Cloudy Days Don’t Stop Solar Power in the UK!

The United Kingdom is not renowned for its sunny weather. However, it is a misconception that solar power is ineffective in the country. In fact, with advanced technology, government support and innovative energy storage solutions, solar energy is thriving in the UK. This post will explore how solar panels continue to generate electricity even on the cloudiest of days and why solar energy is a practical and efficient choice for the UK.

Solar Power: Beyond Bright Sunny Days

There is a common misconception that solar energy can only be generated when there is direct sunlight. However, this is not entirely true. Even on cloudy days, solar panels can still produce energy, although the efficiency may be lower. This is because solar panels can convert both sunlight and daylight into electricity. Therefore, even when the sun is not visible due to cloud cover, a significant amount of light penetrates through the clouds, allowing solar panels to continue operating and generating power.

Technological Advances

The solar industry has made leaps in technology, enhancing the efficiency of solar panels under various weather conditions. Modern solar panels are designed to capture a broader spectrum of sunlight, including the diffuse light available on cloudy days. Innovations in photovoltaic (PV) cell design have also improved their ability to convert more light into electricity, making solar energy a viable option throughout the year.

Energy Storage: The Game Changer

Energy storage technology is a crucial component in the UK’s solar energy success story. By storing excess electricity generated during sunny periods, energy storage systems ensure a continuous power supply, regardless of the weather. This not only maximizes the utility of solar panels but also contributes to a more stable and resilient energy grid. Advances in battery technology continue to lower costs and increase storage capacity, further enhancing the efficiency of solar power systems.

The Reality of Solar Power in the UK

Despite the UK’s reputation for grey skies, solar power is more than just a viable source of energy; it’s a thriving part of the country’s move towards a greener future. With over one million solar panel installations across the nation, it’s clear that households and businesses alike are embracing the benefits of solar energy. The efficiency of modern solar technology, combined with governmental support and advancements in energy storage, has made solar power a practical and efficient energy solution for the UK.

Embracing Solar in the UK

The reality is that solar power works in the UK, and it’s working well. As technology advances, government policies evolve, and energy storage solutions become more sophisticated, the future of solar energy in the UK looks brighter than ever. Whether it’s a sunny summer day or a cloudy winter afternoon, solar panels across the country are generating clean, renewable energy. It’s time to dispel the myths and recognize the potential of solar power in the UK.

As we turn our attention towards renewable energy sources, solar panels in the UK stand out as a beacon of hope and sustainability. However, many homeowners and businesses often ponder, “Is my roof suitable for solar panels?” The answer is quite reassuring. In fact, most roofs are prime candidates for solar panel installation. Here’s why:

The Power of Sunlight

The journey to harnessing solar energy begins with sunlight. If your roof receives ample sunlight throughout the day, you’re already on the right track. South-facing roofs in the UK capture the most sun, but east or west orientations can also yield significant energy. The key is exposure; the more direct sunlight your roof gets, the higher the potential for solar energy production.

A Versatile Fit

Are you worried that your roof material might not be compatible? Whether your home has shingles, metal, slate, or tiles, solar panel technology has evolved to work harmoniously with a wide range of roofing materials. This versatility ensures that regardless of your roof’s composition, the potential for solar remains vast.

Assessing Roof Strength

One of the marvels of modern engineering is the lightweight nature of solar panels, coupled with their durability. Most standard roofs are built to withstand additional loads, making them capable of supporting solar panel systems. However, the condition of your roof is paramount. A roof in good repair, with many years left in its lifespan, is ideal for solar installation, ensuring a long-term, worry-free investment in green energy.

The Role of Surroundings

While your roof itself might be ready for solar, external factors such as shading from trees, nearby buildings, or other structures can impact the efficiency of solar panels. Assessing the shade coverage throughout the day and across seasons is crucial. Strategic placement of panels or trimming back foliage can mitigate these effects, optimizing your solar energy yield.

The Importance of Expertise

Embarking on your solar journey should never be a solitary venture. Consulting with professional solar installers is a critical step. These experts conduct thorough assessments of your roof’s suitability, considering factors like structure, angle, and exposure, to provide tailored advice and solutions. Their expertise not only ensures the feasibility of installation but also maximizes the efficiency and performance of your solar panel system.

Embrace the Solar Potential

The shift towards green energy is not just a trend; it’s a necessary transition for a sustainable future. The good news is that the sun’s power is more accessible than ever, and with the majority of roofs being suitable for solar panels, the opportunity to go green is within reach. Let the sunlight that graces your roof pave the way towards a brighter, cleaner, and more sustainable home or business.

Whether you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint, cut energy costs, or invest in the future of our planet, solar panels offer a promising solution. So, why wait? Explore the potential sitting right above you and let the sun power your journey to sustainability.

The Power of Solar: Brightening UK Homes and Businesses

As we soak up the occasional British sun, it’s a perfect moment to consider how those golden rays do more than lift our spirits—they’re a powerhouse for our homes and businesses. In this article, we shine a light on the myriad benefits of solar power, an eco-friendly energy source that’s gaining momentum across the UK.

Leading the Charge in Sustainability

Solar energy is at the forefront of sustainable solutions, cutting our dependence on fossil fuels and slashing greenhouse gas emissions. For the UK, committed to ambitious climate targets, embracing solar is pivotal for safeguarding our environment for the next generations.

Energy Sovereignty with Solar Power

Harnessing solar power is about more than just clean energy; it’s about gaining energy sovereignty. Installing solar panels transforms your roof into a personal power plant, diminishing reliance on the grid and bolstering energy security, particularly during those high-demand periods.

Financial Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar panels are not just good for the planet—they’re great for your wallet too. By producing your own energy, you can significantly lower your electricity bills. Plus, any surplus power can be stored for later use or sold back to the grid, making your investment in solar even more rewarding.

Technological Advances in Solar Energy

The leaps in solar technology are impressive. Today’s panels are more efficient than ever, capturing sunlight even on the cloudiest of days. This means greater energy output and an even stronger case for solar power as a viable option in the UK’s varied climate.

Enhancing Property Value with Solar

Installing solar power systems can boost your home’s market appeal. Properties equipped with solar solutions are viewed as cutting-edge, eco-conscious, and cost-efficient, traits that are becoming ever more desirable among home buyers.

Community and Economic Impact of Solar

Opting for solar isn’t just a personal win; it’s a win for the community. The solar sector is a burgeoning field, generating jobs in manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and research. When you choose solar, you’re backing British jobs and contributing to the nation’s economic resilience.

Investing in a Sustainable Future with Solar

Solar power is more than a clean energy source; it’s a sound investment in our collective future. From the environmental benefits to financial savings, solar energy is a shining beacon for those dedicated to building a more sustainable UK. So next time you bask in the sun, remember—it’s not just warming your face, it’s powering the future.

The Bright Future of Solar Innovation

As we continue to innovate and adopt solar technologies, we’re not just lighting up homes; we’re lighting up possibilities for a cleaner, greener world. And that’s a future worth investing in—powered by the sun, driven by innovation, and sustained by communities across the UK.

The Powerhouse of Home Energy: Tesla Batteries

In the shift towards green living, Tesla Batteries stand out as the powerhouse behind home energy revolution. They’re the keystones of energy independence, eco-friendly sustainability, and consistent power without interruptions. Join us as we uncover the transformative role these batteries play in modern homes.

Reliable Power in All Conditions

Envision a lifestyle free from the inconvenience of power cuts. Tesla Batteries deliver comprehensive house backup, ensuring that, come wind or high water, your domestic life proceeds smoothly. They’re the silent guardians that keep the lights on and appliances running, no matter what.

Consistent Energy for Everyday Life

The 5kW charge and discharge capability of Tesla Batteries guarantees a reliable energy stream, ensuring that all your appliances operate seamlessly. From your morning coffee to your evening routine, these batteries provide the consistent power that modern homes demand.

Solar Energy Optimization at Home

For UK homes equipped with solar panels, Tesla Batteries are revolutionizing the way we use solar energy. By storing excess power generated during sunny spells, they ensure that your home can be run on solar energy even after the sun sets, boosting your green credentials and slashing your carbon footprint.

Control Your Energy Consumption

Tesla Batteries put the control of energy right where it belongs: with you. With these innovative batteries, you can monitor and adjust your energy consumption, shielding your household from fluctuating energy prices and giving you the autonomy to make smarter, cost-effective decisions.

A Sustainable Choice for the Environment

Choosing Tesla Batteries is a statement: you’re contributing to a sustainable future. These batteries facilitate a significant reduction in fossil fuel reliance, leading to a cleaner atmosphere and a healthier planet. It’s a positive leap forward for eco-conscious homeowners.

Investing in a Brighter Future

Tesla Batteries are a beacon of progress, signalling a move towards a more sustainable, resilient, and energy-independent lifestyle. Embracing this technology doesn’t just brighten your home—it brightens our collective future. Considering Tesla Batteries is not merely an investment in energy—it’s an investment in a sustainable and thriving planet.

Is it sunny enough for solar power to be generated in the UK?

People often ask us whether solar panels are worth having installed in the UK, due to the perceived lack of sunshine. The simple answer is yes, there is more than enough energy generated by the sun to make solar panels a worthwhile investment to save on your future energy bills.

Even though the UK has a reputation for being cloudy and grey compared to most European countries, solar panels still work, even if it is not particularly sunny.

Solar PVs use light to produce energy, not heat, so the amount of daylight is important and not the temperature. They do produce more power on sunny days because there is more light produced but they still work well on overcast days too.

In the summer months, the UK gets almost 17 hours of daylight per day, while even in December it gets a minimum of 8 hours daylight (figures based on London), so there is plenty of daylight to generate power through solar panels.

 

Is my home suitable for solar panels?

In some areas of the UK, we receive the same amount of sunlight as Germany, which is one of the biggest markets for solar panels in the world. The majority of UK properties will be suitable for solar panels, and the bigger the roof space, the better. South-facing roofs will usually be better for generating more energy but southwest and west-facing will also work, although you might not achieve as many savings as you would south-facing roofs.

Before you start your solar project, it is important to consider your roof material, as solar panels will work most effectively with durable roofing materials that are easy to mount the panels securely onto. If it is likely that you will be replacing your roof soon, it is probably worthwhile waiting until after it has been replaced before you arrange to have solar panels installed.

Now that we have uncovered some of the frequently asked questions on solar in the UK – we wanted to make sure we cover our basis on other FAQ’s on solar power.

 

Will the quality of my electricity suffer once I get solar panels in the UK?

If your solar panels are correctly installed by a professional company, your system should switch seamlessly between using power from the National Grid and the power generated from your solar panels. With good quality solar panels, you should not notice any difference in your electricity supply.

 

How does this work with my existing gas and electricity supplier?

When you have solar panels installed, your Feed-in Tariff is set by tracking market prices. If your current energy supplier is not in the Feed-in tariff scheme, you have the choice of switching your Feed-in Tariff to an eligible supplier and staying with your existing supplier for your household energy. Alternatively, you can switch to a new supplier for both your household energy and your Feed-in Tariff.

Please Note the Feed in Tariff ended in 2019 and is not available to new customers.

 

All energy suppliers who have more than 250,000 customers must be part of the Feed-in Tariff scheme, so there is a good chance yours is in the scheme. All of the most popular suppliers such as British Gas and Scottish Power are in the scheme, but it is worth checking whether your supplier is in the scheme before deciding on solar panels.

The amount of tariff you are eligible for will depend on the technology and capacity of your PV system, but it will not change when you switch energy suppliers, as the tariff is provided by Ofgem.

 

To summarise, if your property is suitable and you are going to be living there for at least 10 years, you will make your money back and start making significant savings. Even if you decide to move house, they will increase the value of your home, so in most cases, it is worthwhile having solar panels installed, even living in the UK.

To make sure that you generate the maximum amount of energy, you need a quality supplier and installer, so contact SolarCentric and we can help you to start generating solar power through our latest technology solar panels.

The global renewable energy industry grew at its fastest rate last year since 1999, and according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), solar power projects grew by 50% more than its growth before the Coronavirus pandemic! This clean energy demand could not be more timelier with the threat of climate change expecting to worsen the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. With more people investing, over time, we will get to see just how powerful renewable energy can be.

With the number in renewable investments predicted to increase again, we must keep this momentum going. But despite the fact more of us are committing to limitless, green energy – there are a few obstacles that some consumers face when it comes to investing in solar.

The reason for this is, some are weary of switching, especially homeowners due to not understanding the cost, not knowing how solar energy systems work and what type of maintenance is required. We understand that these areas are not talked about enough, but we can break this down, simplify the process and uncover common confusion and misconceptions around solar PV.

How does solar work?

A big misconception is that in order to own solar panels you need to live in an area that is always sunny. This is simply not true – anyone can have solar! The panels will always receive direct day light even on cloudy and rainy days.

The photovoltaic cells on the panels turn the light into direct current electricity. This current flows into an inverter and converts it to alternative electricity, which is then fed through a meter and then into your homes consumer units. Your system will automatically use the free electricity you generate but any energy you do not use, will be exported to the National Grid.

To avoid this, people invest in a solar battery system to store more of the energy they use – ready for the colder, darker days.

How much can you save?

This is a big confusion most people have when shopping for solar panels. Let’s use an example:

If a house is using 6000kW (kilowatt’s) a year, and then you were to install a 4kW solar panel system – over half of the energy used would potentially come from the solar system, saving you 50% of the energy bill.

If you’re at home most of the day, then you will see quicker and more obvious savings as you will be directly using your solar power during peak times when solar power is most effective.

But if you’re not home most of the day and use energy in the evening, your savings will reduce as most of your energy will be going back to the National Grid. Again, this is why people look to invest in battery storage systems to harness more of the energy they make.

You can also earn money from your solar panels – by signing up to the Smart Export Guarantee system and do Grid trading. Note that the SEG only applies to people who installed their solar panels after 31st March 2019.

This is just another great way to encourage people to use renewable energy to power their homes.

Are solar panels hard to maintain?

To confirm, solar panels are definitely ‘fit and forget’ technology – but this should not be taken so literally, solar panel maintenance is still required. Your panels will come with warranties and guarantees but to conduct your own check-ups, we made a simple solar panel maintenance checklist:

– Clean your panels once a year to ensure maximum efficiency (but if you cannot access the roof yourself, always get a professional cleaning company that offers a solar panel cleaning service). If you would rather do this yourself, be sure to use a soft brush, as a scourer will scratch the panels and cause a lot of damage which can be costly to repair. Also, make sure to use lots of water to wash away any excess soap.

– Make a conscious reminder to check your panels for any debris. Overtime there could be a build or an unfortunate storm may hit your area causing lots of debris and this can result in your panels underperforming due to the photovoltaic (PV) cells being blocked. To remove this you should hire a cleaning company to ensure the mess has been removed properly and that your panels are receiving direct sunlight.

– The life span of solar panels last around 20 – 25 years, and if your system is failing this will most likely be down to your inverter – which typically needs replacing after 10 years. Replacing this will only maximise your energy production and again, potentially provide more energy that can be sold to the Grid.

It’s no secret that solar power is having its moment in the sun and will only become more popular, with fossil fuels becoming increasingly less competitive. But confusion around their functionality and maintenance is still an ongoing issue for some people and one of the main reasons for this is because other companies use lots of industry jargon. This is not exactly helpful, if we want to be able to meet our climate targets and avoid irreparable damage to our home. Whilst toxic, fossil fuel prices in the UK will continue to rise, you could be providing clean air and cheaper energy. Don’t forget, for your green efforts you could even make money back!

Start your solar energy journey with us
Our team are more than happy to take your call and organise a video consultation to show you how we design a system that works for you. We can then send over to you a free, no obligation quote!

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e      designteam@solarcentric.co.uk

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