• Gas safe approved
  • Trusted since 1982
  • East Anglia’s largest heating company
  • One fixed price

Are Solar Panels right for your home in 2023?

Are Solar Panels right for your home in 2023 cover

Are you considering installing solar panels on your property but not sure if it's the right decision for you?

Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has always been an excellent option for those who want to generate their electricity and reduce their carbon footprint.

However is it a viable piece of technology for homeowners in 2023? In this article, we'll take a closer look at solar PV technology and help you decide if it's the right fit for your home.

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in 2023?

In the UK, the cost of a residential solar panel system can vary depending on the size of the system, the location of your property, and the quality of the equipment. On average, you can expect to pay around £6,050 to £10,075 before any incentives or schemes. Before the year is over these prices are likely to rise by around 10% to these prices, costing would be around £6,655 to £11,082.

Fortunately, there are various financing options available in the UK to make solar panels more affordable. The UK government offers incentives and tax credits for homeowners who install solar panels, including the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) and the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). Additionally, some solar companies offer leasing or financing options to make the upfront costs more manageable.

are solar panels right for your home

The Smart Export Guarantee

export payments

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a UK government initiative that encourages homeowners and small businesses to install renewable energy systems, including solar panels, by providing financial incentives. Under this scheme, homeowners who generate excess energy from their solar panels can sell it back to their energy supplier.

Since the SEG was introduced in January 2020, energy suppliers with over 150,000 customers are required to offer a SEG tariff to their customers who generate excess energy. The SEG tariff varies from supplier to supplier and is determined by the amount of energy you export to the grid. The SEG scheme is designed to make it easier for homeowners and small businesses to recoup the cost of their solar panel investment and reduce their energy bills.

Supplier Tariff Name Tariff Type  Tariff Length Tariff Rate (p/kWh) Payment Cycle Includes Battery Storage Must be on supplier import tariff
1 Tesla Tesla Energy Plan¹ Fixed 12-month fixed term 12.0p Unknown Yes (must be Tesla Powerwall) Yes (Octopus Energy)
2 Tesla Tesla Energy Plan² Fixed 12-month fixed term 10.0p Unknown Yes (must be Tesla Powerwall)  Yes (Octopus Energy)
3 British Gas Export & Earn Flex Currently Fixed No fixed end date 6.4p 3 months Yes No
4 Bulb Energy Export Payments Fixed No fixed end date 5.57p 3 months Yes Yes
5 E.ON Energy Next Export Exclusive Fixed 12-month fixed term  5.5p Unknown Unknown Yes
6 Octopus Energy
Outgoing Fixed
Fixed 12-month fixed term 4.1P Monthly Yes Yes
7 ScottishPower Smart Export Variable Tariff Fixed No fixed end date 5.5p 6 months Unknown No
8 OVO Energy OVO SEG Tariff Currently Fixed 12-month fixed term 4.0p 3 months Dependent on Installation No
9 SSE Smart Export Tariff Fixed No fixed end date 3.5p 12 months Unknown Yes
10 Shell Energy SEG V1Tariff Currently Fixed No fixed end date 3.5p 12 months Unknown Yes
12 E.ON Energy Next Export Fixed 12-month fixed term  3.0p Unknown Unknown No
13 EDF Energy
Export+Earn
Fixed 12-month fixed term 3.0p Unknown Unknown Unknown
14 Utility Warehouse UW Smart Export Guarantee Fixed No fixed end date 2.0p Unknown Unknown Unknown

Taking Advantage of the Scheme

To take advantage of the SEG scheme, you will need to ensure that your solar panel system is registered with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). The MCS is a UK government-backed scheme that certifies the installation of renewable energy systems, including solar panels, to ensure that they meet the required standards. Once your system is registered, you can start exporting excess energy to the grid and earning money back from your energy supplier.

The Smart Export Guarantee League table is updated all the time. As each company tries to keep up with the rapidly evolving marketplace.

Integrating Solar with Other Renewables in 2023

different types of renewable heating solution

In 2023 it's even easier to make Solar PV technology more effective by integrating it with other renewable energy sources. For example air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, and biomass boilers to create a more comprehensive and resilient energy system. By combining these technologies, you can ensure that your home or business has a consistent source of energy, even on days when there's not enough sunlight.

Other Renewable Technology

Air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps both use renewable energy from the air or ground to heat your home or business. These systems can be integrated with a solar panel system to ensure that you have a reliable source of heating and cooling year-round.

Biomass boilers are another option to consider when integrating solar with other renewables. Biomass boilers use wood pellets, logs, or chips to generate heat and hot water. When combined with a solar panel system, you can reduce your carbon footprint and energy costs even further.

Solar panel batteries can also be used in conjunction with these technologies to store excess energy generated by your solar panels during the day and use it when the sun isn't shining. This technology ensures that you have a consistent source of electricity, heating, and cooling even during power outages.

Solar Panel Batteries

Solar panel batteries are another option to consider when installing a solar panel system. These batteries can store excess energy generated by your solar panels during the day and use it when the sun isn't shining. This technology ensures that you have a consistent source of electricity, even during power outages.

They can allow you to store up massive amounts of electricity on hotter days, lowering your electricity bills on comparatively colder days when they supply is less frequent.

EV Vehicle Charging Integration

If you own an electric vehicle (EV), you can also integrate your solar panel system with EV charging stations. By doing this, you can power your EV with solar energy, further reducing your carbon footprint and energy costs.

This is most effective when combined with a battery, as the energy stored during the day, can be used to charge your vehicle overnight.

For many people, this can mean they pay nothing to run their vehicle each day in the summer. Cutting their annual car running costs in half.

Will you make money back from solar panels installed in 2023?

ECO4 eligibility credit check

The return on investment for solar panel systems can vary depending on the size of your system, your energy usage, and the cost of electricity in your area. However, many homeowners can expect to recoup their investment within 5-10 years. Based on Energy Saving Trust estimates, a typical household with a 4.2 kilowatt-peak system can knock between £350 and £650/year off bills.

Secondly, you could make £200-£300 a year from selling off excess electricity. While you won't be making as much as you could if you'd had them installed prior to 2019. With the rising cost of electricity, it's still viable to export excess electricity.

Finally in addition to saving money and selling excess electricity, installing solar panels can also increase the value of your property. A recent study found that homes with solar panels sell for an average of 5% more than homes without them.

First Steps Into Solar

Are you tired of paying high electricity bills every month? Do you want to reduce your carbon footprint and take a step towards a more sustainable future?

 Don't wait any longer to start saving money and reducing your impact on the environment. Contact us now to schedule your appointment!

Book a Survey

Want Further Advice?

green home energy efficency

Looking for further advice we have a whole heap of articles about everything renewable; Air Source Heat Pumps, Hydrogen Boilers, Energy Saving advice and much more.

Gasway Services also provides Expert advice on Boiler Installation, and Maintainance and has a selection of world-class cover plans, suited for just about any heating system or home.

Sam Teal Website Profile

Sam Teal - Marketing Manager: Are solar panels right for your home in 2023 (15th February 2023)
Sam is a seasoned writer, blending expertise in marketing, psychology, and emerging technologies.

With a keen understanding of consumer behaviour, Sam strives to make the heating industry greener and more sustainable. His diverse portfolio includes articles spanning multiple industries, including entertainment, board games, tech and of course the heating industry.

With a passion for change and innovation, Sam is one of many industry experts at Gasway Services LTD.

LinkedIn Instagram