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Why Now is the Best Time to Install Solar Panels Are you considering installing solar panels for your home or business? If so, now is the best time to do it. In recent years, solar panel technology has advanced significantly, making it more affordable and accessible than ever before. In this blog post, we'll explore why now is the best time to install solar panels. Lower Costs One of the biggest reasons why now is the best time to install solar panels is the significant reduction in the cost of solar technology. Over the past decade, the cost of solar panels has decreased by over 80%, making it more affordable for homeowners and businesses to invest in renewable energy. Additionally, many states and local governments offer financial incentives and tax credits for those who install solar panels. This can significantly reduce the upfront costs of solar panel installation, making it an even more attractive option for those looking to save money on their energy bills. Energy Independence Another compelling reason to install solar panels now is the potential for energy independence. By generating your own electricity, you are less reliant on the grid and the fluctuating costs of traditional energy sources. This can provide peace of mind and stability in the face of uncertain energy prices. Moreover, solar energy is a clean, renewable resource that is not subject to the same supply and demand pressures as fossil fuels. By investing in solar energy, you are doing your part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. Increased Home Value Installing solar panels can also increase the value of your home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, homes with solar panels installed sell for 4.1% more than homes without them. This means that you can potentially recoup the costs of your solar panel installation when you sell your home in the future. Additionally, solar panels are an attractive feature to potential buyers, especially those who are environmentally conscious or looking for energy-efficient homes. This can help your home stand out in a competitive real estate market. Long-Term Savings Finally, installing solar panels now can result in significant long-term savings on your energy bills. While the initial investment may seem high, the savings on your energy bills over time can add up quickly. In fact, most solar panel systems pay for themselves within 5-10 years, after which you can enjoy years of virtually free electricity. Conclusion In conclusion, there has never been a better time to install solar panels. With lower costs, potential energy independence, increased home value, and long-term savings, solar energy is a smart investment for both homeowners and businesses. By making the switch to solar energy now, you can reduce your carbon footprint, save money, and enjoy the many benefits of renewable energy.

Why combine solar panels with battery storage? If you have your own solar panels, your energy bills will be reduced due to your energy self-consumption. This is because it is cheaper to use the electricity your solar PV has generated directly at your home rather than purchasing it through an energy company. If you have a solar PV system and are not at home during the day to use the energy produced by the panels, then a battery will help you use that energy later on, cutting your electricity bills. A battery is the right decision for many people, but you don’t need to take our word for it, as Which? Conducted a survey by 119 solar battery owners in May 2019, with almost 75% of those asked stating that battery storage has helped them save money on electricity to a great extent or some extent. Self-consumption is intrinsically tied to the concept and functionality of solar panels. One of the main aims of solar panels is to help homeowners become self-sufficient in electricity production. When the sun is shining during the daytime, you can meet your consumption needs by using your household appliances. Without a battery storage system, when nighttime comes, and your solar panels have clocked off for the day, you will return to being dependent on energy suppliers for all of your needs. Batteries solve this issue by storing excess energy for use when your panels cannot generate any green energy. Read more about “Solar self-consumption: What is it and the best ways to increase it.” What are the benefits of investing in solar battery storage? As is becoming evident, solar battery storage systems are a key component in truly becoming independent from grid energy and carry with them many attractive advantages, including: You optimise the usage of your self-generated green electricity Solar panels are environmentally friendly as they generate 100% renewable energy; however, this energy source is completely reliant on what time of the day it is. Solar battery storage solves this by holding the additional energy generated – allowing you to use less of the UK national grid’s power supply…reducing your carbon footprint even further. In fact, a recent study has found that battery storage increases self-consumption above 50% and could be the cornerstone for unsubsidised residential PV systems moving forward thanks to their efficiency. Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MSC) provided further details with an average household utilising 35 - 50% of the generated system without a battery. However, they stated that battery storage could raise this level to as high as 80%! Increased rates are dependent on if you are in the house for much of the day. You save on your energy bill Whilst a standard solar PV system will help you cut down energy consumption during the day; it is during the evening when solar battery storage can discharge the stored electricity, providing you with renewable-generated electricity at no additional cost. According to E.ON, in central England, a 9.6 kWh solar battery storage system (with 12 x 315W panels) might allow you to utilise up to 30% more of the energy generated by your solar panels and save up to £560 on your annual energy bills. This helps you make further cuts to your energy bill. Read our blog post on how to save money on your energy bills with a solar PV system. You are more energy independent Generating your own electricity with your solar panels and storing your surplus on your home battery makes you more independent from the electricity grid. Companies that provide energy are constantly raising their prices to get more money from their clients. Purchasing a solar battery will be a significant step toward off-grid self-sufficiency as you are keeping your costs to the energy suppliers and the grid operator lower. Increase your solar self consumption with our handy tips. You are well prepared for later Being more independent from the UK electricity grid can help protect you from price changes that may occur throughout the year. If you make more use of your own generated electricity and therefore have to take less from the grid, the impact of rising energy prices will be lessened to an extent. You can retrofit existing solar PV systems with a battery storage system It's not a problem if you already have solar panels at home; you can easily add a solar battery to an existing solar PV system. The solar battery must be either AC-coupled or DC-coupled when installed, depending on the type of inverter used by your solar panels. The solar battery must be AC-coupled if your PV system includes a microinverter. This is the less expensive of the two solutions (because you won't have to replace the inverter), and the installation is simple.

With solar panels becoming more and more popular, people are beginning to ask: can I charge my electric car with solar panels? The answer is yes, you can! In this blog post, we'll explore how you can charge your electric car with solar panels and what you need to consider before making the switch. What Is an Electric Car & How Do You Charge One? An electric car is a vehicle that runs on electricity instead of petrol or diesel. Electric cars are becoming more popular because they're better for the environment, and they save money both on fuel and tax. Plus, in 2020, the UK government announced they would be taking a big step towards net-zero carbon emissions by ending the sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. You simply plug an electric car into a charge point to charge it. The amount of time it takes to charge an electric car depends on the size of the battery and the power of the charger; home chargers typically take the longest, while quicker chargers are available at petrol stations and supermarkets. No matter who your energy supplier is, you can plug your electric car into a normal plug socket at home and have it charge, but if your house runs on energy derived from natural gas or coal, then you're still widening your carbon footprint even if you do have an EV. However: if charging your electric car at home takes too long, you can have a dedicated EV charge point installed. While this does cost money upfront, you can charge your car quickly at home, using cheap (and potentially green) energy. Can You Charge an Electric Car with a Solar Panel System? Yes, you can! But if you want to be able to charge your electric car with solar panels, then you need to have a few things in place first. First, of course, you need solar panels installed on your house. Solar Together is a great way to get group-buying savings on solar panels and batteries. Alongside your solar panels, you should also have a solar battery installed. That's because solar panels generate electricity during the daytime, but at night your electric car will still need to be plugged in and draw power from the grid. A solar battery stores the extra electricity generated by your solar panels so that you can use it at night. Although not part of a standard Solar Together package, you may also want to add on an emergency power supply (EPS) so that your lights stay on and your EV keeps charging in the event of a power cut. There are two ways to charge an electric car with solar panels. The first is with a standard plug, and the second is with a specifically installed home-charge point. A home-charge point is a device installed by an electrician that connects your solar battery to your car. The advantage of a home charge point is that it charges your car faster than a standard plug which normally takes 12 hours or even longer if your car has a big battery. Why Install an EV Charge Point at Home? If you're thinking of installing solar panels and a solar battery to charge your electric car, you might wonder if it's worth installing a home-charge point. Here are a few reasons why it might be a good idea: If you already have solar panels installed, installing a quicker charge point helps you take advantage of it. For most people, an EV’s green credentials are one of the main reasons to get one, and charging it with your solar energy takes those credentials to the next level. Faster charging: A home-charge point charges your electric car faster than a standard plug. Whereas charging through a standard plug might take 12 hours, charging with a home-charge point might take 8 hours. Avoid battery degradation: If you charge your electric car through a fast charger at a petrol station or elsewhere, the battery will degrade over time. This means that it won't hold as much charge and will need to be replaced sooner. Charging with a home-charge point can help avoid this degradation. Better for the environment: If you're using solar panels to generate electricity, then charging your car with them is better than at a fast charge point powered by the national grid.

Are Solar Panels a Good Investment in 2023? The short answer is: it depends. Solar panels are a good investment for some homeowners and not a good investment for others. In general, solar panels make the most sense if you have to pay a lot for your electricity, have plenty of daylight-exposed roof space, and plan to stay in your home for several years. Solar panels can increase the value of your home. First things first, in the same way that adding an extension or getting a new kitchen makes your house worth more, solar panels immediately add value to your home. According to research by Solar Energy UK, “Analysis of more than five million property sales shows that installing PV on a typical home could increase its value by £1,891—£2,722. Solar property commands a price premium of c.0.9%—2%. This means that the sale price of a home can be increased by half the cost of installing a PV system itself.” Of course, your house value depends on lots of things. But if you're thinking of selling in the next few years, installing solar panels could be a good way to get a higher price. Solar Panels Save You Money on Bills With the cost of energy at an all-time high and the price cap having increased by £3,000 per year since 2021/2022 winter, saving money on your electricity bills has never been more important. Although solar PV won’t drastically reduce your bills, the savings can certainly help. Solar panels save you money on your electricity bill: when you use solar energy, you're not using energy from the grid that you would have to pay for. In most cases, the savings may seem small on a short-term basis, but over time, those savings add up. And if you live in an area with high electricity prices, your savings could be even greater. Plus, there are other ways to maximise your solar savings. For example, you can install a battery to store your solar panels' energy during the day and use it at night.