The Complete Guide To Choose Solar Panels for Your Home

Switching to solar panels is a big decision that will transform your home’s energy independence and make a long-lasting positive environmental impact. 

If you’re starting your journey to become a solar-powered home, here’s everything you should know about choosing the right solar panels, from basic types of panels to the installation process and associated costs.

How Do Solar Panels Work?

Solar panels comprise many individual photovoltaic cells made of silicon that capture sunlight and convert it into usable electricity. Each cell contains two layers of silicon treated with different materials. The first layer is usually treated with phosphorous to create a negative charge, while the other is treated with boron to make a positive charge. There becomes an electric field between the negative and positive charges, similar to a battery.

When sunlight hits your solar panels and the cells within them, the silicon material absorbs photons of light. This energises the silicon electrons and forces them to break free from their atoms. Then, the electric field forces these free electrons to flow in a specific way, bringing the negative layer toward the positive. This flow becomes what we know as electricity.

As it is, this electricity is direct current (DC) energy. Unfortunately, DC isn’t compatible with most household systems and appliances. They require alternating current (AC) energy. The solar system uses an inverter to transform the DC into usable AC power. 

The converted AC electricity then flows into your home’s electrical system (if using the energy immediately) or a backup battery (for later use). If you don’t have a battery and are generating more energy than you can use, your system likely feeds the excess energy back to the power grid.

Modern solar panels can convert anywhere from 12-22% of the sunlight they capture into usable electricity, with monocrystalline panels achieving the best efficiency rates. Even though this rate might not seem high, it creates significant power when you consider the large surface area of a typical rooftop array.

Types of Solar Panels

There are three primary types of solar panels:

• Monocrystalline Panels: Monocrystalline panels are the gold standard in solar. They are made from a single crystal of silicon, which provides the highest efficiency rates (15-22%) and a sleek appearance. These panels also perform better in low-light conditions, which is critical for UK homes. Plus, they require less roof space for installation. All EcoFlow Solar Panels are monocrystalline, providing optimal reliability and performance.
• Polycrystalline Panels: Similar to monocrystalline panels, yet made by combining multiple silicon crystals, polycrystalline panels are more affordable but can’t compete in efficiency (13-17%). Their distinctive blue-patterned look is not as low-profile as monocrystalline, and they tend to require more space to achieve the same power output. Still, they may be a better option than grid electricity for those on a budget who are still interested in renewable energy solutions.
• Thin-Film Panels: These flexible panels are the least efficient option, but their lightweight and versatile construction makes them a good choice for unique installations where rigid panels won’t work. However, you’ll still need even more space to generate equivalent power, so they’re typically only used in special circumstances.

Cost of Solar Panels

There’s more to the cost of solar panels than just the panels themselves. Here’s a breakdown of the total cost of your solar panel system.

• Panels: Panels can cost anywhere from £200-600 per panel, depending on the type and efficiency. Panels represent anywhere from 25-30% of the total system cost.
• Inverter: The inverter is an essential element that transforms DC energy into usable AC electricity. It ranges from £800-2,000 and represents around 10% of the system price.
• Battery: Your battery is where the converted energy is stored for use. A battery system usually costs a few thousand pounds, between £2,000 and £ 8,000, depending on its capacity.
• Electrical: To ensure a safe system integration in your home, additional electrical wiring and other components cost an additional £500-1,500.
• Mounting Hardware: Mounted systems require specific equipment to be fixed to your roof, which can cost an extra £200-500. For example, if you’re using EcoFlow Rigid Solar Panels like the EcoFlow 100W or EcoFlow 400W Rigid Solar Panels, you’ll need to pay for mounting hardware to secure the panels to your roof or other structure. Portable solar panel systems won’t require mounting costs.
• Labour: Paying for professional installation can make the process seamless, but it can cost you up to £3k in additional fees depending on how complex your system is and where the installation location is.
• Documentation: Any UK solar system requires permits and certificates to meet all legal requirements. You can’t skip this additional £200-400 in fees.

Together, all of these elements will create your solar panel kit. For something more portable and flexible, choose EcoFlow Solar Generators, which include everything from panels to a built-in inverter and battery. They don’t require mounting, labour, or additional electrical components, helping you save money.

Other ways to save include taking a DIY approach to installation to avoid additional labour costs or opting for a portable system that doesn’t require installation or integration into your home electricity.

Another thing to remember when considering solar panels is the payback period, which determines the time required to use the solar panels before you’ve saved as much money as you spent on the system. It’s essentially your breakeven point for the investment. A good breakeven point for solar energy is anywhere from 8 to 10 years. 

If you’re considering an array with a much longer solar payback period, it may not be worth the initial investment unless you feel confident your system will still run efficiently then and you’ll still live in the home.

Solar Panel Installation Process

Here, we’ll walk you through installing your solar panel array.

1. Choosing an Installer and Equipment: First, research certified installers in your area and gather a few quotes to compare prices. You’ll also need to select the equipment that can satisfy your energy needs while remaining within budget. Double-check that the equipment is compatible with your home’s current electricity infrastructure.
2. Site Assessment and Design: Your chosen installers will then professionally evaluate your roof, including its condition, angle, and exposure to the sun. Engineers can create a custom system design based on your home and roof, helping bring the vision to life.
3. Permits and Documentation: Before any work is done, secure local regulators’ necessary permissions and approvals. If your system will be grid-tied, the right installer should be able to handle most of the paperwork, including grid connection agreements.
4. Installation: Your solar company will send a team of professionals to mount the panels, install the inverter, and integrate the system into your electrical system. This process takes time, usually 1-3 days, depending on the system size, location, and roof slope.
5. Inspection and Connection: Your local authority will inspect the system to ensure it complies with all safety and energy regulations. If connecting to the grid, this is when that takes place for energy export.
6. Activation: Finally, you’ll test and activate your system, including setting up remote monitoring and training for you and anyone in your home who wants to learn how to manage it.

Grants & Funding for Solar Panels in the UK

Several UK government initiatives are designed to make solar installations more affordable for residents. Homeowners benefit from a 0% VAT on solar panels and installation costs (reduced from 5%), saving big per installation. The average 4kW home system saves around £2,850 with this benefit. This incentive also extends to other solar equipment like batteries, making your entire renewable energy system more affordable.

Additionally, under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), you can receive payments for excess electricity exported to the national grid, up to £735 annually for a medium-sized home with a 4kW system plus battery storage. 

Further support is available from the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2), which offers up to £25,000 for energy improvements in homes not connected to the gas grid.

Low-income households can find more support through the Energy Company Obligation Scheme (ECO4). This scheme permits low-income homes to replace an inefficient heating system with an updated, environmentally friendly option. The grant can pay for some (or all) solar panel costs if you can get a professional recommendation.

These schemes benefit everyone, especially lower-income households or those with poor Energy Performance Certificate ratings. They will cut down on upfront costs and help minimise the solar payback period for your system, making your investment more worthwhile. 

Contact your local provider or government for more information about eligibility and other local relief options.

How Many Solar Panels Are Needed to Power a Typical House?

Determining how many solar panels you need requires several key steps.

First, check your monthly electricity usage from recent bills. Using this information, you can calculate your estimated daily energy consumption by dividing your 30-day usage by 30. 

You should also consider how many hours of sunlight your area gets daily. Homes in the UK usually see around 4-6 hours of usable sunlight daily. You can then calculate your required solar power by dividing your daily energy needs by sunlight hours.

Most UK households require at least a 4.5kW solar system, usually around 12 panels. However, the exact wattage and panel number you need will vary based on your home size, energy consumption, and roof space. For a more precise calculation, consider local climate conditions and panel efficiency.

Our complete solar panel guide provides further support for finding the most suitable solar array for your home.

Are Solar Panels Right for Your Home?

Solar panels are a wonderful option for those looking to become more eco-friendly and save money each month on electricity. However, they’re not suitable for everybody. Here’s how to determine if it’s a worthwhile investment for your home.

• Roof Angle: The ideal roof angle for installed panels is between 30 and 40 degrees in the UK. At this orientation, the panels will get maximum sun exposure all year. However, you can also accommodate various angles through modern mounting systems.
• Sunlight Hours: Average sunlight hours significantly impact your systems’ overall efficiency. Local weather patterns and seasonal variations come into play here, so you may want to reconsider a solar system if you consistently get less than 4 hours of direct light daily.
• Roof Layout: Does your roof have obstacles like chimneys, skylights, and vents throughout? All of these elements can get in the way of solar arrays. Ideally, your array will have an unobstructed area on the south-facing side of your roof for optimal conditions. However, you can still generate adequate energy with east- or west-facing setups.
• Sturdiness: Your roof needs to be sturdy enough to support the extra weight of the panels and mounting equipment. Professionals can assess the structural integrity of your roof to ensure it can withstand the addition. If not, additional reinforcement may be required before mounting any panels.
• Other Setup Location Options: If your roof doesn’t provide ideal conditions, you can also set up your solar panels on the ground to optimise orientation and angle. However, you’ll need ample land and appropriate permits for this approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Solar panels are a significant investment for your home, but they open a world of possibilities for the future by helping you save money on your home electricity bill month after month. In addition to cost savings, a solar array also contributes to preserving the environment by limiting fossil fuels and providing you with energy independence. Solar-powered homes can continue their regular activities uninterrupted when the grid faces outages.

Going solar isn’t a simple choice or quick process; it requires careful consideration and research. Carefully consider your home’s energy needs, roof suitability, and available incentives to manage costs to make an informed decision about whether or not it makes sense for you to adopt solar.

Other options are available if you don’t want a fully installed and integrated solar home energy system. EcoFlow’s Solar Panels can be connected to our portable power stations and used as an alternative to roof-mounted systems. Besides using solar panels and a battery system at home, you can take your portable panels and battery system anywhere, whether you are camping, hiking, or on other trips.

Explore our collection to find the perfect solution for your energy independence journey.