Solar panels are becoming increasingly popular amongst home owners, with many residents attempting to save on their energy bills by switching to the alternative energy generator.
Others see solar panels as a long-term investment that will reap benefits in years to come, viewing solar power systems as a renewable energy source over current supplies.
According to Zoopla, installations had increased by 29% in the annum leading up to December 2015 as evidenced in government figures – surging the total figure of systems to over 800,000 throughout the UK.
Although the solar panel costs can appear initially high, it is believed that there are many long term benefits of installing solar panels to your roof, as the solar power systems are able to generate energy without the need for direct sunlight.
The pros of Solar panel energy
If you’re looking for a long term and potentially money-making investment, solar energy can be a profitable route to take due to its renewable and ever-growing nature.
Solar power systems can further slash your energy bills in the long-run, producing free to run electricity powerful enough to sustain a household. To subsidize the upfront cost of installation, the UK government also offer various grants.
Solar water heaters and solar battery power additionally benefit the eco-friendly status of a household, making them a safe alternative energy resource for the future. Producing no pollution whilst supplying energy, the method can benefit the environment to a large extent.
Some solar panel consumers have invested in the systems for business purposes, with electricity suppliers now paying for household-generated energy at above-reasonable prices. Consumers simply install the solar panels, and begin to be paid for their produce.
The cons of Solar panel energy
However, some evidence suggests that following a large initial sum to install the solar power systems, the alternative energy method is slow to repay its cost – that is if you aren’t lucky enough to receive a government grant to cover the initial price.
With fluctuating repayments, predominantly affected by seasonal weather and climates, solar energy households are therefore often stuck in an imbalance of financial gain.
In addition to the solar panel cost, their aesthetic image hardly pleases the eye. Their squared frames and blackened plates often contrast with many homes, leading to an unappealing asset for the consumer.
And the fact that their maintenance could rack up a costly bill in new roof tiles begs the question as to whether their energy bill savings are worth the hassle all together.
A consistent maintenance - also coming at a cost from electricity suppliers – is essential to ensuring the best results from the solar panel systems.
For UK residents, there may also be a significantly lower conversion rate of electricity in comparison to other nations. Although solar energy can operate without the need of direct sunlight, its results are often much lower than expected when working in dull or gloomy conditions.
Solar panels are becoming increasingly marketable, yet whether electricity suppliers can improve the quality of their solar water heater, solar battery and solar panel systems to reduce the upfront and running cost of the alternative energy method is yet to be seen.