UK households could slash their energy bills by as much as two thirds by installing solar panels and a home battery, according to new research.
The potential savings come as households face another squeeze on their finances, with annual energy bills forecast to rise by as much as 16% from January, potentially adding an extra £276 a year.
With colder weather and another jump in bills on the horizon, David Martin, Managing Director at precision tooling specialists Heamar, is urging homeowners considering solar to act now.
“It might seem counterintuitive to install solar panels just as the days grow darker and shorter, but autumn can actually be a good time for homeowners to invest in solar power technology if you’ve been thinking about getting panels installed.
“Many people assume that because the weather is darker and colder, solar panels won’t work or generate energy. But solar panels do continue to operate during winter. The main difference is that you’re likely to generate less because there are fewer daylight hours during the colder months. However, they can still significantly help to reduce the amount of electricity you need to use from the grid, and as you’re likely to be using more energy during winter, getting solar panels installed now could make a difference.”
Why Autumn Installation Makes Sense
- Beat the winter rush
As temperatures fall and households start using more energy, demand for installers can increase, especially around November and December. Getting your solar panels installed during autumn means you may be more likely to find an appointment that fits your schedule, avoid longer waiting times and start making the most of your solar energy before the colder winter months.
- Be fully set up before peak heating season
Having your solar system fully set up in autumn means that you can start generating your own electricity before energy use typically rises during the colder months, so you can get ahead of demand. As well as this, SEAI processing isn’t instantaneous, so starting the process now avoids delays as we head into the busiest time of the year.
- You can offset rising energy costs
As we’re seeing with the predicted rise in UK household energy bills, costs can shoot up and change quite quickly, especially in the face of unpredictability. Getting solar panels installed now, while they might be a high cost to begin with, can not only help provide protection against energy bill uncertainty, but generating your own energy can also mean you may not need to purchase as much from your supplier when costs rise.
- Battery storage advantages
A lot of solar panel installations now come with home battery systems, allowing you to store excess energy generated during the day and use it when you need it most. And with the weather still feeling relatively mild and humid despite spells of rain, you might not be reaching for the heating just yet.
Installing solar panels and battery storage now means you can make the most of brighter autumn days, storing surplus electricity for use later in the day or evening. Then, as temperatures begin to fall and household energy demand rises towards winter, your solar and battery system is already in place to help you make better use of the energy you generate.
- Environmental benefits
Outside of cost savings and having more control over your electricity, getting solar panels installed this autumn can be great for the environment. Solar energy is one of the cleanest forms of electricity generation, so it can help to reduce carbon emissions and support the UK’s transition to a low-carbon future.
How does installation work?
A professional installer will usually assess your roof to begin with, along with discussions around your energy usage to see how the system can be accurately designed around your property.
Once they are happy and have finalised the installation details, installers will come round and fit the system for you. Installations can often be completed within a day but can sometimes take longer depending on weather conditions. As part of your installation, the process includes solar panel fitting, electrical connections, system commissioning and performance testing.
Precision tooling is especially important here because it helps ensure that the solar panels will work accurately and safely. Specialist tools, like torque tools and crimping equipment, often help installers to secure components correctly, as well as making sure electrical connections on your solar panels are installed to the required standards for long-term performance and safety.
