We’re often asked ‘are Solar PV panels worth it’? In short, yes, we would say that solar panels are a good investment for your home. Over 1.7m homes in the UK have solar panels so they have become a hugely popular choice for those seeking to reduce their energy bills, reduce their emissions, and generate additional income from the Grid using clean, renewable electricity.
Why are they becoming ever more popular? They're a proven technology with almost guaranteed outputs and benefits. That, and the fact the cost of panels has reduced considerably over the last decade or more, alongside an established supply chain making it quicker and easier to have them installed.
Let’s take a quick look at the ten reasons solar panels are a good investment:
The amount you save will obviously depend on the size of the system. To give you an idea:
There are a number of scenarios when your investment in clean energy technology should avoid solar panels. For example:
Some people just don’t like the look of solar panels, but they’re increasingly fewer and further between as more people have them installed and they become accepted more widely. There are some occasions, of course, where solar PV is just not going to be an option for homeowners: most apartment buildings, conservation areas and listed buildings, weak roofs etc. The fact is that, for many, they are a fantastic, proven technology and every household with enough available and structurally sound roof space could benefit from having solar installed.
They save you money, and they’ll continue to save you money for the next 25 years or more. They need minimal maintenance and they reduce your environmental impact. They’re straightforward to install and your Thermly installer will be able to provide all the detail you need during the survey. Hopefully you’re now convinced they’re the right way forward.
So how can we help you take the next step?
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Read this article: Are solar panels worth it in the UK? | Thermly. We explain the full details here and provide a useful and concise guide for you. But the short answer is—in the main, yes. They’re a proven technology with a good payback—so if you have the right roof space and the ability to invest in them, then go for it.
It depends how much you pay for them, and how big the system is, what your current energy tariff is, how much you get for exporting from your supplier, whether you have a batttery, where you live in the UK, your occupancy pattern (when you’re in the house), and so forth. But basically, we work on the basis of (typically) between 7 and 12 years, with an overall lifespan of the panels in excess of 25 years.
North-facing solar panels are generally not recommended in the UK as they receive significantly less direct sunlight, reducing output by 40% compared to south-facing panels. In most cases, the reduction in generation makes the investment much harder to justify financially. A Thermly adviser can assess your specific roof and tell you whether installation is worthwhile.
Yes, they can, depending on your location. Research by moneysupermarket.com, for example, shows that solar panels increase UK property values, with an uplift of between 4–14% depending on system size, property type, and local market. Solar panels improve your home's Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating—which is increasingly important as mortgage lenders and buyers pay more attention to energy efficiency.
This is a fair concern, since solar panels generate most electricity during daylight hours when many households are out. However, the answer depends on the technology you install. Without a battery, you would export most of your generated electricity to the grid and earn money through the Smart Export Guarantee instead of saving it directly on your bill. We have an article explaining what you can get on this: https://www.thermly.co.uk/articles/can-you-sell-solar-energy-back-to-the-grid. With a battery added to your system, you store the daytime generation and use it in the evening when you return home, typically delivering a better financial return. Thermly can help you model both options based on your specific usage patterns.
