Solar Energy Advantages and Disadvantages in 2024

Interested in installing solar panels in the UK? Here are a few things you need to know before you get the process started, especially in terms of the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy. With this knowledge, you can make an informed decision regarding your new solar panel installation. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through solar energy’s advantages and disadvantages and help you figure out whether solar panels are the right choice for your home. However, if you’re still on the fence by the end of this article, you’ll want to consult a solar panel installer who can address all your questions and concerns. 

Don’t waste hours of your precious time scrolling through endless installation companies. We’re here to help you find a reliable installer to talk to. Just fill in our 30-second form and we’ll connect you with up to 4 local solar panel installers we personally vetted. Simply click below to get started now! 

Before investing in solar energy solutions, you should carefully consider whether they are the right fit for your home. One of the easiest ways to determine this is by weighing the pros and cons of solar energy. These are:

There are several benefits to switching to solar energy. With this renewable energy source, you can lower your home’s reliance on fossil fuels and save up to £1,005 on your energy bills per year. You can find out more about the advantages of solar panels below: 

Solar panels are a renewable energy source that allows you to reduce your dependence on fossil fuels to power your home. They operate by converting sunlight into usable electricity and can do so year-round, ensuring that you minimise your reliance on the electricity grid. 

However, it’s important to note that you can only use the energy produced by your solar panels while it’s being generated. This means that when it’s dark out, you won’t be able to use solar energy unless you also invest in a solar battery to store the excess electricity generated by your solar panels.

One of the most attractive benefits of solar panels is the fact that they can help you reduce your yearly electricity bills. Savings range from £440 to £1,005, and they depend on the size of your home and your energy consumption requirements. 

You can find an overview of the estimated annual savings you can expect once you install solar panels below:

Solar panels can function efficiently for up to 25 - 30 years, depending on the make and model of your system. This means that once you install your system, you’ll be able to enjoy free, clean electricity for years to come. 

Additionally, you’ll be able to break even on your investment in solar energy in about 7 - 13 years, depending on the solar system size you require. So, for the second half of your system’s lifespan, you’ll get to make the most of the savings it allows for.

The UK government offers several solar panel grants to homeowners looking to switch to low-carbon energy systems. This way, homeowners can reduce the financial burden of investing in solar energy. 

Currently, you can apply for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) Scheme or the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2) to save between £1,600 and £10,000 respectively on your solar panel installation. At the same time, the 0% VAT measure on solar panels can help you save up to £2,850 for an average household.  

Finally, with the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), you can export excess energy generated by your solar panels back to the grid and receive payments of around £85 on average, based on an example tariff rate of 5.5p/kWh. With all these incentives available, you can avoid breaking the bank when installing solar panels for your home.

Once installed, your solar panels will require little to no maintenance. All you need to do is check that dirt or debris haven’t accumulated on their surface.

To ensure that your system can operate efficiently, you may need to clean your solar panels periodically (typically about 1 - 2 times per year). You can either opt to tackle the cleaning project on your own or use the services of a professional, which can cost around £25 - £35 for a basic cleaning job.

Solar panels can operate efficiently all year, as they rely on sunlight or daylight to generate energy. That said, the efficiency of solar panels peaks during the summer months. This is simply because there are more sunlight hours in a day, allowing for increased energy production. 

That doesn’t mean that your solar panels don’t produce any energy at all in the winter months. However, you may notice a decrease in your system’s power output, meaning that you may need to rely more on the electricity grid or on your solar battery for consistent energy supply during the winter. 

Ready to reap these impressive benefits? Then your next step is to find a reliable installer to work with. Looking for one on your own can be tedious and drag on for hours. Thankfully, we can help you skip the hassle by sending you up to 4 solar panel quotes from installers in our network. Simply click below to request free, no-obligation quotes today!

While there are multiple benefits to installing solar panels, they also have some drawbacks. The primary disadvantages of solar panels include:

Currently, solar panels in the UK cost anywhere from £2,500 - £13,000, depending on the solar panel size of your system. If you include a solar battery, the costs will be even higher. Below, you can find an indication of the cost of solar panels and batteries for different household sizes: 

While the costs are significant, it’s also worth considering that there are multiple solar panel grants you could make use of to ease the financial burden of investing in solar energy. 

At the same time, if you’re wondering: “Do solar panels increase home value?” then the answer is yes. By investing in solar energy, you can increase the value of your property by as much as £3,053. So, if you’re looking to sell your home in the future, adding solar panels may prove financially advantageous to you in the long run.

Some roof types might not be suitable for a solar panel installation. This is the case for thatched roofs or roofs made from wooden shingles or overly reflective materials.

It’s also good to know that if you have a flat roof you can install solar panels, but you may need to spend more on extra mounting equipment to properly position your system. 

This is because the optimal angle for solar panels is between 30° and 40°, as this allows them to operate most efficiently. At the same time, you’ll be able to enjoy the most power output from your panels if you position them on a south-facing part of your roof, as they’ll be most consistently exposed to sunlight throughout the day in this direction. 

Depending on the size of your solar system, solar panels can take up between 8 and 32m² of roof space. If you’re wondering, “How many solar panels do I need?” you can check the table below for an overview. It also indicates how much space different numbers of solar panels take up on your roof:

So, before installing solar panels, it’s important to consider whether you have enough roof space available or whether their space requirements will be an issue for your home. 

Yes, going solar can be worth it if you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint, as well as your yearly energy bills! Not only that, but some other advantages of solar energy include reduced reliance on the electricity grid, low maintenance, and year-round energy production. 

That said, it’s important to be mindful of the drawbacks of solar panels before deciding to invest in them. Their primary disadvantage is their high initial cost. However, there are a few ways to avoid these steep prices. One of them is making use of the solar panel funding options available in the UK. The other is to compare multiple quotes from installers to secure the best deal for your home. 

Looking for installers on your own can be a daunting task that takes up hours or even days of your precious time. Fortunately, with our free, non-binding quotes service, you can get started in just 30 seconds. Just fill in our short form and we’ll send you quotes from up to 4 local solar panel installers. Click below to get started now!