Solar Panels – Are they worth it?

It is understandable that as we look to a future towards achieving net-zero, that more and more of us are looking at having solar panels installed.  But a question that has always lingered around solar panels is this – are they worth it?

Understandably, our immediate answer is yes.  Let us explain why solar panels are worth it both for the environment and the proven savings they can bring to lowering your energy usage (and therefore energy costs).

Are solar panels going to save me money?

When people ask whether solar panels are worth it, what they are actually asking it ‘when will it start earning me money/when will I break even?’

It is a slightly difficult question to answer because it really depends on how many solar panels you have fitted, what brand and model you go for etc.  Solar panels are getting cheaper all the time (which is good news) but based on current data, you could expect to break even, purely on money saved on energy bills (and not selling additional energy back to the national grid) in just over 10 years.  And while you may be thinking about the adding cost of maintenance and repairs, remember that solar panels, like so many goods come with a manufacturer warranty.  So, knowing that they won’t cost you anything for repairs means that as soon as they are ‘paid off’, you can then start cashing in immediately on this amazing form of green energy.

As we have said, solar panels are getting cheaper.  Prices of solar panels have dropped roughly 65% in the last decade. When you then take into account that the Smart Export Guarantee launched in January 2020 guarantees that all energy providers in the UK pay households for the energy generated by their solar panels sent to the national grid; this all means that it is cheaper to get solar panels installed and you are guaranteed to make money selling the excess energy your solar panels produce.  A win win.

Are solar panels worth it from an environmental standpoint?

Along with the cost benefits, solar panels are entirely clean and can stop nearly 2 tonnes of carbon from entering the atmosphere every year – just from the energy saved from your home.

And you don’t need to worry about having to replace solar panels.  Once they are installed, they are very sturdy and durable. The chances of you having to replace a solar panel are slim.  The most likely cause would be damage cause by external sources.  With little to no maintenance and healthy 25 year warranty plans, solar panels can offer you a lot of peace of mind and will keep producing clean, green energy for many years to come.  So to answer the question ‘are they worth it to help the environment?’ – yes they are.

Will they not lower the value of my home?

Solar panels can actually present a great selling point for a property. With energy prices rising at a scary rate, they are only increasing in popularity as a feature in a property. If potential buyers see that your home already has solar panels installed, this can immediately add value to the property.

Okay, you have convinced me, what now?

The first, next step is to get in touch with us. We are experts in the design and installation of solar panels, battery storage and electric car charging systems and have a proven track record for delivering green energy results for businesses looking for bespoke low carbon electricity generating systems. To find out more about how Low Energy Services can benefit your business as you move to greener, cheaper technology, please get in touch.