What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy?

Reduce your carbon footprint and lower your electricity costs with solar energy.

Solar power is skyrocketing in popularity as one of the world’s fastest growing energy technologies – and it’s not hard to see why. With UK weather getting sunnier (yep that’s not a typo), solar has the potential to transform how we choose to power our homes.

Whether you’re looking to reduce your electricity bills or your carbon footprint, solar power could be the perfect solution. To help you decide with confidence, use our straightforward guide to the pros and cons of installing solar panels and see how they could work for you.

What is solar energy?

Solar energy (or solar power) is the electricity generated by harnessing the power of sunlight through technologies like solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. They’re the ones you’ve seen springing up on roofs across the country.

Solar power is a clean, renewable source of energy. Being clean energy means it creates virtually no harmful greenhouse emissions to convert our everyday sunshine into usable electricity. Being renewable means, unlike fossil fuels, it will never run out. Well not until the Sun explodes and scientists think we’ve got around 5 billion years before then - so we reckon that counts.

Solar panels in a nutshell.

The advantages of solar energy for your home.

Whether you're looking to save money on your electricity bills or do your bit for the planet, get inspired by the range of fantastic benefits to installing solar at home.

• Reduced electricity costs. Generating your own power at home could help you save on your electricity bill by reducing the amount of energy you draw from the National Grid. Better yet, if you generate more power than you use, you can sell it back to the grid through the Smart Export Guarantee.

• Lower carbon footprint. Solar power is a clean, renewable energy source. By avoiding fossil fuels, you’re helping to decarbonise energy and reach the UK's net zero goals.

• Energy security. Installing solar power at home helps improve UK energy security by reducing your reliance on the grid.

• Increased home value. Solar power is a valuable perk for eco-conscious buyers that could help you seal the deal. Plus, it’s a great way to help raise your home’s EPC rating, which can increase your home’s sale value.¹

• Ease of installation. Installing solar panels on your roof is a straightforward process that typically takes around a day. Always ensure your installation is carried out by a professional installer. They will have the right equipment and expertise to safely carry out the work. All our solar panel quotes include standard installation from Which? Trusted Trader E.ON. Their MCS accredited installers will ensure your solar set up goes smoothly.

The disadvantages of solar energy for your home.

While solar power has some fantastic benefits, it's important to consider any potential set-backs before making a decision.

• Up front costs. Although solar energy can help you enjoy lower electricity bills, they do have a significant upfront cost. Fortunately, the technology has become less expensive over time, making it an accessible investment for more and more households. You can also check for grants and offers to help lower the initial costs. At E.ON Next we also offer flexible payment options, to help you pay for your solar installation in more affordable chunks over a fixed period. E.ON acts as a credit broker, not a lender.

• Solar needs sunshine. Solar PV panels generate more power in bright sunshine. They won’t generate after dark, meaning you may need to adapt your habits to get the most out of them. You should also expect seasonal variations, due to longer days in Summer and shorter days over the Winter. Adding solar battery storage to your installation can be a great way to manage your solar power for more consistent use - including overnight.

• Is it right for your home? If you are planning a roof installation you’ll need to make sure that your roof pitch is within an acceptable range. Plus, check which direction the panels would be facing. South-facing allows for maximum exposure to sunlight throughout the day, but East or West facing roofs are often still suitable. Shading can also affect the efficiency of your panels, so check for chimney stacks or nearby trees that may block sunlight during peak daytime hours. For more advice on installing solar at your home speak to an E.ON expert.

Why go solar with E.ON Next?

How much could solar panels save you?

Generating power at home with solar panels can help you spend less money on electricity from the grid. A 12 panel solar system, battery and tariff could see savings of up to £1,202 a year² on your home's electricity bill. T&Cs apply.

Ultimately, how much you save will depend on a few things:

• Number of solar panels. The more panels you have installed, the more power you can generate.

• Location of installation. Your solar panels will be more efficient in optimum conditions, such as on a south facing, unshaded roof. Additionally, you will likely see slightly higher savings if you live in the South of England, where it’s usually sunnier - but solar power is still viable across the UK.

• Time of year. You will generally generate more power during the long sunny days of summer than during winter, so expect to see your savings fluctuate throughout the year.

• When you use electricity. Your savings will vary depending on the time of day you're using your power. Households who are at home all day will generally see higher savings than those who are out during working hours³. However, options like a SEG tariff or solar battery can help you make use of the solar power generated when you’re out.

• How much electricity you use. Solar panels alone may not be enough to power your home, even during the day. Whilst this won’t affect your savings, it can mean your energy bills are higher than you expect. Therefore, it’s important to remember the more energy you use, the more likely you will need to pay for additional power from the grid.

• Solar battery or SEG tariff. On the flipside, if at any time during the day you’re using less power than you’re generating, it’s a good idea to get a SEG tariff or solar battery. Otherwise you won’t see any savings from your excess generation.

How solar energy works.

Solar energy can be harnessed through the installation of photovoltaic (PV) panels. They can be installed on rooftops, buildings, and solar farms to help power homes and businesses throughout the day.

These nifty panels are made of a semiconductor (such as silicon) and consist of small solar cells that generate direct current (DC) electricity when hit by the Sun’s radiant rays. This DC electricity then whizzes through an inverter, which switches it into alternate current (AC) electricity, ready for use in your home. AC electricity is used for powering everything from your lights to your appliances, and is the stuff you get from your plug sockets.

To really get into the nuts and bolts, read our quick guide to understanding how solar panels actually work.

Can I power my home entirely on solar panels?

You just might! It may sound unbelievable, but solar panels can generate electricity during all daylight hours, regardless of weather conditions. While sunnier days generate more power, even cloudy days can produce a significant amount of energy. This consistent generation makes solar energy a reliable source of electricity come rain or shine.

But what about at night? Surely solar can’t power your home after dark. Right?

Wrong! Battery storage technology allows you to store excess energy generated during the day in solar batteries - providing you with power even after sunset.

Of course, in reality most homes will still need to top up their electricity use with power from the grid. The energy output of your solar panels varies day by day, and so does your energy use - which makes it quite tricky for even a large solar array to reliably meet your full energy demands all year round. But every watt generated is a watt saved from your electricity bill!

Get more out of your solar power.

Solar power has a wide range of ways it can help power your home, and it goes far beyond your telly and your toaster.