Is Your Home Suitable for Solar Panels?

 

The performance of a solar PV system depends on several factors, including:

• roof orientation

• roof pitch

• available roof area

• shading from trees or neighbouring buildings

• the condition of the existing roof

• household electricity consumption

• when electricity is normally used

• future heating requirements

• electric vehicle charging

• battery storage

• available electrical capacity

​

Two similar houses can therefore receive very different benefits from the same number of solar panels.

​

​

How Many Solar Panels Do You Actually Need?

 

More panels do not automatically mean a better investment.

​

The right size of system should reflect the usable roof area, the amount of electricity your household consumes and how much of the generated electricity you are likely to use yourself.

​

A larger system may produce more electricity, but some of that power could be exported rather than consumed within the home.

​

This is why system sizing should be considered alongside your current and future electricity requirements.

​

For example, your demand could increase significantly if you later install:

• a heat pump

• air conditioning

• an electric vehicle charger

• electric hot-water heating

• additional home-office equipment

​

Planning these technologies together can produce a very different strategy from simply installing solar panels in isolation.

​

​

Is Battery Storage Worth Adding?

 

Battery storage allows electricity generated during the day to be stored for use later.

​

For some households this can substantially increase the amount of solar electricity they use themselves.

​

A battery may also allow electricity to be imported from the grid during cheaper tariff periods and used when electricity prices are higher.

​

However, batteries add significant cost to an installation.

​

Whether battery storage makes financial sense depends on:

• the amount of solar electricity generated

• how much electricity you use

• when you use it

• electricity tariffs

• battery capacity

• expected battery life

• export payments

• future electricity demand

​

The largest battery is not necessarily the best battery.

​

​

What Can You Earn From Exporting Electricity?

 

If your solar panels generate more electricity than your home is using, surplus electricity can potentially be exported to the grid.

​

Under the Smart Export Guarantee, qualifying small-scale generators can receive payments from participating electricity suppliers for electricity exported to the grid. Export rates and contract terms vary between suppliers.

​

This means the economics of solar should consider both:

​

the electricity you avoid buying

and

the electricity you may be paid to export.

​

​

Should You Install Solar Before Improving the House?

 

Sometimes yes.

Sometimes no.

​

A homeowner may be considering solar panels while the property still has:

• inadequate loft insulation

• poorly insulated walls

• inefficient heating

• old heating controls

• significant draughts

• poor ventilation

• inefficient glazing

​

In that situation, it may be worth comparing the benefit of solar with the benefit of improving the building itself.

​

Solar could still be the right investment, but it should form part of a wider plan.

​

​

What If You Are Planning a Heat Pump or Electric Vehicle?

 

This is where whole-home planning becomes particularly valuable.

​

Installing a heat pump or buying an electric vehicle can substantially increase household electricity demand.

​

A solar and battery system that looks appropriate today may therefore be undersized for your future requirements.

​

Likewise, if you are considering:

• solar panels

• battery storage

• a heat pump

• air conditioning

• an EV charger

​

it can make sense to look at them as one energy system rather than five unrelated purchases.

​

​

Solar Installers Will Naturally Sell Solar

 

There is nothing wrong with obtaining quotations from solar installers.

​

But an installer is naturally looking at your property from the perspective of the product they provide.

​

A solar company sells solar panels.

​

A battery company sells batteries.

​

A heat-pump company sells heat pumps.

​

APN Green Homes takes a different approach.

​

We do not start with the product. We start with your home.

​

The aim is to establish whether solar makes sense, how it fits with other improvements and where your money may be best invested.

​

​

Grants, Incentives and Tax Savings Could Reduce the Cost

 

Before committing to solar, it is worth checking what financial support may be available.

​

Eligible households in England may currently qualify for solar panels through the Warm Homes: Local Grant, although the scheme is targeted at qualifying lower-income households and eligible properties.

​

There are also important tax incentives. Professionally installed solar panels and qualifying electrical battery storage are currently eligible for 0% VAT, with the temporary zero rate scheduled to run until 31 March 2027 under the present rules.

​

In addition, qualifying solar installations can potentially earn export income through the Smart Export Guarantee.

​

As part of your Green Home Assessment, APN Green Homes considers the current grants, incentives and financial support relevant to the improvements being recommended for your property.

​

That could affect both what you install and when you install it.

​

​

Find Out Before You Spend

 

Before committing thousands of pounds to solar panels or battery storage, it is worth understanding:

• Is my roof suitable?

• How large should the system be?

• Do I actually need a battery?

• Would insulation or another improvement provide better value first?

• How will a future heat pump or EV affect the system I need?

• Could I earn money from exported electricity?

• Are there grants, incentives or tax savings available?

​

​

Get Independent Whole-Home Advice

 

APN Green Homes provides independent Green Home Assessments for homeowners considering significant energy improvements.

​

Your personalised report can consider:

• solar panels

• battery storage

• roof suitability

• electricity usage

• insulation

• heating and hot water

• heat pumps

• EV charging

• cooling

• glazing

• ventilation

• grants and incentives

• priorities for future improvements

​

The objective is simple:

​

to help you understand whether solar and battery storage are the right investment, what should come first and what financial assistance may be available before you commit.

​

​

Green Home Assessment — £495 + VAT

 

Get the plan before you start spending.