Solar advice hub

Explore our wide range of solar & battery advice guides, including information about typical costs, savings, and related technology.


Sunsave Plus

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A black solar panel is on the left. On the right, there's a pound sign inside a yellow circle outlined in black and a yellow and black calendar, all against an aquamarine background

Should you get a solar panel subscription?

Thinking of switching to solar but feeling daunted by the upfront cost? A solar subscription could be right for you.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
Solar panel installer drilling into a mounting bracket on a rooftop, blue filter overlaid, black tick in a yellow box in the centre foreground

The Sunsave Guarantee explained

Get a detailed breakdown of what the Sunsave Guarantee includes, from monitoring & maintenance to insurance.

Photo of author Charlie ClissittCharlie Clissitt
A cartoon yellow circular '£1' coin and a cartoon yellow calendar with concentric white circles around them, a black solar panel to the right of them, turquoise background

Sunsave Plus: a flexible way to go solar

Discover how you can make a full or partial early repayment to shortern the term of your solar subscription.

Photo of author Charlie ClissittCharlie Clissitt
A cartoon house with solar panels on the roof, a relocations van to the right, a yellow question mark above it, turquoise background

Moving home with a Sunsave Plus subscription

Find out about your various options if you ever decide to move home during your solar subscription.

Photo of author Charlie ClissittCharlie Clissitt
A cartoon house with yellow solar panels on the roof, a big £1 coin above it going into a slot, and the words 'Sunsave Plus', turquoise background

Sunsave Plus: what if you can afford the upfront cost of solar?

We explore the potential long-term financial outcome of opting for Sunsave Plus.

Photo of author Charlie ClissittCharlie Clissitt
Close up shot of solar panels on a rooftop, a white line down the middle. The left side has faded colours, but the right side is bright and colourful

Why Sunsave Plus does not require a roof lease

We run through why Sunsave Plus has been designed differently so that a roof lease is not required, and why this matters

Photo of author Charlie ClissittCharlie Clissitt
Black solar panels on a roof, blue question mark above them, yellow shield next to them with a black tick on it, turquoise background

Why you can rely on the Sunsave Guarantee

Learn about the steps we've taken to ensure that you'll always be protected by the Sunsave Guarantee.

Photo of author Charlie ClissittCharlie Clissitt
A screenshot of a Sunsave Plus proposal in the bottom right, surrounded by a yellow sun and a turquoise background. Cartoon yellow book to the left

A guide to your Sunsave Plus proposal

Explore our detailed breakdown of the Sunsave Plus proposal, so you can understand every section in detail.

Photo of author Charlie ClissittCharlie Clissitt
Two men putting new tiles on a rooftop, yellow filter overlaid, big cartoon yellow sun in the foreground

Making changes to your roof during a Sunsave Plus subscription

Find out whether roof upgrades will affect your solar subscription, and how we can help.

Photo of author Charlie ClissittCharlie Clissitt

How solar works

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The sun rising behind an array of polycrystalline solar panels

How do solar panels work?

Wondering how solar panels produce electricity? We look at the science behind the photovoltaic effect.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
A black monocrystalline solar panel with a yellow bar chart in the foreground, a cartoon yellow sun in the background

How efficient are solar panels?

Here's what solar panel efficiency means, why it's important, and how it should inform your solar panel system purchase.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
Snow on a rooftop solar panel system, yellow cartoon snowflakes in the background

Do solar panels work in winter and on cloudy days?

How do solar panels cope when it's overcast and cold? Here's how output is affected, and how to help your system.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
Black solar panels on a rooftop, a big cartoon yellow sun above it, and a cartoon thermometer showing a high temperature, pale blue background

Do solar panels fail in hot weather?

We explore whether solar panels become less effective in extremely hot temperatures.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
A graphic with three phone screens in front of a black solar panel, against a yellow circle and an aquamarine background

Solar panel apps: how do they work?

Here's how solar panel apps work, the best ways to use them, and what useful information they can provide you with.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A yellow question mark outlined in black, above a grey roof with black solar panels, all against an aquamarine background

You have solar panels – now what?

Here's how to maximise your system’s output and profits, and how you should alter your electricity usage.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman

Solar panel costs

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A column of cartoon yellow solar panels on the left and some cartoon yellow money on the right, against a turquoise background

How much do solar panels cost in the UK?

Here’s how much solar panels cost, the factors that influence this price, and what to do if the upfront cost is too high.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A yellow map of the UK on the right, and a cartoon £1 coin going into a coin slot on the left, turquoise background

The 10 best solar panel grants & funding options

Discover which solar panel grants you're eligible for, how much they can save you, and how you can access them.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
Three yellow cartoon solar panels in a column on the right hand side, a cartoon yellow % symbol on the left

VAT on solar panels: the expert guide

Learn about the UK's temporary VAT reduction on solar panels, how long it lasts for, and any exceptions.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
A row of terraced houses with a huge black solar panel above them, a yellow '£' sign, a white arrow pointing upwards, and a turquoise background

Do solar panels increase the value of your home?

Learn about how solar panels affect property prices around the UK, and why they're so popular with homebuyers.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A house with a dark roof that's almost completely covered in solar panels, against the background of a sunset, with a graphic representation of a yellow-and-black pound coin going in a slot, by an aquamarine strip on the side of the image

Are solar panels worth it in the UK?

Here's how much you can save with solar panels, their average break-even point, and all the factors that affect these numbers.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
Two solar panel installers carrying a black solar panel, yellow and turquoise background, a yellow question mark in the centre

Solar panel quotes: 7 questions to ask before installing solar

Here are the sensible questions to ask before going ahead with an installation.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
A cartoon of a yellow banknote next to a house with yellow solar panels, against an aquamarine background

Solar panel loans & finance: is it worth it?

Here's how solar panel loans usually work, how they differ from paying for solar upfront, and how Sunsave Plus fits in.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A graphic with a yellow question mark in front of five black and blue solar panels, against an aquamarine background

The 9 best solar panels in 2024

Here are the best solar panels of the year, based on months of rigorous testing in Kiwa PVEL's California lab.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A row of three cartoon houses with solar panels on the roof and a storage battery, turquoise background

Solar Together: is it worth it?

We run through exactly how Solar Together works, its key benefits and drawbacks, and some of its main successes and failures.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
Yellow and black graphics of a calendar and clock against an aquamarine background and a house with black solar panels on the roof

Rent-a-roof solar panels: what went wrong?

Here's how rent-a-roof schemes worked, what their main issues were, what caused their downfall – and the better alternatives.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
Black solar panel with a yellow price tag on it, big yellow question mark next to it, teal background

Used solar panels: are they a good idea?

It's temping to buy cheap, second-hand solar panels instead of getting a brand new system - but is it worth the risk?

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
Above a roof with solar panels on it, a yellow pound sign outlined in black sits on a line going up and down, until it reaches the right-hand side of the image, where it diverges on two dotted lines, one going up and one going down, either side of a question mark, all against an aquamarine background

Will solar panels get cheaper?

Solar panel prices are set to increase. Here are the reasons why, including China’s dominance, and what this means for domestic solar costs.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman

Solar panel installation

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People installing a solar panel on a roof, with a cartoon screwdriver and spanner in the foreground

How are solar panels installed?

Here's how a solar panel installation works from start to finish, and what you should do before and after the installation.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
Black solar panel with yellow highlight, the letters 'MCS' in the middle in yellow

The MCS certificate for solar panels: an expert guide

Here's why the Microgeneration Certification Scheme is one of the best ways to guarantee your solar installation's quality.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
Cartoon sun shining down on a house with solar panels, turquoise background.

The best angle and direction for solar panels in the UK

Learn about the optimum set up for rooftop solar panels in the UK to ensure the highest output.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
A cartoon of a house with yellow solar panels next to a yellow tick with black outline, all against an aquamarine background

Is my roof suitable for solar panels?

Here's how an installer will decide if your roof is suitable for solar panels, including assessing its direction, usable space, and loft.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A yellow-and-black map of the UK superimposed over a photo of a black solar panel held by two installers, against an aquamarine and yellow background

The 10 best solar panel installers in the UK

We’ve thoroughly assessed thousands of solar panel installers with objective measures to find the best options for your home.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
Roof-integrated solar panels on a rooftop, blue sky in the background, large pale blue question mark to the left, small yellow '£' sign

In-roof solar panels: are they worth it?

We run through what in-roof solar panels are, how they differ from normal panels, and whether you should get them.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
An array of black solar panels on the roof of a new build home, cartoon sun behind it, turquoise background, cartoon yellow booklet next to the home

Solar panels on new builds: what are the rules?

Understand the current regulations surrounding solar panels on new builds, and whether they'll change soon.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
Two solar panel installers walking across a flat roof which is covered in solar panels, cartoon yellow sun rising behind them, turquoise sky

Solar panels on flat roofs: explored

Learn about the difficulties associated with installing solar panels on residential flat roofs, and whether there are any solutions.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
Solar panels mounted on poles on soily ground, cartoon yellow sun coming behind them, teal sky

Ground-mounted solar panels: are they worth it?

If you're considering ground-mounted solar panels, it's worth knowing if they're suitable. We dig into the details here.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
Solar panels on a slate roof, with a representation of a yellow and black book over the top

Solar panels on slate roofs: an expert guide

How does an installer fit solar panels on a slate roof? Here's why it’s a little more complicated but ultimately worth it.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman

Exporting to the grid

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Monocrystalline solar panel array on UK rooftop, yellow £ symbol in the centre and an electricity pylon in the background

The Smart Export Guarantee: explained

Learn about how you can earn money with solar via the Smart Export Guarantee, and other export tariffs.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
Five yellow rectangles in the style of a bar chart on the left of the image, with a yellow pound sign on the right, set against a blue-yellow background with an electricity pylon

What are the best SEG rates?

Here are the best export tariffs you can use to earn money from the excess solar electricity you send to the grid.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
a black solar panel on the left, a graphic of a yellow coin with a pound symbol in the middle, going into a black slot, and the Octopus Energy logo in the bottom-right corner, all against an aquamarine background

Intelligent Octopus Flux: explained

Here's how the tariff works with your solar installation, how much it can earn you, and when it’s the best choice for your home.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A blue polycrystalline solar panel with the yellow letters 'FiT' next to it, and an electricity pylon in the background

What was the Feed-In Tariff and why did it end?

Discover the history of the UK's solar Feed-in Tariff between 2010 and 2019 - and learn about its replacement.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
A graphic with a yellow pound coin going into a black slot, next to an Octopus Energy logo, above a person touching a plant next to their yellow electric car being charging by an electric home charger. The background is aquamarine

Intelligent Octopus Go: explained

Here's how Intelligent Octopus Go works with your car and home, how much you can save, and whether you should sign up.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A small cartoon yellow solar panel, a small carton pylon, and a small cartoon pile of money, turquoise background

Solar export tariffs: explained

Here's how to sign up for a solar export tariff, and how much you can expect to earn.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A graphic with a yellow line going up and down behind a yellow coin with a black pound symbol going into a black slot, above the Octopus Energy logo. The background is aquamarine.

Agile Octopus: explained

Here's how Agile Octopus works, how it could benefit you, and whether it would be a good idea for your home.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A smart meter next to a black solar panel, a cartoon yellow sun behind it, turquoise background

Do smart meters and solar panels work together?

Understand how smart meters and solar panels combine to reduce your energy bills.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
A yellow coin in a slot with a black pound sign on it, against a house with black solar panels, above the Octopus Energy logo, all against an aquamarine background and a yellow sun

Octopus Flux: explained

Here's how Octopus Flux works with your solar & battery system, how much you can earn, and whether it’s the best tariff for your home.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman

Solar batteries

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A cartoon yellow question mark on top of a large white storage battery, faded white concentric circles around it and a turquoise background

Battery storage for solar panels: is it worth it?

Here's how solar battery storage works, how to pick the best type and size for your home, and how much it can save you.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A black solar panel in the corner with a yellow outline, three cartoon solar batteries in the centre (of varying sizes)

What size solar battery do you need?

Here's why it’s important to get the right size solar battery, and how your installer will choose a size that suits your home.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A graphic with houses that have yellow solar panels and batteries. The home on the right has a much bigger batter. It's all against an aquamarine background

5 reasons to get a larger storage battery

A larger battery can save you more money, soften the blow of price rises, and future-proof your home – among other benefits.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A graphic representation of a battery in yellow with a black outline on the left, and a yellow clock with black outline and hands, both against an aquamarine background.

How long do solar batteries last?

Before you go solar, find out how long your battery will last. Here's the average lifespan, the reasons behind it, and how to extend it.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A row of terraced houses in the UK, a yellow filter on top, and a cartoon yellow storage battery in the centre

Home battery storage without solar in the UK

Understand the key limitations of battery storage without solar panels, and why it’s better to include solar.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
A graphic of a battery in yellow, outlined in black, against an aquamarine background with a large, light-blue question mark on the right and pound sign on the left

How much do solar batteries cost?

Here's how much solar batteries cost, what affects the price, and whether they're worth the investment.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A graphic including a house with black solar panels, behind a yellow circle and Fox battery, all against an aquamarine background and yellow electricity pylon

EPS for solar: is it worth it?

Here's how EPS for solar works, the different levels of electricity provision it offers, and whether EPS is worth it for your home.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
Two models of storage battery side by side with a big yellow question mark in the centre, teal background

The 5 different types of solar battery

Understand the five main varieties of storage battery in the UK and discover the best one for a solar panel installation.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni

System size

Lots of black mono crystalline solar panels with a yellow question mark in front

How many solar panels do you need?

Read up on how many solar panels the typical property requires, as well as the factors that can affect this.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A solar panel with light reflecting off it, a carton yellow lightning bolt, and a turquoise background

How much energy do solar panels produce?

Discover the average annual output of a solar panel system in the UK, as well as what factors affect it.

Photo of author Charlie ClissittCharlie Clissitt
The graphic is split into two. There are four solar panels against an aquamarine background on the left, and 16 solar panels against a yellow background on the right

4 reasons to get a larger solar panel system

A larger solar panel system will boost your export profits, protect you against energy price rises, and future-proof your home.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
Black solar panels on a rooftop, turquoise background and a cartoon yellow solar inverter in the centre foreground

The expert guide to solar panel inverters

Find out what inverters are, why they matter, and what the difference is between string inverters and microinverters.

Photo of author Sophie LewisSophie Lewis
'5kW' in yellow, outlined in black, over an image of a black solar panel, against an aquamarine background

5kW solar panel systems: an expert guide

Here's what a 5kW solar panel system is, how much it costs, and which devices it can power on an average day.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
'4kW' in yellow, outlined in black, over an image of a black solar panel, against a blue background

4kW solar panel systems: an expert guide

In this guide, we’ll explain what a 4kW solar panel system is, how much it costs, and how many devices it can power.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
'3kW' in yellow, outlined in black, over an image of a black solar panel, against an aquamarine background

3kW solar panel systems: an expert guide

In this guide, we’ll explain what a 3kW solar panel system is, how much it costs, and how many appliances it can power.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman

Solar maintenance

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A black monocrystalline solar panel, turquoise background, and a cartoon yellow tool box with a spanner symbol on it

Solar panel maintenance: an expert guide

Here's why solar panels need maintenance, how to take care of them, the most common problems, and how much it costs.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
Black solar panel array on a UK rooftop, cartoon black bird in a yellow box hovering above it, turquoise background

Solar panel bird proofing: an expert guide

Discover the typical problems birds can cause when they nest under solar panels, and how you can prevent them.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
Part of a black solar panel with yellow squiggly lines around it, cartoon spanner and screwdriver next to it, turquoise background

6 problems to watch out for if you have solar panels

Understand the potential pitfalls that face solar panel owners and what the solution is to all of them

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
A tiled background of black solar panels with a cartoon yellow calendar in the centre foreground

How long do solar panels last?

Discover how long solar panels typically last, and how quickly solar panel performance degrades over time.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
Black solar panels on a cartoon yellow conveyor belt going to be recycled

Can solar panels be recycled?

Learn about the nuts & bolts of solar panel reycling, including how it happens and where it happens.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
A slate roof with black solar panels. A yellow cartoon shield with a black tick on it is in the centre of the panels, and a blue pound sign outlined in black is above the roof, all against an aquamarine background

Solar panel insurance: is it worth it?

Here's what solar panel insurance is, why you need it, and the extent to which home insurance covers your panels.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
Someone cleaning a solar panel with a wet brush, yellow filter overlaid, and a cartoon yellow question mark to the left

How to clean your solar panels

Here's our step-by-step guide about how to clean your solar panels, how often to do it, and what professional alternatives are available.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni

Planning permission

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Installers putting a solar panel on a roof against a yellow background, with a cartoon yellow piece of paper in the bottom left corner

Planning permission for solar panels: an expert guide

Find out which solar installations need planning permission in the UK.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
Lots of cartoon yellow solar panels in the background, a light blue question mark in the centre foreground

Is there a maximum number of solar panels allowed in the UK?

Find out whether there is any limit on the number of solar panels you can have on your rooftop.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
A yellow page with a black outline in the centre, G99 below that, a black solar panel on the left outlined in yellow, and a hand writing with a pen on the right

DNO solar applications: the expert guide

Here's how the G99 application works, why it exists, how long the process usually takes, and how to get one approved.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A row of cottages in the UK, a blue filter over the top, and a cartoon yellow solar panel to the right hand side

Solar panels in conservation areas: the expert guide

Learn about the specific rules that apply to solar panels in conservation areas.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
A graphic. In the centre is a yellow book outlined in black, with black rectangles down the sides in columns, against an aquamarine background with a yellow sun

Building regulations for solar panels: explained

Here are the building regulations for solar panels, how they differ from planning permission, and how to comply with them.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A row of old cottages in England, yellowish filter overlaid, cartoon yellow solar panel in the centre

Solar panels on listed buildings: explored

Thinking of putting solar on a listed building? Find out what the restrictions are and why they're in place.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni

Solar technology

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A monocrystalline solar panel next to a polycrystalline solar panel with a yellow question mark in the middle

The 6 different types of solar panels

Discover the six main types of solar panel, including monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
Black solar panels on a rooftop, a cartoon yellow sun rising behind it, turquoise background

Why are black solar panels better than blue?

Learn about the differences between black solar panels and blue solar panels - and why black should be the one you choose.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
Graphic of a house's solar panel system receiving direct light from a sun on the left, and diffuse light from clouds on the right, against an aquamarine background

Bifacial solar panels: explained

Here's what bifacial panels are, how they work, whether they’re worth the cost, and how to take full advantage of them.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A hand holding up a small perovskite solar cell, with a cartoon yellow information booklet to the right of the hand

Perovskite solar panels: an expert guide

Find out about the main benefits and drawbacks of perovskite solar panels, and why they're not available yet.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
A person's hand with red fingernails adjusting a smart thermostat, with the head blurry on the right of the image. Below, there's a graphic of a solar panel with a dotted line travelling to a heat pump

Can solar panels heat a house in the UK?

Solar panels can heat a home in various ways. Here are their pros, their cons, and which methods are best for you.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A heat pump and solar panels on a grey roof under a sun and an aquamarine sky

Heat pumps & solar panels: how they work together

Here's how using a heat pump with solar panels works, and which homes are suitable.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
12 black solar panels on a roof, yellow cartoon sun in the background, two yellow arrows pointing down from the panels

Solar power diverters: are they worth it?

Discover how solar power diverters work and whether they're worth having.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
On the right, a child watching as an adult inserts an electric vehicle charger into a car, with stairs and a door in the background. On the left, a yellow and black graphic of a solar panel against an aquamarine background

How to charge your electric car with solar panels

Here's how solar works with EV charging, how many panels you need, and rough costs.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A faded blue solar on the left, a black solar panel in the centre, and a yellow question mark with black outline on the right. They're all under a black horizontal line with yellow dots above the icons, and against an aquamarine background

How quickly are solar panels improving?

Discover how far solar panels have come in terms of power, efficiency and durability - and what the future holds.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A house with solar roof tiles, a chimney and conservatory, trees in the background, yellow filter overlaid, big cartoon yellow '£' symbol and pale blue question mark

Solar roof tiles: are they worth it?

Solar roof tiles are an exciting new technology, but are they worth the significant expense? We weigh up the pros and cons.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
The corner of a black solar panel with yellow squiggly lines around it, a cartoon test tube beside it with some yellow liquid, teal background

The best new solar panel technology in 2024

We explore the nine most exciting developments in the solar industry in 2024, from indoor solar panels to 'two-for-one' fission.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
The corner of a building with transparent solar panels on the side, cloudy sky, yellow filter overlaid, cartoon yellow solar panel left of centre

Transparent solar panels: an expert guide

'See-through' solar panels are an exciting new development in the world of solar, but are they all they're cracked up to be?

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
A layer of blue thin-film solar cells bending up in the top left corner, yellow squiggly lines around it, teal background

Thin-film solar panels: explained

Thin-film solar panels are lightweight and flexible, but are they a sensible choice? We explore the pros and cons.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni

Cities and regions

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A graphic of the UK in yellow, outlined in black, next to a graphic of a solar panel in yellow, outlined in black, against an aquamarine background

How many homes have solar panels in the UK?

Here's how many homes have solar panels in the UK, which areas have the most, and how the UK compares with Europe.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
Yellow cartoon map of the UK with solar panel icons dotted around it, turquoise background

The 11 sunniest places in the UK

Check out the latest Met Office data and discover the UK's top 11 sunniest spots - places that are perfect for solar panels.

Photo of author Joanna HunterJoanna Hunter
A graphic that has a map of the United Kingdom with concentric circles originating from Hampshire on the right, and a photo of a black solar panel on the right. The country is yellow and outlined in black, and the sea is blue

Solar panels in Hampshire: are they worth it?

Here are the best installers in Hampshire based on our research, alongside the best available grants and typical costs.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A graphic that has a map of the United Kingdom with concentric circles originating from Essex on the right, and a photo of a black solar panel on the right. The country is yellow and outlined in black, and the sea is blue

Solar panels in Essex: are they worth it?

Here's how much you can save by getting solar panels in Essex, as well as costs, grants, and how well solar works in Essex weather.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A graphic that has a cut-off map of the United Kingdom with concentric circles originating from Cornwall on the right, and a photo of a black solar panel on the right, outlined in yellow. The UK is yellow and outlined in black, and the background of the image is a photo of a Cornwall coastline

Solar panels in Cornwall: are they worth it?

Here are the best installers in Cornwall based on our research, alongside the best available grants and typical costs.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A graphic that has a cut-off map of the United Kingdom with concentric circles originating from Bristol on the left, and a photo of a black solar panel on the right. The UK is yellow and outlined in black, and the background of the image is a photo of Bristol's Clifton Suspension Bridge with hot air balloons floating around it

Solar panels in Bristol: are they worth it?

Here are the best installers in Bristol based on our research, alongside the best available grants and typical costs.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A graphic that has a map of the United Kingdom with concentric circles originating from Dorset on the right, and a photo of a black solar panel on the left. The UK is yellow and outlined in black, and the background of the image is a photo of a Dorset beach

Solar panels in Dorset: are they worth it?

Here are the best installers in Dorset based on our research, alongside the best available grants and typical costs.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A graphic that has a cut-off map of the United Kingdom on the left with concentric circles emanating from Sussex, and a photo of a black solar panel on the right. The UK is yellow and outlined in black, and the background of the image is a photo of the Brighton Palace Pier

Solar panels in Sussex: are they worth it?

Here are the best installers in Sussex based on our research, as well as the best available grants and typical costs.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A graphic that has a cut-off map of the United Kingdom on the right with concentric circles emanating from Kent, and a photo of a black solar panel on the left. The UK is yellow and outlined in black, and the background is aquamarine

Solar panels in Kent: are they worth it?

Here are the best installers in Kent based on our research, alongside the best available grants and typical costs.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A graphic that has a cut-off map of the United Kingdom on the right with concentric circles emanating from Devon, and a photo of a black solar panel on the left. The UK is yellow and outlined in black, and the background of the image is a photo of a Devon beach

Solar panels in Devon: are they worth it?

Here are the best installers in Devon based on our research, as well as the best available grants and typical costs.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman

Solar energy

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Solar panels on a rooftop, with other solar panels floating around it

17 facts about solar panels

Solar energy is now the cheapest source of electricity in history, thanks to costs falling a whopping 70% in the last 10 years.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
A polycrystalline solar panel with a thumbs up and a thumbs down either side of it

The pros and cons of solar panels

Here are all the pros and cons of solar panels, plus how to make the most of your system while avoiding the biggest pitfalls.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
Aquamarine bars in the style of a bar chart at the bottom, in the middle of a yellow semi-circle in the style of a rising sun, under a yellow '19' outlined in black, with the background in blue, in the style of a sky

The top 19 solar energy statistics

Here’s the state of the solar industry, through all the most important solar energy statistics for the UK and the world.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A cartoon yellow planet Earth in the centre foreground, a big blue number 7 behind it, and a solar panel behind that. Turquoise background

The 7 largest solar panel manufacturers in the world

Discover which companies are producing the highest number of solar panels around the world.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
A cartoon globe with yellow countries, a black solar panel next to it, and a turquoise background

Which countries use the most solar energy?

Our rundown of the countries around the world using the most solar energy, from Mexico to China.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
A yellow graphic of a map of the UK, outlined in black, set against a bird's-eye view of solar panels lined up on grass, coloured in aquamarine

The 7 largest solar farms in the UK

Solar farms have exploded in popularity in recent years to meet an increasing demand for electricity. Here are the biggest.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A graphic with a yellow arrow moving from the bottom left to top right pound in the style of a chart, above a person touching a plant next to their yellow electric car being charging by an electric home charger, an image of a black solar panel, and an image of a heat pump. The background is aquamarine

What’s going to happen to the UK’s electricity consumption?

Here's how the UK's rapid electrification will happen, why it’s necessary, and what it means for households across the country.

Photo of solar panel writer Josh Jackman against blank backgroundJosh Jackman
A man in high viz jacket and hardhat inspects a field of solar panels, blue filter overlaid, cartoon Earth globe next to him

The 9 largest solar farms in the world

Check out the biggest solar farms around the world, from Egypt and the UAE to India and China.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni
World map with teal-coloured oceans, small yellow cartoon solar panels dotted around, big yellow question mark in the centre

Where are solar panels made?

Solar panel production is heavily concentrated in a small group of countries, particularly in Asia. We dive into the details.

Photo of author Melody AbeniMelody Abeni

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