Solar panels come with many benefits. They can give us more energy independence, make our electricity bills cheaper, and minimise our carbon footprint. So, it’s no wonder that 1.5 million households have had them installed.
However, as a relatively new technology that’s constantly evolving, there’s plenty of misunderstanding out there about solar panels – and this can make it tricky to decide whether they’re a good investment.
Below, we debunk some of the most common myths about solar panels, so you can make an informed choice about whether this popular home improvement is right for you.
Myth 1 – Solar panels only work when it’s sunny
Arguably the biggest myth about solar panels is that they only work when it’s sunny outside.
While it’s true that they’re most effective in direct sunlight, solar panels can still generate energy on overcast days. This is because plenty of light still passes through the clouds for the photovoltaic (PV) cells in the panels to absorb and convert into electricity. Think about it like how you can still get sunburned in the Mediterranean on cloudy days.
Even a little rain now and then can be good for your panels because it can wash away any dirt and grime, and help them function more efficiently.
However, the amount of energy your solar panels produce on cloudy days will depend on various factors – including how much cloud cover there is and which direction your panels face. As Alan Duncan, Founder of Solar Panels Network tells The Independent, they’ll usually generate between 10 and 25% of their sunny-day output when it’s cloudy.
Yet, as solar panel installer Heatable explains, “[N]ot all solar panels are created equal, especially in terms of their ability to harness light.” Cheaper options, such as ‘P-type’ or ‘PERC’ panels, need lots of direct sunlight to function properly, which can be an issue here in the UK when winter days are short and overcast skies are frequent.
With this in mind, it’s worth looking into high-performance solar panels that are specifically designed to work well in lower light conditions – such as Heatble’s REA Fusion2 panels.
Myth 2 – You can only use energy from your solar panels during the day
It used to be that you could only use the energy from your solar panels as they generated it – i.e. during daylight hours. Considering that many of us are out and about during the day and use the most energy during the evenings, this meant that solar panels weren’t always an effective solution for households.
Nowadays, though, solar customers have the option of including battery storage in their solar panel systems. This allows them to save energy for use when the sun isn’t shining – for example, at night.
Without a battery, The Eco Experts estimate that around 50% of your energy goes unused. You can sell this excess back to the grid (as we’ll talk about later in this article), but you can usually save more money by using what you generate.
It’s worth noting that solar batteries aren’t cheap. According to Money Saving Expert, prices range from £1,000-£10,000, but you can expect to pay around £5,000 for one.
This figure doesn’t include installation fees and the cost of the rest of your solar panel system – so it’s important to consider the investment carefully. In some cases, the savings from a solar battery won’t be worth the initial investment. Despite this, Heatable tells us that 99% of their customers choose battery storage.
Myth 3 – Solar panels aren’t worth the cost
Probably the most common thing that puts people off purchasing solar panels is the upfront costs. However, for many, investing in a high-quality system can offer significant savings over time.
The cost of your solar panel system will depend on various factors – including where you live, the type of panels you choose, and who installs them. However, the Energy Saving Trust says you can expect to pay around £7,000 for a typical system. This estimate doesn’t include solar battery storage, which, as we’ve mentioned, will cost around £5,000.
While this is undoubtedly a lot of money, Heatable estimates their typical customer can save £1,560 per year on energy bills by installing a solar panel system. This means they can earn back their initial £12,000 investment in seven and a half years. From then on, their solar panel system would only be saving them money.
Of course, the amount you can save will depend on lots of things – for example, the direction your roof faces and the cost of electricity in your area. And these financial gains won’t be realistic for some. However, hopefully, these figures can give you an idea of what savings are possible with solar panels.
Myth 4 – Solar panels are difficult to maintain
A great thing about solar panels is that they’re very simple to maintain. This is mainly because they have no moving parts, which reduces their risk of wear and tear. Plus, many installers, like Heatable, offer 25-year warranties that not only cover any defects in the panels but also performance degradation. So you can expect your system to last this long.
However, there are a few things you should consider doing to keep your solar panels in good working order – specifically, having them cleaned and serviced, which most experts suggest you do annually.
If your system uses a string inverter, you’ll also need to replace this once or twice during the lifespan of your solar panels. The Eco Experts estimate this will cost £500-£1,000. An inverter is a device in your solar system that converts the direct electrical current (DC) generated by your panels to an alternating current (AC), which your household appliances use.
It’s worth remembering that you’ll only have to do this if you choose a string converter over microinverters. Microinverters, the newer technology, generally have a life span of 25 years: the same as your solar panels.
Myth 5 – Installing solar panels is a hassle
Another reason why many people are put off installing solar panels is that they assume it’s a bit of a hassle. But the truth is, the process is usually simpler than you might think.
As Heatable tells us, it’ll usually only take one day to install a standard solar panel system in an average-sized home – one or two days if you choose battery storage.
Myth 6 – You need planning permission to install solar panels
In many cases, you won’t need planning permission to install solar panels on your home in the UK because they fall under the Government’s ‘Permitted Development Rights’. This allows homeowners to carry out reasonably sized home alterations.
However, you will need to send an application to your Distribution Network Operator (DNO), the organisation responsible for managing the power supplies in your area. Though, some installers, like Heatable, will take care of this for you.
There are some exceptional circumstances when you’ll need to apply for planning permission and jump through some other red tape. For example, if you live in a flat or listed building, if your home is built in a conservation area or World Heritage Site, and if you want to install a large solar panel array on the ground. This guide from the Independent can let you know more.
For renters in general, you must have permission from your landlord to install solar panels.
In any case, it’s worth checking with your local planning authority (LPA) – which is usually your local council. You don’t want to commit to solar panel installation, only to run into issues down the line. You can do this by following the links below.
Myth 7 – A typical solar panel system will let you go ‘off the grid’
As you can see from our previous myths, there are plenty of negative misconceptions floating around about solar panels. However, some misinformation paints solar panels in an unrealistically positive way too. One of the most common of these is that a typical solar panel system will let you go ‘off the grid’.
While it’s possible to power a house entirely on solar panels, this isn’t realistic for most people – from either a space or financial perspective. Not only would you need to splash out for a large solar panel array but you’d also need multiple solar batteries to store enough energy to meet your home’s needs.
Remember that solar panels experience a significant drop in performance during the winter. So you’d also need to store enough energy throughout the year to offset this.
With this in mind, instead of viewing solar panels as a chance to go entirely ‘off-grid’, it’s best to look at them as a way to reduce your dependency on the grid. While you’ll probably still have to buy energy to supplement your solar panels’ output, your bills can be significantly less expensive, which can lead to big savings over time.
Myth 8 – You can make a passive income by selling energy back to the grid
Another unrealistically positive myth we often hear is that you can earn significant amounts by selling your unused energy back to the grid.
You can indeed sell the energy you don’t use back to the grid under the government-run Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme. But this scheme may not be as generous as you might think. For example, the Energy Savings Trust estimates that an average household in the middle of the UK could make £220-£320 per year under the SEG scheme.
The SEG scheme works by connecting solar system owners with energy suppliers who pay them for their spare energy. How much they pay is almost entirely up to them, so rates can differ wildly. As with anything, it’s worth shopping around and finding the best rate.
Plus, in many cases, it’s worth storing the energy in your solar battery, if you have one, rather than selling it via the SEG scheme. This is because you’d probably need to buy more energy later down the line at a higher price than you would get by selling it.
Instead of viewing the SEG scheme as a moneymaker, try to view it as another way to bolster your solar savings.
Final thoughts…
As this list shows, there are plenty of myths about solar panels out there. But while we can provide information to help you decide whether they’re a good investment for you, the truth is that everyone’s situation is different.
For some, saving money on their electricity bills might be their guiding motivation for considering solar panels, while others might be doing it for the environmental impact. On the other hand, one person may feel that seven and a half years is a reasonable ‘break-even point’, while another won’t.
With this in mind, our main advice is to take your time with the decision. In general, solar panel prices are going down and the technology is getting better by the day, so there’s no need to rush into anything.
Are you thinking about installing solar panels in your home? Or have you already done so? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.