With households across the UK having seen a 37%1 rise in energy bills during lockdown due to families being forced to stay indoors, the appeal for homeowners to go solar and reduce electricity costs by 70%2 has never been stronger.

Renewables such as solar are thriving after one of the hottest springs in UK history that had over 626 hours of sunshine3. The Met Office has also predicted “longer, drier and brighter spells4” this summer and beyond, making it peak time to make the most of the daylight.

To make sense of it all, experts from solar panel installers Effective Home have provided 10 money facts and tips that cut through the myths and misinformation, to help people save over £27,500 over a 30 year period5, whilst reducing their carbon emissions dramatically.

Savvy homeowners need to be aware that energy prices are on the rise, with the Office For National Statistic’s findings revealing that the average annual electricity bill increases by 7.03% annually, and that £1 worth of electricity today will cost £2.73 in 15 years-time.

Since lockdown started, there has been a reduction in pollution and a great boost in solar power. With fewer airplanes in the sky than normal, air pollution has fallen, allowing much stronger sunlight to hit the ground. Lockdown has proven to be very environmentally beneficial, and it has significantly increased the volume of solar energy homeowners can generate.

It’s no secret that the UK’s weather can be far from glorious sunshine, however that does not mean that solar panels pigeon proofing will only work in the days of better weather. They produce energy from light, not heat and can even work in the cloudiest of forecasts, meaning they can save people money all year round. The UK provides ample daylight with scope in some areas to generate as much solar energy as France or Spain.

Storing excess energy via a smart battery means that you minimise energy wastage. It is true that solar energy can only be generated in daylight, but with a battery storage system, the excess energy you produce in the day can be used when the sun goes down.

You do not need planning permission to have a solar panel system installed. It is only required for a listed building, designated Conservation Area or World Heritage site.

The installation of solar panels is a lot easier than you think. Most electricity systems are already connected to a utility grid, which makes for easier maintenance. They are built to withstand harsh weather conditions too, giving property owners piece of mind that they will not get damaged after installation. On top of this, they protect and preserve your roof by covering it.

Solar panels can increase the value of your property. They reduce energy bills and the amount of energy used, making a house greener and cheaper to run. This is an appealing trait for a property to a have for someone looking to buy.

Despite many people believing going solar is only possible if you own a large property, solar panels can actually fit on even the smallest of roof spaces. Special planning is put into action to ensure that solar panels can meet their highest potential for every single home.

If you sign up to grid trading, it allows you to trade any surplus energy that you produce on the UK’s energy market, so you can earn money along the way. Grid trading takes place throughout the year however, there is a bigger opportunity in the summer months when there are more hours of daylight, less energy being used to power homes.

40% of the UK’s carbon emissions come from households, and half of carbon emissions made from a home is generated by the energy people use6. Replacing carbon with solar is the one of the most effective ways to reduce our carbon footprint and help the environment.