Why should you install solar panels?

Installing solar panels lets you use free, renewable, low carbon electricity. You can sell surplus electricity to the grid or store it for later use. According to low-carbon certification organisation MCS , there were more than 183,000 solar panel installations across the UK in 2023.

How do solar panels save energy?

Even still, the amount of power saved by only using power from the grid when the sun goes down massively reduces the fuel burned during the day. Solar panels gather energy from the sun and convert it into electricity, (or in the case of solar thermal panels, heat).

Do solar panels generate electricity?

That said, the rate at which solar panels generate electricity varies depending on the amount of direct sunlight and the quality, size, number and location of panels in use. Even in winter, solar panel technology is still effective; at one point in February 2022, solar was providing more than 20% of the UK’s electricity.1

Are solar panels good for the planet?

It’s important to remember how good solar panels are for the planet in general. Solar is an excellent and effective way of producing energy for your home or business. Solar power is clean and reduces our carbon footprint by a huge amount.

How do solar panels work?

When the sun shines on a solar panel, solar energy is absorbed by individual PV cells in the panel. These cells are made from layers of semi-conducting material, most commonly silicon. The PV cells produce an electrical charge as they become energised by the sunlight. This electrical charge creates a direct current (DC) of electricity.

How do solar panels work in the UK?

These systems use special mirrors to hyper-focus the sun’s rays to turn water into steam. The steam is then used as a heat source or in some systems it's used to power turbines and generate electricity. When you think about solar panels in the UK, there’s a good chance solar PV will come to mind.