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Are Solar Panels the Right Choice for Your Home?
Solar panels take advantage of one of natureâ??s most powerful yet free resources: the energy produced by the sun. Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic systems (PV systems), use semiconductor technology to convert energy from sunlight into electricity that can power your household.

But, are they the right solution for your home?

On average, more than 4,000 solar panel system are installed in the UK each month. The growing popularity of solar panels means that the prices have gone down by 60% over the past decade. The prices of solar panels have steadily decreased over the last years, as new technologies have been discovered to make solar energy components more cost-efficient. On top of that, solar panel system do not merely help to reduce your energy bills, but they can also help you earn money from surplus electricity generated. The UK government announced that the VAT on energy efficient measures will be scrapped starting April 2022.

So, the 3 key benefits of solar panels are:

Electricity all year round - Solar panels generate clean, emission-free electricity to power your home all year round, while their long life span of more than 25 years makes them a long-term good investment.
Increase the market value of your property & earn money from solar grants - Selling surplus electricity generated by your solar panels is another advantage that solar panel system offer. You will not simply earn money from SEG, but also increase the market value of your house.
Reduce your carbon footprint - A solar-powered home reduces the carbon footprint and helps to eliminate domestic harmful emissions.

To help guide your switch to solar energy, GreenMatch has gathered in this guide the most useful information, including:

The overall prices of solar panels in the UK
Financial incentives to help you get the most out of your investment
Practical information about installation procedures and costs
Solar panel features affecting efficiency, as well as, the best models out there
Giving answers to all common online questions
Are Solar Panels Worth the Investment (4kW System Example)?
Let's take a 4kW solar panel system as an average PV system in a UK home.

It has an output of 3,400 kWh per year and costs around £6,000. If you compare this to the average annual electricity consumption of a household, which is around 3,200-4,100 kWh, solar panels can cover 83-106% of your electricity demand in perfect conditions. However, this depends on sunshine hours and energy usage. In addition, with incentives like the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), you can even earn money for surplus energy exported back to the grid!

So, even if it requires a significant amount upfront, investing in solar energy can have a great return in the long run. If you want an analytical breakdown of seasonality and monthly energy output continue reading.

If youâ??re interested in purchasing solar panels in the UK, and you would like to compare different installers, then GreenMatch is here to help. Just select your region, and we will send you up to 4 offers tailored to your requirements from suppliers in your area. You are not obliged to accept any quote you receive.

Solar Photovoltaic Panels
Photovoltaic (PV) systems are commonly used solar panel systems in the UK. Photovoltaic systems convert sunlight directly into electricity.

Solar cells are made of semiconductors, such as silicon, which absorb the sunlight and convert it into electricity.

Solar cells are connected electrically and packed together in a frame, commonly known as a solar panel. When you connect multiple solar panel system together, they form a solar array. And, finally, when you add the cabling, brackets, inverter, and so forth, the entire system forms your solar panel system.

The electrical conductors are attached to positive and negative terminals, thus forming an electrical circuit. From there, the electrons can be captured in the form of an electric current (electricity). This current, together with the cell's voltage (which is a result of its built-in electric field or fields), defines the power (or wattage) that the solar cell can produce, and is how solar panels convert sunlight into electricity.

Grid-Connected vs. Stand-Alone PV Systems
Grid-connected systems make use of the local utility grid to ensure you are never without electricity. If your domestic solar panel system generates more electricity than your household requires in a day, this surplus energy can be exported back to the national grid. On the other hand, if you need more electricity than your solar panels have generated, the grid can supply this.

Stand-alone PV systems are not connected to the grid, but instead charge a solar battery system. These batteries store the electricity generated by your panels. To operate your appliances, the stored electricity from these batteries will be used. Stand-alone systems are used in areas that cannot be connected to a grid, and are typically more expensive than grid-connected systems because solar batteries are still quite costly.

Solar Battery Storage Systems
Solar batteries store electricity generated by solar power and let you to use it during the evenings when your solar panel system are not generating electricity. You can make use of solar batteries whether you are connected to the grid or not.

Solar battery storage system costs are not low, ranging from £1,200 to £6,000, depending on the size and capacity. However, technological advancements are leading to new solutions year after year, and may likely lead to a reduction in solar battery prices.

Solar Thermal Collectors
Solar thermal panels use sunlight to heat up water that is stored in a cylinder, which can then be used for your home heating needs. Solar thermal panels are roof-mounted, just like solar PV panels, but look slightly different, as instead of cells they have multiple pipes that heat up water. A related technology is thermodynamic panels, which extract heat from the ambient air.

Both solar thermal and thermodynamic panels can be used for space heating, but most commonly they provide the domestic hot water (DHW) needs of households.

Already have an idea of what youâ??re looking for and donâ??t want to waste any more time? Simply click the button below to get up to 4 solar panel quotes. Itâ??s completely free and youâ??re under no obligation to accept any of the quotes you receive.

Are solar panel system in the UK?
Solar panels are very efficient in the UK. Although the efficiency of solar panels is higher on sunny days, they do not need direct sunlight to work. Solar panels can also produce a considerable amount of electricity on cloudy days and during the winter season.

In fact, solar panel system are more suited to cooler temperatures. Solar panels can overheat in countries with very warm weather. Therefore, UK weather is most of the year ideal for the efficiency of the product.

A typical commercial solar module has an efficiency rating of 15-20%. One important challenge of the PV industry is to improve the module efficiency, and at the same time, keep down the cost per cell.

Naturally, there are many factors that can affect the efficiency of your system, from the type of solar panel to angling, and seasonality.

There's a common misconception that solar panels don't work well in the winter. However, a solar panel system can be effective even in the winter if you prepare and maintain them properly.