Winter is a great time to invest in solar. Here’s why…

Winter can be an expensive time for energy usage, so the sooner you get a helping hand from your solar panels, the better. Immediately after installation, your panels will start generating electricity that you can use in your home, so you'll be saving on your energy bills and topping up your battery (if you have one).

If your panels are installed in winter, by spring and summer you should be set up and ready to sell energy back to the grid in time for the sunniest days. It doesn't take too long to get you set up: after your panels are installed, we send the necessary paperwork to your local electricity network (the DNO). They then set up your export details so any extra electricity you generate can be sent back to the grid. This process usually takes up to 30 days.

Solar PV panels work by converting light particles into electrons, so as long as it’s daytime, they should still generate roughly a quarter of the electricity produced in the summer, even on the gloomiest of days. It’s also worth knowing that a bit of rain can actually be handy as a way of washing away any dust or dirt that could be blocking important sunlight.

The stronger the sunlight, the more energy can be generated, so the highest energy yield is usually around midday on a clear day. The longer the day, the more energy you’ll produce. However even on the shortest days, you’ll still be able to generate enough power to help pay for your energy usage.

With a battery, it doesn't matter what time of year it is if you'd like to take advantage of excellent export rates with our dedicated solar and battery energy tariffs: Octopus Flux and Intelligent Octopus Flux.

With Flux, you’ll have the option to top up your battery with super-cheap grid electricity from 2am to 5am (when grid energy is greenest). Then between 4pm and 7pm, if there’s any left over, you can sell energy back to the grid for almost double the price you paid during the off-peak period (per kWh). Plus, by exporting green energy during times when grid demand is high, you’re also contributing to the amount of green electrons in the grid, reducing the need for coal power stations to be turned on — so you're saving money while helping the environment.

Alternatively, the cheap energy you use to top up your battery at night can work hand-in-hand with your solar panels to power your home during darker daytimes, helping to lower the cost of your winter energy usage.

Getting solar and battery power installed at home is one of the best things you can do for the environment at home. According to the Energy Savings Trust, a typical home solar PV system could save around one tonne of carbon per year, depending on where you live in the UK.

We’re seeing signs of global warming all too often across the globe, and it can be easy to feel powerless. By turning your home into a mini green power station, you can regain that power by doing something that makes a difference and future-proofing your home at the same time.

Thinking about expanding your green power station? Solar and battery systems play brilliantly with heat pumps and electric cars. Imagine how smug you'll feel keeping your home cosy or charging your car using the power of the sun.

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