Add solar panels to your home

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Photo of house with solar panels on roof

A great way to reduce the pollution created from your electricity, signal to your neighbours the importance of clean energy, and even save money in the long-run! Adding solar panels to your home contributes to the amount of renewable energy available in the UK, while saving you money on your electricity bill.

Rooftop solar panels typically pay for themselves after less than six years. Currently, you can even get them installed without any upfront cost, via a monthly subscription instead! This allows you to effectively ‘rent’ the equipment to include battery storage, have all the benefit of the tech, and save far more than your monthly payment. This is available via a government trial to selected residents via the Energy Saver App.

When installed in your home, solar panels power your electricals, and any power left over can be either stored (if you have a battery installed) or exported to the grid for a payment.

In the long run, this should lower your electricity bill. The saving depends on how much electricity you normally use, and when you normally run your appliances.

To maximise your savings with solar panels, use your electrical appliances—such as running the washing machine or dishwasher, recharging batteries or doing the ironing, etc.—when the sun is shining rather than later in the day.

Climate Impact

The energy payback time (the time it takes for solar panels to eliminate the same amount of emissions it took to make them) is about three years. Most solar panels should last you 25+ years, so that's at least 22 years of emissions-free energy!

Next steps

Energy Saver App connects to your smart meter, and for those who tick the relevant box to be included in the ‘government trial’, you’ll be in with a chance to be selected for solar PV with battery storage at no up-front cost to you. Instead, an affordable monthly subscription will be agreed, giving you all the benefits of the tech without the upfront-cost barrier. It's a free app for Oxfordshire residents.

Get advice and information from the Energy Saving Trust.

Love graphs? Have a look at the country's energy meter and see live how much energy is renewable and how much is fossil fuel powered.

If you have a household income under £36,000:

We’re expecting a new scheme to launch shortly called Warm Homes; Local Grant. This is a fantastic opportunity if you have a household income below £36,000, live in a low energy-efficient property, either owned by yourself or privately rented, to gain significant improvements fully-funded! Contact Welcome the Warmth on 0800 038 6775 or the online application form via this link.