How much do solar panels cost? This is a question that comes to the mind of every homeowner. Is it a worthy investment? You may also wonder how efficient solar panels are and how you can maintain them. In this article, we will try to answer these and some other questions you may have concerning solar panels.
ENERGY SOURCES IN THE UK
A recent statistical press release from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy released on 25th June 2020 states that Energy in this country is generated in a number of different ways. Having multiple energy sources is important since it enables a country to have constant electricity and not to depend on one source of energy. So, in case of disruption, electricity can always continue to be generated. Power sources in the UK can be subdivided into the following sections (This is according to Q1 2020 statistics):
Fossil Fuels:
This accounts for about 35.2% of the energy produced in the UK. This mainly consists of natural gas (31.4%) & coal (3.8%).
Nuclear energy
Nuclear energy in the UK constitutes about 15.1% of the energy produced in this country. Nuclear power generation entails splitting Uranium atoms to produce heat in a process known as Fission.
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy uses natural sources to produce energy to power homes and industries. Some of these natural energy sources tapped in the UK include: solar, biomass, hydro, marine, wave and wind energy. Renewable energy sources constitute about 47% of the total energy produced in the UK.
Imported Power, Oil & Others
Finally, about 2.7% of the energy sources in the UK are imported from countries like the Netherlands and France. This is imported through a series of interconnected power cables between these countries. The country also uses these cables to export power to other neighbouring countries. Fuel used by generators has also been taken into consideration.
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES IN THE UK
Renewable energy sources are growing in the UK. Currently, this energy source generates over 20,000 GWh of electricity in the UK. The leading source of renewable energy is wind, followed by bioenergy. The third is solar energy and finally hydro energy. Currently, solar energy generates over 10,000 GWh of electricity in the country. This constitutes about 4.2% of the total energy generated in the UK.
THE RISE OF SOLAR ENERGY IN THE UK
Solar energy is a renewable source that can be used in many ways. Some of the most common ways in which this energy source is used are for warming water, producing electricity and also heat. The UK stands among the top five countries in the world that use Solar energy as a source of power. Different techniques are employed to convert solar energy into electricity. The most common method used is through the use of Photovoltaic system. This is also known as Solar PV. The provision of solar energy through this system involves multiple solar cells that work to produce electricity. They convert the heat energy from the sun into electricity. Solar PV has risen in popularity in the last few years since it uses naturally occurring sources, it is free to source (even though it may have slightly high installation costs) and it can also work in cloudy days. The total output of Solar PV in the UK is enough to power over two million households in the UK. Currently, there are about 800,000 households in the UK that have installed Solar PV panels. This is quite a significant number even if we look at the issue of cost on” how much do solar panels cost”. We realize that households are resorting to green energy sources like solar power.
HOW MUCH DO SOLAR PANELS COST IN THE UK
There are different kinds of solar panels that vary from one location to another. The main ones are as follows:
Solar roof tiles
These are solar tiles that can be used to replace normal roof tiles. They help in maintaining the original appearance of the building. For a 3KW solar tile system, the cost starts from 10,000 pounds to 12,000 pounds.
Roof-mounted solar panels
These are Solar PV panels that can be mounted on the roof of a building. It costs from 5,000 pounds to 8,000 pounds to install solar panels on a property. There are also Do-It-Yourself Solar Panel kits that you can install on your property. Installing these take between 600 Pounds to 4,000 Pounds.
Solar Panels for motor homes and Caravans
These are portable solar panels that can be mounted on caravans and motor homes. They are used to power the vehicle’s battery and other electronic devices within the caravan. These solar panels cost from 60 Pounds to 600 pounds You may wonder how much do solar panels cost to install. Some of the solar panels, as mentioned earlier, can be installed by the buyer. Others can be installed by qualified technicians and the rate varies from one region to another.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF USING SOLAR PV PANELS
Once you have answered the question “how much do solar panels cost”, the next question that may come to mind is to find out whether they are a worthy investment. We shall look at the advantages of having solar panels. Firstly, when you use solar energy in the UK, there is no need to apply for a permit. All you need to do is to install the solar panels in your house and you’ll be good to go. Secondly, solar panels can work everywhere, even in areas that are cloudy.
To enjoy maximum benefit from these solar panels, you can install a battery into your house. Doing this will enable you to get access to solar energy even during the night. Once you install the solar panels on the roof of your building, using it is free. Solar power is also clean and green. No harmful substances are released in the atmosphere when you power your household through this method. Solar power also increases the overall value of your home. Panels can increase the value of your home by up to 10%.
IS THE UK WEATHER CONDUCIVE TO POWER SOLAR PANELS
The UK is famed for having grey, cloudy weather. Even with this kind of weather, there is still enough sunlight for solar panels. The solar energy that is emitted in the UK is almost similar to that emitted from regions that are considered to be full of sunlight and have a Mediterranean climate. Solar Photo Voltaic cells use light for the production of electricity. They do not use heat. This means that even in cloudy days, the Solar PVs can still produce enough electricity.
Some areas in the UK are considered to be windy. This can actually act in favour of the people who have mounted Solar PVs on their rooftops. What the wind does is that it can act as a cooling agent on the Solar Panels. This can make the panels to be even more efficient. Snow may make the solar panels to age faster. However, there is an angle you can place your solar panel so that the snow doesn’t adversely affect it. Also, the heat from the solar panel can melt the snow once it falls on it.
In the event that there is too much snow on the panel, then you can manually remove this snow. Snow may at times be useful as it may help in reflecting the sun’s light. You may wonder how much do solar panels cost to maintain? Maintaining your solar panel shouldn’t be hard. It only involves brushing the solar panels in case there is an accumulation of dust, dirt or snow.
HOW CAN I KNOW THE EFFICIENCY OF MY SOLAR PANEL
Solar panel efficiency is determined by how much sunlight can be converted into electricity. In the UK, most of the solar panels have an efficiency level of about 15% to about 20%. This efficiency largely depends on the manufacturer of the solar panel. kW is the power output representing the electricity that can be generated by the solar panel to power a home. Most homes need an output of 4kW or thereabout to power their households. Efficiency levels of solar panels will decrease from one day to another. During sunny days, the solar panels may be more efficient than on cloudy days.
Many solar panels have a rating that clearly outlines their performance on different climatic and weather conditions. There are three types of solar panel cell types. These directly affect the efficiency levels of the solar panels. These are Thin-film solar panels. These have thin layers of silicon that are placed on top of other electronic materials. Polycrystalline Solar panels. These are made using many silicon crystals. They have spaces between these silicon crystals. Monocrystalline solar panels. These are made using one single piece of silicon and they are the most efficient solar panels.
In the UK, there are different solar manufacturers, each creating solar panels that have different efficiency levels. The most efficient solar panels are those manufactured by LG as they have an efficiency level of 21%. Panasonic Solar Panels have an efficiency level of about 19.7%. Sharp Solar Panels have an efficiency level of about 20%. IKEA’s solar panels have an efficiency level of about 16.8%.
FACTORS THAT CAN REDUCE THE EFFICIENCY OF A SOLAR PANEL
Most solar panels have a life span of about 20 to 25 years. With time the efficiency levels of solar panels are reduced. However, during this shelf life, most of the solar panels will have an output of over 85% of the intended capacity of the solar panel. Apart from ageing, other factors that may reduce the efficiency of a solar panel are as follows: The direction you place your solar panel has a direct impact on its efficiency. In the UK, it is advisable that you place your solar panel on the South facing roof. Shades also have a direct impact on the efficiency of your solar panel. A negligible amount of shade can hinder the efficiency of your solar panel by up to 50%. Panels need to be regularly cleaned and maintained. Dirt or dust should be removed so as to improve the efficiency of the solar panels.
How much do solar panels cost to clean and fix? This may depend on the labour costs in the city you are in. However, some of the issues like cleaning can be done by the panel owner. The angle of your roof also has a direct impact on the amount of sunlight your solar panel can get and this affects its efficiency. The best angle is between 30 to 45 degrees.
ROWAN ENERGY BLOCKCHAIN – THE ONLY PROFITABLE SOLUTION FOR SOLAR PANEL HOMEOWNERS
Rowan Energy is the world’s first community-supported green energy Blockchain that uses low powered Proof of Authority Consensus Mechanism. In this community, members play a role of either selling energy to the community or validating the transactions that take place in the Blockchain. This Blockchain platform enables solar panels owners to sell their energy to other community members on the Blockchain.
The returns from this are attractive, can be traced in real-time and are recorded on the Blockchain. For example, a household may have a 5kW solar panel that produces about 15 kWh per day. This household may consume 7KWh of this energy, sell 8 kWh (for 0.44p) to the grid and purchase 6KWh from the grid at 0.84p.On average, you end up spending about 0.40 p per day at your cost. This translates to about 150 Pounds on an annual basis.
However, with Rowan, with the same consumption, and if you are a member of the Rowan Blockchain, you will get Rowan Points worth about 3.75 pounds every day. This translates to about 1368 pounds each year. Less about 146 Pounds you will have spent and you realize over 1200 Pounds each year.
Clearly, this shows that Rowan Energy is a perfect opportunity for Solar panel owners as you end up making a tidy profit from your solar panel on an annual basis. It turns your solar panel into a profitable venture. This would have otherwise been an expense with conventional systems.
CONCLUSION
So, how much do solar panels cost? You realize that installing solar panels may be costly. However, with Rowan Blockchain, you end up recouping this investment from your solar panel after a few years. We hope this article has helped you get a clear understanding of the question” how much do solar panels cost”. Rowan energy places itself as a suitable solution that can help offset and even generate positive returns on the costs incurred when purchasing solar panels.
Hopefully, you have enjoyed today’s article. Thanks for reading! Have a fantastic day! Live from the Platinum Crypto Trading Floor.
Earnings Disclaimer: The information you’ll find in this article is for educational purpose only. We make no promise or guarantee of income or earnings. You have to do some work, use your best judgement and perform due diligence before using the information in this article. Your success is still up to you. Nothing in this article is intended to be professional, legal, financial and/or accounting advice. Always seek competent advice from professionals in these matters. If you break the city or other local laws, we will not be held liable for any damages you incure.
