How to buy solar panels Solar panels explained
In a single hour the sun transmits more energy to the earth's surface than the world uses in a year. This guide outlines how you can use solar technology to make use of this free source of energy to generate electricity and hot water for you home.
Solar technology is still expensive, but a government scheme (called feed-in tariffs or FIT) means you can now receive cash for the electricity you generate using photovoltaic solar panels.
Solar panels enable you to harness the sun's energy
Before you install solar technology
You should ensure that your home is as energy efficient as it can be before considering installing solar technology, by installing or improving measures such as loft insulation, solid or cavity wall insulation, double glazing, and an efficient boiler – especially if your motivation for installing solar panels is cutting your bills.
The Energy Saving Trust's home energy generation selector tool can help you identify which, if any, renewable technologies are most suitable for installation in your home. We recommend that you read our guide on how to buy solar photovoltaics and how to buy solar water heating panels. This is especially important as we have found some evidence that some solar panel salesmen are mis-selling products.
Types of solar power technology
Active solar power
Active solar power involves installing a solar collector, usually a panel, to collect energy. No longer just the domain of specialist retailers, solar panels are now available from some DIY stores, including B&Q.
The two main types of active solar panel systems are solar water heating and photovoltaic (PV) solar panels.
While they might look similar, and both consist of panels on your roof, solar water heating and solar PV are quite different.
Solar PV or solar electricity uses the energy from the sun to produce electricity which you can then use in your home and/or export onto the grid. Solar PV is an expensive technology (£10,000 for an average system) but financial support is currently available under the feed-in tariff scheme.
Solar water heating, also referred to as solar thermal or solar heating, uses energy from the sun to heat up water. It is mostly used to heat up your domestic hot water system. Solar water heating costs between £3,000 and £5,000, so is cheaper than solar PV. You can get £300 towards the purchase of a solar water heating system until 31 March 2012 through the Renewable Heat Incentive Premium Payment.
Passive solar power
Passive solar power involves designing or redesigning your home to make the most of the sun. For example, you might add an extra south-facing window or more insulation to your roof so you can better capture the sun's heat, and for longer. These 'passive' elements can be added when a house is built or undergoes major refurbishment.
Solar checklist
Which? has produced a downloadable solar PV installation checklist, which highlights the things you need to consider before having solar PV installed.
The checklist was developed with the support of REAL (Renewable Energy Assurance Limited), the Energy Saving Trust, MCS (Microgeneration Certificate Scheme) and trade association BPVA (the British Photovoltaic Association).
Replay our solar panels live Q&A
Our team of experts were inundated with questions from homeowners considering their solar options during our live Q&A, covering everything from energy savings and feed-in tariffs to installation, inverters and maintenance.
Missed it? You can rewind and replay all the action at Which.co.uk/solarlive.
- Sign up to The Big Switch and get the best energy deal
- Make the right choice: Is it worth investing in solar panels?
- Expert advice: Solar panel jargon explained
