Are solar panels a good investment?

Installing solar panels at your home or business premises can reduce your carbon footprint and earn you money. Not only do solar PV systems cut your energy bills, they can also actually bring in profit through the government's incentive schemes. We use smart data so you can compare energy prices in less than a minute.

How can people profit from solar energy?

People can also profit from solar energy by having solar panels installed on their own homes or businesses in order to take advantage of net metering to reduce utility bills. Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work.

Why do solar panels cost so much?

The only additional cost factors are the upfront costs of installing a solar system and the fossil fuel electricity costs needed when solar doesn't cover all energy needs. While the most efficient solar panels on the market today have efficiency ratings as high as 23%, the majority of panels range from a 15% to 20% efficiency rate.

How much power do solar panels provide?

Nearly 30% told us that their solar panels provided between a quarter and a half of the total electricity they needed over a year. There's a huge seasonal variation in how much of your power solar panels can provide. Read our buying advice for solar panels to see how much of your power solar panels could generate in summer.

How much do solar panels cost?

The price of a typical 3.5 kilowatt-peak PV solar panel system is about £7,000. Based on the Energy Saving Trust's figures, it could take someone living in the middle of the country, in a typical home, anywhere between 12 and 17 years to recoup the costs of installing panels, based on current Energy Price Cap rates.

How much does a solar system cost?

It represents one of the most proven and effective ways to switch to clean electricity. Solar panels cost around £4,000 – £6,000 to install, but the solar energy system will more than pay for itself over the twenty years plus lifetime.