Are you wondering what the pros and cons of solar energy are? And wanting a more balanced analysis? Here we do just that.
Thinking of having solar panels installed on your property?
Naturally, if you are contemplating a solar installation in the near future you’ll want to weigh up their pros and cons before making a final decision.
So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of energy?
And how does solar compare with the alternatives?
And just what superpowers will the harnessing of the sun get you anyway?
Let’s explore...
PS We offer MCS-certified solar panel installation nationwide. Simply answer these questions, get your fixed price and arrange your free design.
Solar Energy Pros & Cons Comparison Table
The table below shows the disadvantages and advantages of solar energy:
Pros of Solar Energy: | Cons of Solar Energy: |
Reduces Energy Bills | Significant Upfront Costs |
Emits Zero Carbon | Requires Adequate Roof Space |
Renewable Energy | Weather Dependant |
Low Maintenance | Solar Panel Pollution |
What is Solar Energy?
Solar energy is simply the energy we can harness from the natural sunlight that comes from the sun.
A solar panel is a device that can convert this sunlight or solar energy into an electric current that we can then utilise to power our homes.
To be a little more specific, solar panels consist of photovoltaic cells.
These cells are fitted between various semiconducting materials.
When the sun’s photons strike solar panels, it energises these materials and results in a direct current (DC).
Next, the solar panel system’s inverter will convert DC current into alternating current (AC) electricity, which can then be used by our homes to ensure that your phone is charged enough to watch all the cute cat videos your heart can handle.
Pros and Cons of Solar Energy:
But is solar energy all good?
Here we explore the most common advantages and critiques.
We also highlight where some of these traditional criticisms may no longer be as relevant due to advancements in solar technology.
Advantages of Solar Energy
#1 Renewable and Clean Energy
First and foremost, solar energy is a renewable and clean source of energy.
The obvious advantage of energy that is renewable is its sustainability benefits i.e. there is no risk of it ever running out (Did we mention unlimited cat videos?).
Beyond that, solar panels will remain a prominent and legally acceptable form of energy production for generations to come.
Really, there’s no reason to assume solar panels would prove a legal hindrance to you in your lifetime.
In contrast, an LPG storage tank (to give an example) would be a less reliable investment in terms of its long-term value since it’s possible that LPG boilers could be phased out and made illegal in the coming decades.
Beyond that, solar panels are a clean source of energy, since they emit zero carbon.
They do not pollute the environment and, therefore, by using solar energy you’ll lower your carbon footprint and help with the push toward a carbon-neutral and eventually zero-carbon world Kier Starmer might even thank you himself.
Aside from being a renewable and clean source of energy, solar power can also potentially offer you energy independence.
The more energy self-reliant you are, the less susceptible you will be to changing energy prices in the wider market helping you to better weather future energy crises.
PS You can check the average costs of solar panels here.
#2 Saves You Money on Your Electricity Bills
This is a particularly topical subject right now with the ongoing energy crisis.
But even when energy prices become more affordable, solar panels can help you save on your electricity bills - if not potentially wipe them out entirely.
How much you’d save would, of course, depend on what percentage of your electricity is sourced from your solar panels. And how many hair dryers your household uses all at once.
But even a handful of medium-output solar panels could significantly reduce your electricity bills (maybe even cut them in half or better).
#3 Low Maintenance Costs
While solar panels, like anything, will wear down over time, they tend to have fairly low maintenance costs.
For instance, you will need to keep them clean to ensure they continue to receive maximum sunlight exposure, but this only requires giving them a clean a few times each year.
You can even do this task yourself, but you would need to take the necessary safety steps such as (if accessing your panels at a height using a ladder), a second person firmly holding the ladder from the bottom to avoid a trip to the hospital and going viral thanks to your neighbour’s security cams.
But even if you’re not comfortable with taking it on yourself, you wouldn’t end up spending much on hiring professionals to clean your solar panels a few times a year.
Keeping on top of other potential causes of shade may also be required e.g., overhanging branches which could also fall on top of your panels leading to damage (to the panels, the branches are of no concern).
Additionally, most reliable solar panel manufacturers offer 20-25 years warranty - some (like ourselves) even offer an insurance company-backed warranty for added peace of mind.
Typically, the only part of the solar system that needs to be replaced every 10 years is the inverter.
All in all, with the right steps, you’re looking at spending very little on keeping your panels healthy and functioning for decades to come.
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.
#4 Long Lasting Energy Systems
Solar panels tend to have substantial longevity.
In fact, most solar panels, if properly maintained, last around 25-30 years.
With that being said, the durability of solar panels can vary a lot, especially with those overhanging branches.
The best way of telling how long solar panels are likely to last before their output has significantly reduced is to look at the warranty offered by the manufacturer.
On the one hand, you’ll find some manufacturers offering warranties of just 12 years or less, however, many offer warranties in the range of 25-40 years.
And, even better, some of the best solar panels on the market offer an insurance-backed warranty (like Heatable).
That's a huge bonus since there the industry has been plagued with failing solar panel companies, having your warranty backed by a third-party insurance company provides added peace of mind.
#5 You Can Sell Excess Energy Back to the Grid
Not only can solar panels reduce your electricity bills, but they may even bring in revenue. That’s a better solution to your bills than using a drying rack instead of a dryer.
This is because it’s possible to sell excess solar energy back to the national grid.
You can do this thanks to the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
This is a government-backed support mechanism which mandates that certain energy providers (known as SEG licensees) must purchase renewable energy from small-scale generators.
Moreover, the SEG initiative was set up in January 2020 and covers Great Britain but not Northern Ireland. Sorry, neighbours!
Here is the UK’s list of mandatory SEG licensees:
E
British Gas
OV Energy
The Utility Warehouse
EDF
Bulb
E.ON
Shell Energy
Octopus Energy
Scottish Power
ESB
Utilita
There are also several voluntary SEG licensees.
Each SEG licensee sets its own terms, such as how much it would pay per kWh of electricity and whether or not its contract would cover battery storage.
#6 May Increase Your Property’s Value
If someday you decide to move home and leave your solar panels behind, they’ll still be able to offer you one last benefit before you relocate. A goodbye present, so to speak.
Solar panels will often increase the value of a property since the new homeowners could significantly benefit from the installation in terms of reduced electricity bills.
On average, a solar panel system will raise the value of a property by around 4%.
Disadvantages of Solar Energy
#1 Expensive to Buy & Install
There's no escaping the fact that buying solar panels and paying to have them professionally installed doesn’t come cheap.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, the average cost is £5,500 for a 3.5-kilowatt system.
A 3.5kW solar panel system is one of the most commonly installed systems in the UK and would typically require around 10 solar panels (at 350 W each) and cost between £5,000 and £10,000, or approximately the price of a wedge of cheese these days.
How much the solar system you want would actually cost would depend on various factors including:
The type and quality of the solar panels.
The number of solar panels being installed.
Where you are located in the UK (since labour prices differ from region to region).
The complexity of the installation.
How accessible is the installation area is.
#2 Requires Adequate Space/Area
Obviously to have several or more solar panels installed will require sufficient roof space.
In fact, in the UK, a single solar panel typically has a size of around 1.6 square meters (17.2 square feet) to 2 square meters (21.5 square feet) and has a power output of between 250 and 400 watts.
For example, a typical 3-4 kW solar panel system in the UK may require around 20-25 square meters (215-270 square feet) of roof space, and a 4-5 kW system may require around 30-35 square meters (322-377 square feet) of roof space.
As a result, you need at least an average-sized roof to benefit from solar, yet if you do not, there are other options like shed and garage roofs, as well as utilising ground-mounted solar arrays, and strapping a panel to your back while you’re gardening.
#3 Not All Roofs Are Suitable
Unfortunately, not every roof is suited to a solar panel installation.
Ideally, a roof should be south-facing to reap maximum rewards from solar.
However, east and west-facing roofs can still benefit significantly from solar, especially if utilising a system optimised for low light.
Moreover, even if a roof is south-facing, some older properties will not have the right materials or strength needed to have solar panels installed.
Of course, in some cases, it may still be possible to add solar panels, but your roof might require strengthening, which would add to the overall costs of installing solar. On the other hand, it does keep your roof from collapsing, so it’s a win-win.
The good news is that assessing the suitability of your roof is part of any reputable solar company's process, like our own.
#4 Weather Can Have an Effect
While solar energy definitely can work in Britain, the sunlight hours you will receive will change throughout the course of the year.
Therefore, how much energy you’ll generate will vary depending on the time of year.
But this can also be hugely impacted by the type of solar system you use.
For example, at Heatable we have designed a solar array optimised for low light conditions, making it ideal for a country like the UK. Please, hold your applause until the end.
For instance, each solar panel works together with its own Enphase microinverter that locally converts the DC power generated by the panel into AC power that can be used in your home immediately - AC is what household appliances and circuits use and it is also much safer than a DC current.
It also means the panels will start generating electricity in low light (requiring just 22 volts) – compare this to typical panels that utilise a string inverter that requires at least 200 volts to even begin energy generation - again, this makes them perfect for a cloudy place like the UK.
#5 Intermittent Energy Source?
Since sunlight exposure depends on factors out of our control, the amount of energy generated can also be considered intermittent or not consistent.
However, at Heatable we offer our domestic solar systems with battery storage, which largely alleviates this issue.
For example, having a battery means you are able to use more of the energy generated by your solar and have a reliable backup in the evenings.
Having a storage battery also means you can draw from the grid when energy prices are at their lowest, further helping you to reduce your energy costs.
#6 You Can’t Really Move Them
If you someday decide to move home, it’s not really a financially sound option to have your solar panels moved with you.
You’d likely have to spend thousands of pounds (and maybe even close to the initial installation cost - including the price of the panels themselves) if you wanted to have solar panels taken down from the roof of one property, transported, and attached to the roof of another property.
Are Solar Panels Worth it in the UK?
Ultimately, whether or not solar panels are a worthy investment will depend on your budget, goals and your property's location and available roof space.
Solar energy has a lot to offer in terms of reducing your electricity bills.
Ultimately, the more energy you consume from your solar vs the grid, the greater the financial benefits and the shorter the break-even point.
However, there is no denying that the upfront costs of having solar installed are significant, yet the breakeven point is now at its lowest point ever.
Check out our complete guide on the costs of solar and whether solar is worth it in the UK here.
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.
