How do I choose a solar panel?

Find out more about types of solar panels and other buying advice for solar panels. To help decide which type of solar cells to go for, look at cost per watt (£/W) of power output. You can do this by dividing the total cost of the solar system you are being quoted for by the total power output of the system.

Are solar panels scalable?

That’s right: solar panels are scalable, which means you can simply add panels to an existing system, instead of having to uproot it and build a bigger one. The same goes for solar energy storage. Many models of solar batteries are like LEGO bricks, in that they can be stacked into towers and/or arranged side-by-side. 7. They’re low maintenance

How do I choose a solar PV company?

Check local planning regulations to make sure you're allowed to install a solar PV system (see above). Check that the solar PV company is MCS certified and a member of the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC). Don't accept a price over the phone before the firm has visited. Get an Energy Performance Certificate for your home.

Are solar panels too expensive?

Read more: Find out how much solar panels cost. We've worked with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and surveyed more than 1,000 solar panel owners to give you costs by system size, house type and electricity production. Whether you feel that solar panels are 'too expensive' also depends on what you get in return.

Are solar thermal panels worth it?

Solar panels absorb the sun’s heat and convert it into electricity, whereas solar thermal systems transform the sun’s energy into heat for household water. Whilst solar panels’ popularity has exploded in recent years, some have questioned whether solar thermal panels are worth it, given they can only save an average of £1,350 over their lifetime.

Should you invest in solar panels?

More than a million homes in the UK now have solar panels. They're a guaranteed way to use truly renewable electricity, but many people are not sure about whether to invest. Some are put off by uncertainty about costs, others believe the installation will be disruptive and many worry that solar panels will be tricky to maintain.