Power Up Your Savings with Solar Panels and Battery Storage

 

Slash Your Energy Bills with Solar Panels: A Hampshire Homeowner’s Guide to Savings

Thinking about solar panels for your Hampshire home?

Excellent choice!

You’re not alone. More and more homeowners across Hampshire are turning to solar energy to combat rising electricity costs and reduce their carbon footprint. But how much can you actually save?

Let’s dive in and explore the exciting world of solar savings!

Factors Influencing Your Solar Savings

The amount you save with solar panels depends on a few key factors:

• Your energy consumption: The more electricity you use, the more potential for savings. Think about your daily habits. Do you run appliances throughout the day? Do you work from home? These factors play a role.

• Your roof’s suitability: A south-facing roof with minimal shading is ideal for solar panels. But don’t worry if your roof isn’t perfect! A qualified installer can assess your roof’s potential. Give Starks Solar a call on 01425 460419 for expert advice.

• The size of your solar panel system: A larger system will generate more electricity, leading to greater savings. Starks Solar can help you determine the right system size for your needs and budget.

• Available sunlight: Hampshire enjoys a decent amount of sunshine. While we may not be the sunniest county in the UK, you can still generate plenty of clean energy.

Calculating Your Potential Savings

Let’s crunch some numbers!

Imagine your Hampshire home uses 4,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year. A typical 4kWp solar panel system in Hampshire could generate around 3,500 kWh annually.

This means you could potentially cover around 87% of your electricity needs with solar energy!

Now, let’s factor in the cost of electricity. With the ever-increasing energy prices, let’s assume you pay 30 pence per kWh.

Without solar panels, your annual electricity bill would be:

4,000 kWh x £0.30/kWh = £1,200

With solar panels, you’re generating a significant portion of your electricity for free! You’ll only pay for the electricity you draw from the grid when your solar panels aren’t producing enough, like at night.

Let’s say you only need to buy 13% of your electricity from the grid:

4,000 kWh x 0.13 = 520 kWh

Your annual electricity bill with solar panels would be:

520 kWh x £0.30 = £156

That’s a potential annual saving of £1,044!

Remember: These are just estimates. Your actual savings will vary. Contact Starks Solar for a personalised assessment and a detailed breakdown of your potential savings.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)

Here’s another way you can save (and even earn!) with solar panels: the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).

The SEG allows you to sell any excess solar electricity you generate back to the grid. This means you can turn your solar panels into a mini power plant!

Energy suppliers pay you for the electricity you export. The rates vary between suppliers, so it’s worth shopping around for the best deal.

With the SEG, your solar panels can generate income, further boosting your overall savings.

Long-Term Savings and Financial Benefits

Solar panels are a long-term investment that can pay off significantly over their lifespan.

• Reduced energy bills: Enjoy lower electricity bills year after year.

• Increased property value: Solar panels can make your home more attractive to potential buyers.

• Protection against rising energy costs: With solar panels, you’re less vulnerable to future energy price hikes. Money saving expert predictions on the energy price cap.

• Return on investment: The savings you generate can often pay back the initial cost of your solar panel system within a few years.

 

Beyond the Financial Benefits

While the financial savings are a major draw, solar panels offer many other benefits:

• Environmental responsibility: Reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a cleaner planet.

• Energy independence: Generate your own clean energy and rely less on the grid.

• Increased home comfort: Solar panels can help keep your home cooler in the summer.

Is My Hampshire Home Suitable for Solar Panels?

Wondering if your home is right for solar panels? Here are some things to consider:

• Roof type: Most roof types are suitable for solar panels, including pitched roofs and flat roofs.

• Roof direction: A south-facing roof is ideal, but east- and west-facing roofs can also work well.

• Shading: Trees, chimneys, and other obstructions can reduce the efficiency of your solar panels.

• Planning permission: In most cases, you won’t need planning permission for solar panels. However, there are some exceptions, especially for listed buildings or conservation areas.

Not sure? Don’t worry! Starks Solar can conduct a free, no-obligation survey of your property to determine its suitability for solar panels.

Choosing the Right Solar Panel Installer

Selecting a reputable installer is crucial for a successful solar panel installation.

Here’s what to look for:

• Experience and expertise: Choose an installer with a proven track record and extensive experience in the solar industry.

• MCS certification: Ensure your installer is MCS certified, which is a requirement for accessing the Smart Export Guarantee. Find an installer certified with MCS here: https://mcscertified.com/find-an-installer/

• Quality products: Work with an installer who uses high-quality solar panels and components from reputable manufacturers. Here at Starks Solar we only use products we have tried and tested. This is to ensure quality, no problems for you as a client and saves us having to come to your home and fix the issue. View our products and brands here.

• Excellent customer service: Look for an installer who provides clear communication, transparent pricing, and ongoing support. Starks Solar are open and honest, you can see all our google reviews here.

Starks Solar ticks all these boxes! We’re a trusted local solar panel installer with a passion for delivering exceptional customer service and top-quality solar panel installations.

Making the Switch to Solar: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to embrace solar energy? Here’s a simple guide to get you started:

1. Contact Starks Solar: Give us a call or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation.

2. Property survey: We’ll conduct a thorough survey of your property to assess its suitability for solar panels.

3. System design and quote: We’ll design a bespoke solar panel system tailored to your needs and provide you with a detailed quote.

4. Installation: Our experienced team will install your solar panels efficiently and professionally.

5. Connection and commissioning: We’ll connect your system to the grid and ensure it’s operating optimally.

6. Ongoing support: We’re here to answer your questions and provide ongoing support even after your installation is complete.

 

Power Up Your Savings with Solar Panels and Battery Storage

Want to supercharge your solar savings?

Add a battery!

Solar panels generate clean energy during the day. But what happens when the sun goes down?

That’s where battery storage installation comes in.

A home battery lets you store excess solar energy for use when your panels aren’t producing, like at night or on cloudy days.

This means you can:

• Maximise your self-consumption of solar energy

• Reduce your reliance on the grid

• Take control of your energy use

How Battery Storage Works with Solar Panels

Think of a home battery as a personal energy bank.

1. Your solar panels generate electricity.

2. Any excess electricity that you don’t use immediately gets stored in the battery.

3. When your solar panels aren’t producing enough, you draw energy from the battery instead of the grid.

The Benefits of Battery Storage

• Increased energy independence: Rely less on the grid and take control of your energy supply.

• Greater savings: Use more of your free solar energy and reduce your electricity bills even further.

• Backup power: Have peace of mind knowing you have a backup power source in case of a power cut.

• Time-of-use tariffs: Optimise your energy usage with time-of-use tariffs like Octopus Go.

Octopus Go and Battery Storage: A Winning Combination

The Octopus Go tariff offers cheaper electricity rates overnight.

With a home battery, you can:

• Charge your battery with cheap overnight electricity.

• Use your stored energy during peak hours when electricity is more expensive.

Let’s see how this works in practice.

Imagine you have a 5 kWh home battery. You charge it overnight on the Octopus Go tariff at 7.5 pence per kWh.

Your charging cost would be:

5 kWh x £0.075/kWh = £0.375

Now, let’s say you use that stored energy during the day when electricity costs 30 pence per kWh.

You’ve effectively purchased 5 kWh of electricity at a much lower rate, saving you:

(5 kWh x £0.30/kWh) – £0.375 = £1.125

That’s just one example of how battery storage can amplify your savings!

Choosing the Right Home Battery

When selecting a home battery, consider these factors:

• Capacity: How much energy can the battery store?

• Power output: How much power can the battery deliver?

• Lifespan: How long will the battery last?

• Warranty: What warranty does the battery come with?

With a lot of battery storage installations now becoming outside or in un-insulated garages it is essential to research the type of battery you are looking for. Most of our batteries have heat pads. This keeps the battery working at optimum even in sub-zero temperatures. We are also very keen on safety so we also offer batteries not only with heat pads but also fire suppression to stop the worst from happening to your home.

Sigenergy SigenStor batteries have heat pads and Fire suppression.

EcoFlow batteries have heat pads and Fire suppression.

Tesla have heat pads.

Starks Solar can help you choose the perfect battery to complement your solar panel system and energy needs.

Solar Panels and Battery Storage: A Smart Investment for Hampshire Homes

Combining solar panels with battery storage is a powerful way to:

• Slash your energy bills

• Reduce your carbon footprint

• Gain energy independence

• Future-proof your home against rising energy costs

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Solar Panels in Hampshire

Q: How long do solar panels last?

A: Solar panels have a lifespan of 25-30 years or more.

Q: Will solar panels work in cloudy weather?

A: Yes, solar panels still generate electricity on cloudy days, although their output will be reduced.

Q: Do I need batteries for my solar panels?

A: Batteries are optional. They allow you to store excess solar energy for use later, but they also add to the initial cost of your system.

Q: What maintenance do solar panels require?

A: Solar panels require very little maintenance. Occasional cleaning may be necessary to remove dirt and debris.

Q: Are there any government incentives for solar panels?

A: The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is the main incentive currently available.

Take Control of Your Energy Future with Starks Solar

Investing in solar panels is a smart move for Hampshire homeowners.

• Reduce your energy bills.

• Shrink your carbon footprint.

• Increase your energy independence.

• Boost your property value.

Ready to take the leap? Contact Starks Solar today on 01425 460419 or visit our website at https://starks.solar to learn more and get a free quote.

Let’s make your Hampshire home a shining example of sustainable living!