Solar panels are becoming more popular for UK households, but are they powerful enough to power an entire home?
As we become more environmentally conscious and try to find ways to save money here and there, people are turning to utilising solar energy for their homes and moving away from depending on the National Grid. The aim is to become completely independent from the grid and rely solely on solar panels.
If you are planning on making the move, you are probably wondering how feasible it is to run your home entirely off residential solar panels. This is a question we get asked frequently, so to help you, we have answered the question with everything you need to know about powering your house with the sun.
Can they power a house?
The simple answer is yes, solar panels can power a house. However, there are a few factors that will affect this.
An average household in the UK will consume between 2,900 kWh and 3,731 kWh of power per year. With the right solar panel solution installed in your home, you will be able to generate enough energy to cover this and potentially have some spare to sell back to the grid.
How do solar panels work?
Solar panels work by converting sunlight into electricity. Photovoltaic cells within the panels absorb sunlight, generating a flow of electrons that creates direct current (DC) electricity, which is then converted into usable alternating current (AC) electricity for various applications.
Solar panels will produce the most amount of electricity during peak sunlight hours and stop producing electricity when there is little or no sun. Therefore, solar panels are often installed with a battery, which will store excess energy ready for use when no power is generated. It is this piece of equipment that often keeps households powered independently from the National Grid.
How do they power a house?
As stated above, solar panels convert the energy from the sun into an electricity current that can be used throughout a residential household. In addition to this, a solar storage system is often implemented to hold any excess energy generated throughout the day so that it can be used when the sun is not shining and powering the home. While solar panels have the capability to generate enough electricity to power a house, there are a few variables that should be considered before making the jump to running your home completely on solar energy.
The design of the house and the roof’s surface will impact how many solar panels you will be able to have installed. Each house is different and will need a different amount of power, so you might find that the amount of solar panels there is room for will not generate enough power for your home.
The direction of the roof is also a big factor because that will determine how much sun the panels capture. If the roof doesn’t receive any sun, the panels won’t be able to generate any power as there is nothing to convert.
With this in mind, you will also need to think about the angle of the roof and if there is an obstruction that causes partial shade. Again, these will reduce the amount of solar energy hitting the panels, which will reduce the amount of power generated.
Every house is different, so there isn’t one solution for everyone. This is why we offer a free survey, where we can assess your home’s potential and talk through the potential set-up you might be able to install for the most effective use of solar energy.
Call our expert team to learn more about our free survey and how our solar solutions might be able to help you power your home.
Are they worth the investment?
In the UK, the most common solar system installed is a four kW system.
This system will have an average output of around 3,400 kWh per year and will cost around £6,000. According to Ofgem, the average annual electricity consumption for a household in the UK is around 2,900 kWh. This means that the solar panel system will generate 117% of your household electricity in perfect conditions.
As you can see, this would leave you with excess energy that you could potentially sell back to the National Grid and make money off. However, you will have to remember that this depends on the number of hours the panels have been exposed to sunshine, and your power consumption.
Even if you don’t become completely independent from the grid, solar panels will help to significantly reduce the amount of electricity you use from the grid, therefore reducing your bill.
Of course, it is also worth mentioning that solar panels are also incredibly environmentally friendly, making them worth the investment for some people.
Are they right for you?
On average, more than 17,000 households have installed solar panels every month in 2023, but are they right for you?
Investing in solar panels is a big decision as it can be a large upfront cost. So, how do you know if they are right for you and your home?
There are many benefits of solar panels. Not only will they generate clean energy, but they will provide energy all year round, and their life span is around 25 years, making them a good investment.
Solar panels can reduce the carbon footprint and help eliminate domestic harmful emissions, which means that solar panels will increase the value of your home as people are looking for more environmentally friendly ways of living.
If you aren’t sure whether solar panels are right for you, get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team to arrange a free consultation and discuss potential options for your home.
Our teams are able to install on-roof solar panels as well as flat-roof solar panels, so no matter what type of roof you have, we are likely able to help. We are also able to install solar thermal panels, allowing you to maximise solar energy and heat your home as well as generate electricity, further reducing bills and reliance on local authorities.
Learn more about our solar panel solutions by calling us on 0330 021 8672. We are passionate about helping homeowners find a solution to power their homes through solar panels.
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