Can solar panels save you money on your energy bills?

We want to help as many of our customers achieve energy independence as possible. Generating your own energy means you won’t be exposed to changes in energy prices, and you can save up to 80% on your electricity bills on one of our competitive smart tariffs.

We’ve covered some of the main questions about getting solar panels in this blog, as well as a little bit about how Octopus helps with the process. We work closely with our expert installers every step of the way, and our dedicated solar specialists will make sure you’re on the best tariff for you once they’re installed.

Are solar panels worth it?

The energy crisis has shown just how much prices can change in a short period of time. Solar and battery technology have advanced a lot over the past few years, so it’s a great time to get involved. And Octopus has the best export rates in the market (36.34p p/kWh on Octopus Flux, and 32.52p on Intelligent Octopus Flux), which means you can start making money straight away by selling any extra energy back to the grid.

The cost of the installation depends on how many panels you need, and whether you choose to have battery storage. On average, the cost of our solar panel and battery storage installation is £9,368. Depending on where you live in the UK and your circumstances, you can get a Green Deal advice report to find out if you’re eligible for any grants or finance plans to help pay for solar panels.

For most homes, you won’t need planning permission for the installation. But if you live in a listed building, a conservation area or a national park, you’ll want to check with your local council and planning office before you go ahead.

How do solar panels work?

The UK might not be known for its sunshine, but we get more than enough sunlight to make solar panels a great investment. It’s true that the stronger the sunlight, the more electricity you can generate – but even when it’s cloudy, there’s enough light for solar panels to power your home.

We think solar panels are the future. Not only do they keep your costs down, but you’re also helping to generate renewable energy, so it’s good for the planet, too. This is how they work:

The installation process

We help you through the whole process, from design and installation to generation and customer support.

First, you can book a solar panel consultation and cost estimate. We check for a few things, like if your home has a clear space on a pitched (not flat), south-facing roof, that can fit solar panels. We’ll also need to have room to install scaffolding to complete your installation. Before the survey, we’ll take a fully refundable £500 deposit.

Our solar sales specialists will work with you to plan the perfect solar panel setup for your home, using state-of-the-art software to visualise the path of the sun, and where to position the panels on your roof. Then you’ll receive a quote which will include the estimated investment return period.

Next, you’ll need to decide if solar panels make sense for your pocket. If you use a lot of energy, solar panels and battery storage will save you the most money. If you have low usage, your payback period could take longer, so we’ll help you make sure it’s the right choice for you.

You can get solar panels on their own, or you can include a battery as well, depending on how much electricity you expect to generate and when you’ll use it most. For example, if you use a lot of energy in the evening, we’ll recommend a battery since you won’t be using a lot of energy when the sun is brightest during the day. That means you can store the electricity to use later.

Once you’re happy, we'll book an installation date that works for you. Installation should take 2-4 days, depending on the size of your system. We will also schedule time on either side of this to put up and take down the scaffolding at your property. Once installation is complete, we’ll request the remainder of the total cost.

After your installation

Once your solar panels are installed, our solar specialists are on hand to help with anything you need, like making sure you’re on the right tariff. And you can clearly see the energy you’re generating and exporting back to the grid using our app.

You’ll also be protected by a 2 year Workmanship Warranty Insurance scheme, provided by Qualitymark, and our equipment is also guaranteed by its manufacturer:

• Solar Panels: 12 years product warranty and 25 years linear power warranty
• Inverters: 10 years
• Batteries: minimum of 10 years depending on product

We’ve covered everything you need to know about getting solar panels here, but you can always get in touch if you’d like us to walk you through it. And remember – Octopus has the best export rates on the market, so you’re in the right place to make the most out of a solar panel installation.