What are the benefits of solar panels?

The benefits of solar panels can be measured in a number of ways. To some the biggest benefit will be the saving you can make on your energy bills, to others it will be the impact on the environment and of course there are those who believe that both of those benefits are equally as important as the other.

The energy from the sun is free to everyone around the world and while we take it for granted we should never forget that fact, so once you’ve paid for the initial installation, your electricity costs will be reduced.  

We know from the scientists that green house gases and carbon emissions are the problems and issues the global population face now and in the future and this is why solar panels are such a good investment, not just a monetary investment but also a social economic investment.

Solar electricity is a clean, renewable energy source. A typical home solar panel system could save around one tonne of carbon per year, depending on where you live in the UK. That’s the equivalent of driving 3,600 miles.

 Solar panels on their own offer lower electricity bills and clean energy. But they’re at their best when combined with other renewable technologies. Instead of exporting surplus electricity, you could store it for later use. 

Battery storage lets you save your solar electricity to use when your panels aren’t generating energy. This reduces the need to import and pay for electricity from the grid during peak times. 

For example every unit of electricity stored in a battery and used at night, will save you around 14p per kilo watt.  When you consider the cost of your electricity, which is probably costing you 28p per kilo watt or more, then the use of a solar battery is a major benefit to all homeowners with solar panels.

Most people aren’t at home in the middle of the day to take advantage of the energy generated by their solar panels. When you don’t use the energy from your panels it’s sent back into the grid, so change this and store it.

If you work from home, you’ll naturally use some of the energy yourself. If you’re away during the day, you’re less likely to use this energy, unless you set timers for your home appliances to run during this time. 

Typically, most homeowners tend to go out during the good weather, the days when the sun is shining brightest is the time your solar panel system will be generating the best return, therefore it makes more sense to use the energy yourself instead of selling it.