checking too, as you might need panels built with shade in mind.
There’s also size to think about, and the journey starts with a curious question: “Is my roof suitable?”. Bigger roofs can take more panels, which means more potential power. Smaller roofs? Still an option, but you just might generate less.
The good news is that home solar installation has become much more flexible. Panels are slimmer, lighter, and work better in everyday UK daylight than they used to. And while solar panels for home won’t completely remove the need for grid electricity, they’ll reduce your reliance.
How solar panels for homes are installed.
You might be picturing a messy building site, but we can promise you it’s nothing like that. The installation of solar panels for home is a surprisingly simple and swift process, and designed to be as non-disruptive as possible.
Our expert team of certified solar installers will take care of everything, from the initial survey to the final switch-on, and the whole thing can often be wrapped up in a day or two, depending on roof size.
Your solar panel installation journey.
Survey. An expert visits your home, checks your roof, and confirms what’s possible.
Design. A tailored plan is made for your home. There’s no one-size-fits-all here.
Installation. Scaffolding goes up, panels are fixed into place, and the system is wired in.
Switch on. Once checked and approved, your home solar installation is ready to start generating.
How solar panels are installed.
See how solar panels and battery storage are installed with our customer and colleague, Brian who shares his home installation journey.
Get paid for the energy your home solar panels generate.
Here’s where the solar benefits really shine. Once your solar panels for home are soaking up the sun, you'll likely generate more electricity than you use during the day. So, what happens to the excess?
It's exported back to the national grid for others to use. And you get paid for it! This is all thanks to a government-backed scheme called the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
The SEG means that every licensed energy supplier in the UK has to offer a tariff to pay you for the energy you export. The good news is, we offer some of the most competitive rates around.
Here’s a quick look at how you can get paid for the extra energy from your home solar panels:
Next Export Exclusive: This tariff gives you up to 16.5p per kWh for every unit of electricity you export back to the grid. It’s available exclusively to our E.ON Next energy customers, giving you a really great reward for doing your bit.
Next Export Premium v2: If you have a solar panel system installed by us, with an accompanying battery, you can get an even higher rate of up to 21p per kWh for your exported power.
So you get to reduce your own bills and earn money back while helping to power the country with clean, renewable energy. It’s what we call a sunny side up solution!
Get paid for exporting energyDo solar panels work at night?
This is a question we hear a lot. It’s simple really: when the sun goes down, the solar panels on your home take a break, and your home switches back to using grid electricity. But that doesn’t mean your clean energy journey has to. This is where solar battery storage for your home comes into its own.
Instead of sending all your excess energy back to the grid during the day, a battery stores it. Then, at night, you can use the energy you generated earlier to power your home. This means you’re even more energy independent and you're buying less from the grid, even after dark.
A battery system works in tandem with your home solar panel system to maximise your savings and give you greater control. It's the perfect nightcap to your daytime solar power, ensuring you're getting the most out of every single ray of sunlight.
So how do you get solar panels for your home?
If you’re thinking about it, the process is pretty straightforward.
We offer tailored solar packages for your home, with flexible finance options if you’d rather spread the cost. Our team takes care of the surveys, design, and installation. We’ll also help with the paperwork for your SEG tariff so you can start earning for the energy you export.
It’s also worth knowing about government support. Right now, solar panels for your home have 0% VAT until March 2027. This means you don't have to pay VAT on the installation, making it a solid saving compared to other home improvements.
For homeowners considering a more sustainable and financially savvy way to power their homes, understanding the available support is key. One of the best places to start is by looking into the grants and schemes designed to make the switch to solar energy more accessible. To get all the details on the latest government initiatives and available grants, check out our comprehensive guide to solar panel grants and schemes.
For households on lower incomes, other schemes like ECO4 or the Warm Homes Plan may help with wider energy efficiency upgrades. These don’t usually cover solar panels directly, but they can free up support for other improvements that make solar work better in the long run.
Still scratching your head about solar? Our solar FAQs page has the answers, from “how it works” to “what it costs.” So, if you’re curious, the next step is simple: check your home’s suitability, get a solar quote, and see what works for your budget.
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