Are you thinking about having solar panels installed but feeling left in the “dark” – then don’t worry! We're here to shine some light (pun intended) on the 10 topmost googled questions about solar panels in the UK.
- How Do Solar Panels Work?
- How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?
- Are Solar Panels Worth It?
- How Long Do Solar Panels Last?
- Do Solar Panels Work During Cloudy Days?
- Do Solar Panels Need Cleaning?
- Can Solar Panels Completely Power a Home?
- What Are the Environmental Benefits of Solar Panels?
- Are there any grants for solar panels?
There are tens of thousands of homeowners just like you searching for answers about solar panels each month.
As MCS-certified installers and Which? approved experts, we're here to answer your questions based on our extensive knowledge and hands-on experience on the ground in the UK.
Let’s dive in! 🤿
How Do Solar Panels Work?
~2,100 Searches Per Month
Solar panels – those mysterious electric rectangles that silently soak up the sun like a lizard in Benidorm – but how on earth do they work? – some say there are tiny hamsters on invisible treadmills powering them up – unfortunately this isn’t true, but it would be cute!
Solar works through a process called – photovoltaic – this is when the sunlight hits the panels and excites the electrons in the silicon cells splattered across the panel – almost as excited as a kid when the Lego movie came out.
This creates an electrical current (DC) which is harnessed and converted into useable power in your home (AC) – it’s as simple as that! – thanks big flaming ball in the sky!
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?
~1,700 Searches Per Month
“One million dollars!” – well not quite, good news is that it’s nowhere near that expensive (thankfully) – on average a residential solar system in the UK costs between £5,000 & £12,000 depending on the size of the system and whether you choose to add a battery.
Size is ultimately the answer (this time no pun intended!) this means smaller systems which come with fewer panels and an overall less kwh production will be significantly cheaper to have a huge 50+ panel system!
While the upfront cost might send you running for the hills, it’s important to consider the long-term financial investment and environmental benefits you’ll gain with your system.
Are Solar Panels Worth It?
~2,400 Searches Per Month
Absolutely they are! – Solar Panels can slash your electricity bills like dread pirate roberts in the princess pride, protect you from energy price hikes and even allow you to sell your excess generated energy right back to the grid for nice profit!
Homes with solar panels are often a lot more attractive to buyers due to their long-term savings potential – studies have shown that solar-equipped homes often sell fast at higher prices than those without.
Solar Panels can also massively reduce your carbon footprint and let you give fossil fuels the cold shoulder – instead of relying on ancient dinosaur juice to power your home – Mother Nature approves!!
How Long Do Solar Panels Last?
~1,100 Searches Per Month
Most Solar panels come with a 25 – 30-year warranty, but often the keep working long beyond that, think of them like Black Sabbath – you thought they were gone after the 90’s but they’re still around – unfortunate for some!
Overtime your panels will lose their efficiency as they age, so it’s important to get your system checked over by a qualified MCS installer every few years to ensure you’re not missing out on those massive energy savings.
It’s key to get your solar panels cleaned at least once a year – especially with how often the british weather changes – often your local window cleaner will help you out with this for an extra bit of pocket money- so worth an ask next time they scare you whilst you’re in the bath!
Do Solar Panels Work During Cloudy Days?
~300 Searches Per Month
Yes, they do! – It’s a myth that Solar Panels require direct sunlight to generate electricity – of course this helps with efficiency, but it isn’t a requirement! – even on gloomy UK days when the sky is about as cheerful as a Monday morning (which is pretty much every day!) they’ll still produce power – just at a lower efficiency then they would on a nice summer’s day.
Let’s not miss out everyone’s favourite! – the rain – unlike your car which requires a full cleaning service after every downpour or bit of dirt gets on it – rain is actually incredibly helpful for solar panels – imagine mother nature is giving you a free car wash, except its for your solar panels, allowing you to rest easy knowing your solar panels are getting their own spa treatment – just don’t go putting cucumber on them as this won’t help!
Heatable offer the Enphase microinverters as an optimisation option for solar systems, these allow the panels to turn on earlier & shutdown later – even on cloudier days! – whilst it isn’t officially stated, studies found on our customers systems show that having microinverters can provide a 10% increase in your annual solar generation!
Explore a Solar Case Study: Check out an insightful Q&A session featured in one of our detailed case studies on domestic solar panels. Hear directly from a Heatable customer in the UK and gain valuable perspectives on their experience here.
The image above shows a 23-panel solar installation, carried out by the MCS-certified solar team at Heatable, featuring the REA Fusion2 solar panels.
Do Solar Panels Need Cleaning?
~300 Searches Per Month
Solar Panels are surprisingly very low maintenance, like your average houseplant which you’ll only remember to water once every few weeks, they’re incredibly self-sufficient and quietly work away with demanding much attention
As previously mentioned, it’s advised to have an MCS qualified installer to come round every few years to check over the system and ensure that your panels aren’t planning for an early retirement.
If you notice overtime that your panels performance drops, it might be because something is casting a shadow over your panels, so worth getting the garden trimmers out and cutting down any branches which might be in the way.
Still, learning about solar? Check out our guides on how many solar panels you need and how solar car charging works.
Can Solar Panels Completely Power a Home?
~10,000 Searches Per Month
Yes, they can, if you have enough of them – with the right battery storage and number of panels, you can wave sayonara to your energy bill – just make sure you set yourself up with the right energy tariff for your system!
As tempting as it is to go full solar hermit, the average solar owner goes for a hybrid system approach – which keeps them connected to the grid for backup – so you’ll get the best of both worlds, especially if the sun decides to be lazy and doesn’t want to come out!
Typical solar systems can meet up to 60-80% of your energy consumption, but it depends on the size/location of your roof and your local climate (which in the UK is never amazing!) – it’s always worth adding a few extra panels to ensure your energy needs are fully covered.
What Are the Environmental Benefits of Solar Panels?
~10,000 Searches Per Month
Apart from making your next-door neighbours incredibly jealous, solar panels help to reduce carbon emissions and remove your dependency on those horrible fossil fuels (dinosaur juice 🦖) – they overall help to make our planet greener🌲
They produce zero emissions whilst still generating electricity, so you’re of peace of mind knowing that you’re saving the planet whilst making money – and making you an eco-superhero
If you have an immersion heater, you’re able to divert excess solar generation to heat the water in your home by use of a Solar IBoost (Heatable can offer you one of these as an additional part of your installation) – this reduces the reliability on your boiler, ultimately making your system greener!
Are there any grants for solar panels?
~1,500 Searches Per Month
Looking to install solar panels but concerned about costs? The good news is that the UK offers several grants and incentives that could make your solar investment more affordable. Here's what you need to know:
The Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) scheme offers up to £14,000 for eligible low-income households with energy efficiency ratings between D and G, running until March 2026. For those in participating areas, the Home Upgrade Grant provides up to £10,000 through select local authorities in England.
The new Warm Homes Plan, launched in January 2025, provides funding up to £30,000 for solar installations, specifically targeting low-income households, renters, and social housing tenants. Additionally, the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme lets you earn money by selling excess solar energy back to the grid.
Other financial benefits include VAT-free solar panels until 2027, and Scottish residents can access up to £6,000 in interest-free loans through Home Energy Scotland. Local authorities may offer additional regional grants, so it's worth checking what's available in your area.
With these various support options available, solar power is becoming increasingly accessible for UK homeowners. While some previous schemes like the Green Homes Grant have ended, current incentives could significantly reduce your installation costs.
You can read more about the potential funding you could recieve in our complete guide on solar panels grants here and if you are a charity, you can now get VAT free solar installation.
Next Steps For Your Solar Journey:
When planning to install solar panels for your home, there are several important factors to consider. Make sure to refer to the following guides to help you make informed decisions:
To dive deeper into these topics, head over to our advice section, check out our YouTube channel for informative videos, or read a customer case study to see how others have benefited from their solar installation.
Get a Quote for Solar Today
Without boasting you should get your solar installed with us, here's why:
Thousands of Happy Customers: We boast an average score of 4.9 on Trustpilot, outperforming the market leader.
Which? Trusted Trader: Heatable is proudly recognised as a Which? Trusted Trader.
MCS Accredited: Our accreditation by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) ensures high-quality standards.
Exclusive Panels: We offer REA Fusion solar panels, available only through Heatable.
Consumer Protection: As members of the HIES consumer code, we provide 2-year deposit protection.
Flexible Payment Options: Choose from multiple payment methods, including finance options.
Fixed Price Guarantee: Enjoy transparency with no hidden costs.
Save Your Quote: You can save your quote and decide later.
Bespoke Design Tool: Draw your own conclusion (literally) on whether solar is worth it for you, here.
