Is now a good time to install solar panels?
Energy prices have been anything but predictable in recent years, with sharp rises in 2022 still fresh in many households’ minds. And with global conflicts once again influencing energy and fuel costs, it’s no surprise to see that demand for solar panels is on the rise.
In this article, we look into four reasons why this spring is the best time to install solar panels, and lock in greater energy price certainty for years to come.
It’s cheaper to use your own solar power than power from the grid
Energy that you buy from your energy supplier tends to fluctuate throughout the year. In winter, wholesale energy prices increase due to demand – meaning your prices likely go up. In summer, there is less demand, so wholesale prices tend come back down again. The current conflict in the Middle East is leading to price volatility – with the energy price cap likely to increase in July 2026.
Installing solar panels and generating some of your electricity at home is a great way to protect yourself from these price fluctuations. Installing just 10 solar panels could cut an average family’s energy bill by up to £975 every year*.
How much can you save with solar?
Rich and Cath share how much their solar panels and Tesla Powerwall save them in their energy bills each year.
Export tariffs pay generously for the power you export to the grid
Export tariffs have come a long way in the last few years, and now offer homeowners a great way to earn money for their solar power when they aren’t using it in their own homes.
At Good Energy, we pay customers that get solar panels and battery storage installed by us a market-leading 25p for every unit of electricity they share wtih the grid for 12 months*.
For Imogen, this generous export tariff led to total export earnings of £587.50 in just the first 12 months, bringing their total savings from 12 solar panels and a 5kWh battery over £1,000 in their first year.
These earnings are passed onto customers as a credit on their bills – hugely helping to offset their energy costs in the winter months.
For customers without battery storage, Good Energy pay 15p/kWh – which adds up considering these customers will likely export 50% of the power they generate.
Solar panels make charging an EV even more cost-effective
With fuel prices on the rise, more people are considering upgrading their combustion engines for an electric car.
At Good Energy, we can install fully-integrated electric car chargers at the same time as your solar panels – resulting in cost-effective car charging, and an ultra-low cost per mile for decades to come.
Spring is a great time to get solar panels installed
Spring is one of the best times of year to install solar panels. As the days get longer and the sun climbs higher in the sky, your system will be perfectly timed to take full advantage of peak generation from April through to September.
With demand for solar continuing to grow, you may have seen reports of longer waiting times. Don’t let this put you off reaching out for a quote. Waiting lists may be longer, but by acting now, your system could still be installed and ready to make the most of the summer sunshine.
While spring offers an ideal starting point, the benefits aren’t limited to one season. Whatever time of year you install, you’ll start seeing savings on your bills from the very first month.
With solar panel packages starting from as little at £6,250 – and currently free from VAT, now is a good time to get solar panels installed. Complete our no-obligation solar quote journey to find out more.
Or call us on 0345 034 0755. Our experts are available on weekdays from 9am-5pm.
* Total annual bill savings are based on standard MCS calculations for a 10-panel (4.75kWp) solar system on a 3-bedroom East/West-facing home with no shading. That system is estimated to generate 4,822kWh per year, of which 2,000kWh is used at home, reducing electricity bought from the grid, and 2,822kWh exported at 15p/kWh through Good Energy’s Solar Savings tariff. Actual savings may vary depending on system size, tariff rates and household electricity use. Solar packages start from £6,250 (including installation). Price varies by property and system specification. For more information on how we calculate average solar savings, please visit: goodenergy.co.uk/solar-panel-savings.
**Solar Savings Exclusive is a 12 month tariff available to customers that install solar panels and a battery with Good Energy. While the rate is variable to new customers, once on the tariff your rate is fixed for 12 months. After this point, you will be moved automatically onto our standard rate export tariff, Solar Savings.
