Thinking about solar panels?
We’re here to help.
Looking for independence from the energy grid – and a source of your own renewable power? Then turn your eyes skyward. Because solar power is becoming more popular than ever. Here’s everything you need to know about investing in solar panels.
Want to be first to hear about our upcoming solar products?
What are solar panels?
Quite simply, they’re panels that turn sunlight into electricity. You see them all over rooftops, and the most common are photovoltaic solar panels (often called “PV”). The best thing about solar panels is they don't even need direct sunlight to work – so they’re perfect for the grey old UK. Phew.
What are solar panels?
Quite simply, they’re panels that turn sunlight into electricity. You see them all over rooftops, and the most common are photovoltaic solar panels (often called “PV”). The best thing about solar panels is they don't even need direct sunlight to work – so they’re perfect for the grey old UK. Phew.
Smaller bills. Lighter footprint. Check out the brilliant benefits of solar panels
Smaller energy bills
By generating your own electricity you could cut hundreds of £s off your energy bills each year.
Get money back
You can sell any excess power back to energy companies, helping to green up the grid as you go.
Easily maintained
Thankfully, they only need to be cleaned occasionally to keep them super powerful.
Help our planet
Solar is a renewable source, so as well as helping tackle climate change it reduces air pollution too.
The cost of solar panels
Solar panels are an investment and the exact costs will vary. It all depends on the number of panels and quality of materials you choose. Over the long-term, they can help protect you from rising energy prices and even add value to your home.
The average cost for a solar panel system, according to the Energy Saving Trust, is around £4,800². And they can range up to £11,700³. For a more accurate idea, you can try the Energy Saving Trust’s Solar Energy Calculator.
The cost of solar panels
Solar panels are an investment and the exact costs will vary. It all depends on the number of panels and quality of materials you choose. Over the long-term, they can help protect you from rising energy prices and even add value to your home.
The average cost for a solar panel system, according to the Energy Saving Trust, is around £4,800². And they can range up to £11,700³. For a more accurate idea, you can try the Energy Saving Trust’s Solar Energy Calculator.
How solar panels work
The science (and magic) behind sunny solar power
It’s all pretty simple. When the sun shines down on a solar panel, the photovoltaic cells absorb its energy.
You know those black squares you see on solar panels? They're the cells. Each is made up of sandwiched layers of semiconducting materials. Every layer has different electronic properties, which energise when hit by photons from sunlight – creating an electric field. See? Magic.
One panel usually has around 30 cells. How much electricity it generates depends on things like its size, how bright it is that day, and a few other factors – such as temperature.
How solar panels work
The science (and magic) behind sunny solar power
It’s all pretty simple. When the sun shines down on a solar panel, the photovoltaic cells absorb its energy.
You know those black squares you see on solar panels? They're the cells. Each is made up of sandwiched layers of semiconducting materials. Every layer has different electronic properties, which energise when hit by photons from sunlight – creating an electric field. See? Magic.
One panel usually has around 30 cells. How much electricity it generates depends on things like its size, how bright it is that day, and a few other factors – such as temperature.
Store your power – or sell it!
Your solar panels will probably generate more electricity than your home can use in the daytime. In fact, a home that uses a “medium” amount of electricity consumes 2,900kWh a year⁴ (according to energy regulator Ofgem) – while an average solar panel system can generate around 3,750kWh of electricity!
So that means you’ll want to either store that extra power to use overnight – or sell it back to the energy grid. The choice is yours.
To store the extra power, you’ll need a battery storage system – which is something worth thinking about.
Or, if you don’t store the power, you’ll need to buy electricity for the evenings. But you’ll be selling power back to the grid, which should help with that cost. It’s all useful to know, when weighing things up.
Store your power – or sell it!
Your solar panels will probably generate more electricity than your home can use in the daytime. In fact, a home that uses a “medium” amount of electricity consumes 2,900kWh a year⁴ (according to energy regulator Ofgem) – while an average solar panel system can generate around 3,750kWh of electricity!
So that means you’ll want to either store that extra power to use overnight – or sell it back to the energy grid. The choice is yours.
To store the extra power, you’ll need a battery storage system – which is something worth thinking about.
Or, if you don’t store the power, you’ll need to buy electricity for the evenings. But you’ll be selling power back to the grid, which should help with that cost. It’s all useful to know, when weighing things up.
A ray of light for planet Earth
See how solar panels can cut your carbon footprint
Did you know that a typical home solar system can cut between 1.3 and 1.6 tonnes of carbon a year?
Amazingly, that’s the same as 24 trees can absorb over 10 years⁵.
Now just imagine if every home on every street had solar panels…
You see, solar power is more than a good financial investment. It’s investing in the future of our planet too. And it’ll play a big part in helping the UK reach net zero carbon by 2050.
Want to be a solar panel pioneer?
At OVO, we’re passionate about the power of the sun – and how it can help us change climate change. If you’d like to hear about the exciting solar products and the pioneering trials we’ve got in the pipeline, sign up here.
Want to be a solar panel pioneer?
At OVO, we’re passionate about the power of the sun – and how it can help us change climate change. If you’d like to hear about the exciting solar products and the pioneering trials we’ve got in the pipeline, sign up here.
Get even more info
Check out these blogs for all the knowledge you need:
How solar panels can reduce your carbon footprint
Find out moreSmart Export Guarantee explained: how much could you save?
Find out morePopular questions about solar panels
You’ll need between 12 and 24 solar panels to run a whole house. The exact amount will depend on how much electricity you use, how much sunlight your home gets – and how much roof space you have.
A rough estimate is that a 1-bedroom house will need 6 panels and a 2.1kWh system, a 3-bedroom house will need 10 panels and a 3.5kWh system – and a 5-bedroom house will need 14 panels and a 4.9kWh system.
You’ll discover more on this topic in our blog: home solar panels: how much sunlight does it take to power a home? And you can find out what size system your home will need with this handy solar energy calculator from The Energy Saving Trust.
Solar panels are around 95% silicone (including the most common monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film designs). This semiconductor material is perfect for the job because it’s cost-efficient, easy to use, and really durable.
The other 5% is usually made up of an anti-reflective glass coating, metal, wiring, and a plastic/polymer frame – to mount the panels on a roof or secure them to the ground.
Ages! Solar panels are a big investment, so it’s reassuring to know they last a long time. Most will give you a good 25 to 30 years of power. And you can get a generous 40 to 50 years with some of the latest models.
The performance of solar panels does drop slightly over time, but many come with warranties to guarantee efficiency levels of above 80%.
Unfortunately, there aren’t any government grants to pay for solar panels at the moment. The only funding available that’s open to new applicants is the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) – this allows you to be paid for the surplus energy you export back to the grid.
There are 2 other incentives that are running right now, but they’re both closed to new applicants sadly:
Not necessarily! Amazingly enough, solar panels produce power on cloudy days too. Even if it’s snowing or hailing, your solar panels can still generate electricity, so long as there’s a bit of light. That said, solar panels will perform at their very best when it’s sunniest.
There are ways to make your solar panels more effective. You should install them on a south-facing roof ideally, where they’ll catch the most rays. (We wouldn’t recommend installing solar panels on a north-facing roof.) It’s also best to install them at a 30 to 40-degree angle.
You only need planning permission for solar panels if your home is listed or in a conservation area. If that’s the case, get in touch with your Local Planning Authority to find out more.
Solar panels are also subject to building regulations. So you’ll need a certified installer to complete some checks before you get the panels fitted.
They might do, yes! A report by Solar Energy UK found that solar panels could increase the value of a typical home by at least £1,800. They could also make your home more attractive to future homeowners, because of the savings on energy costs.
We think solar panels are a really smart choice, which should help supercharge your journey to zero carbon. They’re a good way to save on energy bills – and they’re far better for the planet, too.
If you can afford it and it’s right for your home, then solar power is a solid long-term investment.
Here’s why we think solar panels are worth it:
- Save money on bills – generating your own power means cutting hundreds off your energy bills each year.
- Make extra £££ – sell any excess power back and you’ll be helping green up the energy grid as you go.
- Tackle climate change and air pollution – solar panels don’t produce greenhouse gases or air pollution. Hurray!
- Get protection from rising energy prices – as the wholesale cost of fossil fuels rise, renewable power is the way to go.
- Make a long-term investment – solar panels can power your home for decades to come.
- Add some value to your home – by at least £1,800.
- Enjoy easy maintenance – thankfully, solar panels only need to be cleaned occasionally to keep them super powerful.
Sources and references:
1solarpowerportal.co.uk/news/solar_pv_costs_fall_82_over_the_last_decade_says_irena
² energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/solar-panels/
³ which.co.uk/reviews/solar-panels/article/solar-panels/solar-panel-costs-aDxBY2v7kr60
⁴ ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/2020/01/tdcvs_2020_decision_letter_0.pdf
⁵ This calculation is based on statistics showing that, on average, each tree will absorb 0.060 metric tonne of CO2 per tree over 10 years: epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gases-equivalencies-calculator-calculations-and-references#seedlings