If you’re attending WordCamp US 2024 in person or online, I have great news! In late August, we got our first look at the full lineup and schedule for this year’s event, which will be held in Portland, Oregon from September 17-20.
8 Mistakes I Made When Building My First WordPress Plugin Using AI (With No Prior Development Experience)
As the title of this article says, I have no formal development experience. Prior to taking this plunge into building my first plugin, the most coding I was capable of, was fumbling my way through some HTML and CSS. But! I was damn enthusiastic about building a WordPress plugin, so I decided to see if all the fear mongering about AI replacing junior developers had any merit.
Growth of Homes with Solar Panels in the UK
Clean, Cheap and Renewable, Solar Panels save home owners money as well.
How many UK households have Solar Panel Systems installed?
From folly to mainstream; solar panels are no longer for the middle class good-lifer’s and are now standard features on many homes and on every new home they are now standard. Here’s some head line facts about solar in the UK today:-
- As of February 2024 a total of 1.468,612 million homes (4.6%) now have solar panels across the UK.
- In 2023 191,524 solar panel systems were installed, which is more than in any time since 2015, (when Feed In Tariffs subsidies were high).
- Anglesey has the most solar panel systems, closely followed by Cambridge is the UK with the highest percentage of solar homes.
As solar becomes mainstream home technology the over 1.4 million homes now accounts for 15.8 GW solar capacity, significantly contributing towards the Governments target of 40GW solar electricity by 2030. While 1.4 million sounds a lot, it is just 4.9% of the UK’s 28.4 million households, but the trend is now upwards on a rapidly accelerating trajectory. Not only are home owners fitting solar panels to their existing homes (called retrofitting) at an increasing rate, but due to new regulations on new build homes (Part L regulations June 2022) all new homes will be required to be build with solar panels installed.
Solar Panels highest in the South
Solar Panel distribution is not even across the UK. The South and west lead the way in solar panel adoption, but this adoption is not purely following the sun, but it probably does help that where the sunlight in the UK is strongest so is where solar panel adoption is at its highest. So, Anglesey, Devon and Dorset all lead the way with the highest number of households with solar installations at over 13%. Driving up the South West’s household penetration to 7.08%. But then Cambridgeshire and the Scottish Borders closely follow with over 12% and 10% respectively prove that it is not just the amount of sun that drives solar panel installation!
Housing Associations and councils have also adopted solar panels on new homes as well as solar panel installers working hard in developing their customer base in specific geographic areas. Innovative ideas such as group purchase deals, (get everyone on a street to all go solar together) and focused direct marketing on specific areas have all driven localised and region increases in solar panels. Attitude shift is also driving the next wave of solar panel adoption.
Householders Attitude to Solar Panels has also Changed
Solar panels used to be a quirk for the ‘do-gooders’ in society, the ‘eco-warriors’ but is now seen as a very acceptable and desirable household feature. A 2023 government survey on heat and energy shows that 66% of all respondents and 70% of people living in owner-occupied homes would likely consider installing solar panels in their homes in the next few years.
This is further supported by a report by Solar Energy UK about public attitudes towards renewable energy technology shows that solar energy is hugely popular, especially compared to other energy sources. Public support is consistently high, with polling results showing that 90% of the public supports solar panel energy. Even solar farms, the least visually appealing representation of solar energy is well supported and strengthening over time among people living near them as they recognise their benefits.
One major shift in society is that homeowners believe that installing solar panels as the third most significant home improvement priority after fitting a new bathroom, kitchen, or windows.
Solar Panels Coming of Age
Renewable Energy Institute shows that 2023 saw a record number of domestic green energy installations, with over 17,000 households installing solar panels monthly. This is set to increase as energy bills set to continue to increase, in October 2024 another +10% energy price rise has just been confirmed. With every new home now including mandatory solar and the advent of domestic battery storage now reducing energy dependence even further.
The final main driver for sailor growth is that the price of solar has fallen hugely since its first launch. Typically solar panel systems have fallen by around 80% since 2010. It is now far cheaper to install solar panels than a new kitchen or bathroom. With systems now lasting for over 25 years they are also seen as an asset to a house.
Everything You Need to Know About Solar Panel Installation
How To get Solar Panels For Your Home
The thought of getting solar panels installed might sound challenging, its actually quite simple and easy as long as you follow these guidelines. Let us take you through the process step-by-step, from your initial enquiry to aftercare, so you’ll be ready to begin your solar energy journey.
Selecting Your Solar Partner
Always pick an approved partner. Solar panels are not a DIY job on a house, always use a professional solar panel installer. You need to be working with an approved and certified installer by an accredited independent solar panel body such as the following.
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- MCS approval (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) for the system installation standards for solar panels.
- TrustMark is the ONLY government-endorsed quality standards scheme for trades that operate in and around the home.
- RECC Renewable Energy Consumer Code is the leading solar panel trade body covering all the factors that contribute to a high standard of consumer service, before, during and after a contract is agreed.
- NAPIT certificated scheme members have demonstrated their competence, they hold the necessary insurances and have the right processes and procedures to assure compliance.
- Solar Energy UK is an established trade association working for and representing the entire solar and energy storage value chain.
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- At Absolute Solar we pride ourselves in being accredited members of these solar panel trade bodies. That ensures we supply and install trusted solar panels systems delivering  professional installation every time. Our accreditations ensure we are delivering installation too the highest standards while  giving you peace of mind that we only have trusted quality designs, products, professional installation and the best customer experience available.
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Solar Panel Installation Process (or how we do it at Absolute Solar)
This is our process to support your solar panel journey.
- Appointment
Before you call to make an appointment with a company, it’s important to make sure you know exactly what questions to ask. To fit solar panels to a house there are a few key points which a reputable company should ask. Firstly do you own the home? If not then the home owner will need to be consulted. Secondly does it have a south facing roof without shading? (from trees other buildings for example). Do you know your energy usage, information from your electricity bill? And finally know your postcode so that a desk top survey can be done to assess roof material type, access to the south facing roof and any build constraints.
Calling Absolute Solar with this information enables the office team to talk you through the solar installation process and can give you information on costs, savings, and what will be best for you and your home in one simple conversation. They will give you an initial quote (which the detailed survey will confirm) and arrange for a qualified survey to visit your home and confirm all details.
2. Survey
The office team will then pass your enquiry onto the survey team who confirm a final specification and quote for the installation. They will explain the different type of solar panels, how they work and the layout of all elements of the system with you, including battery storage. The survey team will also flag any risks or potential problems with the installation at this stage and will let you know if you’ll need to apply for a G99 certificate (greater than 3.68kW) to get approval from the grid operator. For smaller systems less than 3.68kW no priory approval is required.
3. Installation Process
One we have confirmed the specification of the solar panel system to meet your needs, its layout and configuration with you we will then agree an installation date with you to meet your needs.
4. Scaffolding
Once everything’s been checked and approved, you’ll need scaffolding installed around your home. We’ work with a trusted local scaffolding contractor to put up secure supports that will make the process easier and safe for everyone.
5. Panel Installation
The most effective way to retrofit solar panels too a roof is using an approved rail and bracket system. A secure hook is fastened to the rafters underneath your roof tiles and the rails are attached to these exposed hooks across the length of the solar array. The panels are then laid on top of the rails, ready to be connected. This process is usually completed within a day.
6. Inverter and Battery Installation
Once the solar panels have been installed one of our qualified electricians will connect the solar panels to the inverter. The inverter converters DC power to AC power so it can be used in your home. It also feeds excess electricity to the grid. Our design experts will choose the right inverter size for your needs, and then the electrician will install it in the most suitable and available space such as a garage. Installed alongside with the inverter, a battery will help you to save even more money, as battery storage stores unused electricity and then releases it for use when you need it in the evenings and mornings, when there is no sunlight.
7. Handover
Once the installation is completed we take you though the handover process commissioning the system with your energy company. The electrician as the installer will talk you through your system and complete the paperwork with you. Then our office team will send you all the relevant paperwork for your system and register it with the MCS (Microgeneration Certification System) and your energy company. They will then send you your solar certificate (G98) and you can start to enjoy your energy savings.Â