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Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels capture sunlight and convert it into usable electricity, making them essential tools in the global shift towards renewable energy. Not only do they reduce reliance on fossil fuels, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, but they also result in significant energy cost savings for users over time. The widespread use of solar panels in Wales, from residential rooftops to large solar farms, illustrates their versatility and scalability.
Wales has demonstrated a strong commitment to renewable energy and climate change mitigation by setting a 70 per cent renewable generation target by 2030.
While it may not have the same level of sunlight as England, it enjoys more sunny days than Scotland and Northern Ireland and receives enough sun to make solar power a viable and efficient energy source.
Several solar farms have been installed in Wales in recent years, contributing significantly to the country’s energy supply and reducing its carbon footprint. These projects also represent important economic opportunities, creating jobs and stimulating local economies. The government and local authorities in Wales offer various incentives and schemes to promote the adoption of solar power, making it a more attractive and accessible choice for households and businesses.
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Solar panels for homes in Wales deliver numerous advantages, making them a compelling choice for energy generation. As they harness the sun’s power to generate electricity, they provide a clean, renewable and reliable energy source. Unlike traditional fossil fuel-based methods, solar power doesn’t emit greenhouse gases, significantly reducing our carbon footprint and contributing to the fight against climate change.
A solar system offers significant savings to household bills and, although there are upfront costs associated with installation, the long-term reductions in electricity bills typically outweigh this initial investment. Installing solar panels in Wales can significantly decrease or sometimes eliminate electricity costs, making energy consumption more affordable for homeowners. In addition, any excess electricity produced can be sold back to the grid, turning your solar energy system into a potential income source.
Having solar panels installed decreases your reliance on supplied electricity, leading to a more stable supply without the volatile energy prices endured by on-grid households.
The growing solar industry in Wales is a source of job creation and economic growth. Jobs related to manufacturing, installing, and maintaining solar panels contribute to local economies and provide sustainable careers.
Several solar panel grants and other incentives for solar panels are currently available to homeowners in Wales. These financial aids are structured to promote the adoption of renewable energy sources and to help lower household expenses.
| Solar grants and incentives | Run time | Eligibility | Potential savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) inc LA Flex | April 2022 – March 2026 | Homes in England, Scotland, or Wales. Eligibility determined by local authorities | Up to 100% |
| Nest Wales | Ongoing | Energy inefficient households in Wales, or in receipt of means-tested benefit | Up to 100% |
| Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) | Ongoing | Homes with a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certificate, or equivalent document. Installation must include an export metre and have a maximum capacity of 5MW | 1p – 24p per kWh of excess electricity produced by solar panels |
| Zero per cent VAT | April 2022 – March 2027 | Solar panel purchases and installations made in England, Scotland, and Wales | Savings dependent on solar panels cost |
ECO4, managed by the UK regulatory body Ofgem, is a government initiative to enhance energy efficiency in the least efficient homes, prioritising vulnerable and low-income households. As part of the programme, major energy suppliers are obligated to install energy-saving measures in domestic residences across Wales.
If you are a recipient of specific benefits, including Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA), Universal Credit (UC), Child Tax Credits (CTC), or Pension Credit Savings Credit, you could be eligible for free solar panels.
Local Authority Flexible Eligibility, known as LA Flex, expands upon the ECO4 programme. This scheme allows local authorities to set their own eligibility criteria for energy efficiency improvements, enabling them to pinpoint households that might not meet the national requirements.
The Nest scheme, introduced by the Welsh government, provides free guidance on enhancing your home’s warmth and energy efficiency. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you could also benefit from free energy efficiency upgrades, which include solar panel installations.
You may be eligible for Nest Wales if you meet these conditions:
Under the SEG, energy providers offer an export tariff to homeowners who produce their own renewable electricity, for instance via solar panels or wind turbines.
Eligibility for the SEG is open to anyone installing solar panels with a capacity of up to 5kW. They must also install an export metre and possess a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certificate, or an equivalent. Although incorporating a solar storage battery into the system isn’t a prerequisite for SEG eligibility, it could be advantageous, preventing any excess energy from going unused.
The UK’s standard VAT (Value Added Tax) rate is 20 per cent on most goods and services. However, energy-saving materials and equipment, including the best solar panels, qualify for a decreased VAT rate under government incentives.
This lower rate is presently set at 0 per cent and will remain so until 31 March 2027. It applies to installing solar panels in residential properties throughout England, Scotland, and Wales.
Several other schemes are designed to help fund renewable energy home improvements, including solar panels.
| Scheme | Run time | Eligibility | Potential savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barclays Greener Homes | Register by 31 January 2024 | First time claimers with a Barclays residential mortgage paid by direct debit | £1,000 |
| Lloyds Bank Eco Home Reward | Register by 31 October 2023 | Lloyds Bank mortgage customers | £500 cashback |
| Halifax Green Living Reward | Register by 31 October 2023 | Halifax mortgage customers | £500 cashback |
Barclays Greener Homes Reward initiative is aimed at Barclays’ residential mortgage customers who wish to install solar panels. Enrolling in the scheme allows qualifying customers to receive £1,000 cashback for installing solar technology. To ensure a high standard of quality, the installation must be executed by a business registered with TrustMark.
Lloyds Bank’s Eco Home Reward scheme allows existing or prospective mortgage customers, or those borrowing funds for home improvements, to receive up to £500 cashback for solar panel installation.
Halifax’s Green Living Rewards help mortgage applicants or current mortgage holders pay for energy efficient home improvements, providing up to £500 cashback upon installing solar panels.
Generally, the process of installing solar panels is the same whether your property is in Wales, Scotland or England. Getting at least three quotations from different solar panel installers is advised to compare their prices and services.
The initial investment in a solar panel installation can differ depending on where your property is in Wales, the size of the system, and the electrical output required. Other factors affecting solar panel costs include the addition of solar batteries and the complexity of the installation. However, the costs are generally between £3,500 and £6,000.
By generating your own electricity, household energy bills are greatly reduced, and any surplus energy your panels produce can be sold back to the National Grid under the SEG scheme, increasing the potential savings. These factors combined can lead to a payback period of approximately six or seven years, after which you’ll be generating free electricity for the remaining lifespan of the system, which could be as much as 25 to 30 years.
The table below provides an approximate guide to the cost of solar panels, savings, and estimated break-even point on a property in Wales. We used our solar calculator to arrive at these figures. The average three-bedroom property requires a 4kW system, typically comprising 10 panels, each costing between £100 and £500. However, this does depend on where in Wales the property is. The south-west coast receives the most sun, particularly around Tenby, while the mountainous region of Snowdonia has the fewest sunny days.
| Property size | System size | Number of panels | Installation cost | Potential annual savings | Estimated payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One to two bedrooms | 2kW | 6 | £3,300 | £515.43 | 6 years |
| Three bedrooms | 4kW | 10 | £5,500 | £857.41 | 6 years |
| Four plus bedrooms | 6kW | 14 | £7,700 | £1,200.37 | 6 years |
Solar panels are relatively low-maintenance, but a certain level of care is required to keep them functioning optimally and to ensure the system’s longevity.
Debris, such as leaves, bird droppings, and dust, if allowed to build up, can prevent your solar system from working efficiently. While rain will wash most of the accumulated dirt, additional cleaning with a soft brush or a high-pressure hose is sometimes required. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning.
While washing the panels, it’s beneficial to check for any signs of damage or wear, such as cracks, loose connections, or corrosion. Contact a professional for further inspection and repair if you notice anything unusual.
While the homeowner can perform most maintenance tasks, having a professional perform a more thorough check every couple of years is a good idea. They can spot and resolve issues that might not be visible to the untrained eye, ensuring your system continues to operate at peak efficiency.
Most modern solar systems come with software that allows you to track the performance of your panels. If you notice a sudden drop in performance or consistent underperformance, it could indicate a problem that needs addressing.
Despite the diverse weather conditions experienced by homeowners in Wales, residents are increasingly adopting solar energy. While the upfront costs may appear significant, the resultant savings on electricity bills, income from reselling surplus power and possible governmental grants and incentives, make this investment financially rewarding in the long run.
To find reputable solar panel installers in Wales, consider the following points:
The process to apply for the ECO4 scheme is streamlined and straightforward, with numerous companies offering the grant, easily located with an online search. The application process remains largely the same, no matter which provider you select.
Once you’ve completed the online application, you’ll receive an email containing a unique identifier and a consent form, authorising the company to validate your benefits with the Department of Work and Pensions. This form can be signed digitally and emailed back.
Within a week, you should be contacted to book a free survey assessing your home’s energy efficiency measures. The inspection lasts between 10 and 15 minutes and is designed to be as non-invasive as possible.
Upon completion of the survey and subsequent approval of your application, expect a timeline of up to eight weeks for installing your solar panels.
Monitoring the performance of your solar panel system is crucial to ensure it’s functioning optimally and producing the expected amount of energy.
The inverter converts your solar panels’ direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity used in your home. Most inverters have a display that shows the amount of electricity being produced. If the inverter shows a drop in production, this could indicate something is wrong.
A solar monitoring system is another way to monitor your solar panel’s performance. These monitors connect to your solar panels and track their energy production in real time, providing detailed reports and analytics, showing your energy production by day, month, or year. They can also alert you if the system is underperforming or has any technical issues.
By comparing your energy bills before and after installing your solar panels, you can get a sense of how much electricity your system produces. However, this method doesn’t account for changes in energy usage or fluctuations in the amount of sunlight your panels receive.
