Your solar panel advice guide.
Want to buy solar panels?
Here's everything you need to know when buying solar panels, including how much a solar panel costs, understanding the savings you can start making straight away, as well as how you can get paid to send the excess electricity you generate back to the grid. Plus, see how you can start your journey to a sustainable home.
Why invest in solar panels?
There are many reasons to invest in solar panels, including both short and long term gains:
Short term gains:
Immediate savings on your energy bills: Solar panels can help you save money on your electricity bills by generating electricity from the sun which you can use to power your home rather than getting electricity from the grid.
Increase your energy independence: Solar panels can help you reduce your reliance on electricity from the grid, making you more energy independent.
Long term gains:
Protect the environment: Photovoltaic solar panels are a clean and renewable source of energy that can help reduce your carbon footprint.
Increase the value of your home: Solar panels can increase the value of your home by making it more energy-efficient and attractive to potential buyers.
Support sustainable energy: Solar panels are a sustainable way to generate electricity and help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
How much could I save with solar panels?
Utilising the power of the Sun is not only energy-efficient but also a cost-saving solution for generating electricity in your home.
The potential savings are based on an annual usage of 4,000 kWh (kilowatt hours) and an electricity price of 24.86p/kWh, assuming a south-facing roof (35° pitch and no shade). These savings include the expected returns from 6 to 16 solar panels, along with SEG payments based on 460W rated solar panels.
Savings without a solar battery.
| Number of solar panels installed | Annual bill saving | SEG payment | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
6 | £270 | £314 | £584 |
8 | £303 | £467 | £770 |
10 | £332 | £623 | £955 |
12 | £359 | £781 | £1,140 |
14 | £392 | £933 | £1,325 |
16 | £448 | £1,067 | £1,515 |
Savings with a 5.1kWh (5.1kWh usable) solar battery.
| Number of solar panels installed | Annual bill saving | SEG payment | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
6 | £560 | £69 | £629 |
8 | £650 | £174 | £824 |
10 | £711 | £302 | £1,013 |
12 | £760 | £442 | £1,202 |
14 | £840 | £555 | £1,395 |
16 | £960 | £635 | £1,595 |
The number of solar panels used is determined by the kilowatt peak (kWp) rating. The configurations are as follows: 6 solar panels at 2.76 kWp, 8 solar panels at 3.68 kWp, 10 solar panels at 4.6 kWp, 12 solar panels at 5.52 kWp, 14 solar panels at 6.44 kWp, 16 solar panels at 7.36 kWp.
How to get paid for your excess electricity with the Smart Export Guarantee.
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a government scheme that allows you to get paid for the excess electricity that your solar panels generate. To be eligible for the SEG, you must:
Have a solar PV system installed on your property.
Be a homeowner or landlord.
Have a valid electricity meter.
If you meet these criteria, you can apply for the SEG through us. Once your application has been approved, you will receive a payment for each unit of electricity that you export to the grid.
The amount of money you receive will depend on the tariff that you are on. However, you can earn up to 21p per kWh for your excess electricity when you buy solar panels and a battery from us.
The SEG is a great way to make money from your solar panels and help to reduce your energy bills.
Understanding solar panel efficiency.
Solar panels are a clean and renewable source of energy that can help you save money on your electricity bills and reduce your carbon footprint. However, not all solar panels are created equal. The efficiency of a photovoltaic solar panel is measured by how much of the sunlight that hits the panel is converted into electricity.
Efficient photovoltaic solar panels offer several benefits over less efficient panels, including:
Increased electricity generation.
Efficient solar panels can generate more electricity from the same amount of sunlight, which means you can install fewer panels to meet your energy needs.
Reduced system costs.
Because you need fewer panels, the overall cost of your solar system will be lower.
Improved performance in low-light conditions.
Efficient solar panels perform better in low-light conditions, such as on cloudy days or in the early morning and evening hours.
How to choose efficient solar panels
When choosing solar panels for your home, it is important to consider the following factors:
Panel efficiency.
Look for panels with an efficiency rating of at least 20%.
Panel wattage.
Higher wattage panels (if they’re the same size as other panels) will have a higher efficiency.
Temperature coefficient.
The temperature coefficient measures how much the panel's efficiency decreases as the temperature increases. Look for panels with a smaller negative temperature coefficient as close to zero as possible.
Warranty.
Choose panels with both long product and performance warranties such as 25 years or more.
How to install solar panels?
Well we’re here to explain the whole solar installation process to you, from the initial discussions through to managing your solar energy with our E.ON Home app.
First contact.
Organising a detailed technical survey.
Arranging your solar panel installation.
Scaffolding and install mounts fitted.
Solar panels, inverter and battery installed.
After installation.
Once everything’s up and running and checked over, our team will show you how to use your system and the apps that go with it, including our award-winning E.ON Home app. A few days after installation, we will send through all your documentation, certificates and warranty details.
Once your solar panel installation is complete, the whole system is connected to the consumer unit which will sit in your fuse box and we’ll work with your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to get you connected to the grid.
Spread the cost of your solar panels.
You have the opportunity to get a solar system with our flexible payment options, which includes paying in monthly instalments. We’re a credit broker not a lender.
The starting price for a 6-panel system with on-roof solar panels is just £4,995, and a 12-panel (5.52 kWp) system starts from only £6,878.
Solar panels allow you to generate your own electricity using the sun's energy, potentially saving you up to £760 per year on your energy bills1. By selling your exported electricity, you could even earn an additional £442 while reducing the carbon footprint of your home2.
The overall price can vary based on the number of panels required, the level of shade on your roof, and the type of solar panels you choose.
Polycrystalline or monocrystalline solar panels?
Monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels are the two most common types of solar panels, both with their pros and cons. If you're looking for the more energy efficient solar panels then go with monocrystalline. If you're after a less expensive option, then it's polycrystalline panels. Both should last you about 25-35 years.
We offer monocrystalline solar panels to give you the more energy efficient option.
How long do solar panels last?
What happens on cloudy days?