Growth of Homes with Solar Panels in the UK

by Absolute SolarMidlands Renewable Energy Installer, solar panels, Solar Panels PV Leicester 29th August 202429th August 2024No Comments

Clean, Cheap and Renewable, Solar Panels save home owners money as well.

Solar Panels on home in UK, by Absolute Solar

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.

Absolute Solar Gas Safe Registered

by Absolute Solarcarbon neutral, go green, save the environment 2nd March 202313th April 2023No Comments

Absolute Solar is Gas Safe Registered. As company which since 1991 worked to improve home owners homes through range of improvements including:-

Cavity Wall Insulation
Loft Insulation
External Wall Cladding
Internal Wall Cladding
Solar Panel PV Systems

We are delighted to add boiler upgrades to our service offering. Upgrading your boiler saves home owners significant amounts of money by installing a modern boiler system. We deliver a complete offering to people looking to improve their homes by upgrading and installing energy efficient modern boiler systems.

Gas Safe Register

Gas Safe is a Government approved not for profit body. Which works with its members through continual improvement and best practice sharing to deliver excellent customer service and protection for homeowners.

A gas engineer can only be aligned to a registered business and be issued with a license to undertake gas work on behalf of a registered business if they hold a valid and current qualification. This evidence of competence relates only to matters of gas safety and is obtained by every engineer through a recognised route of training and assessment.

Gas Safe Register is the only official gas registration body of gas businesses and engineers in the United Kingdom. By law all gas businesses must be on the Gas Safe Register. Absolute Solar’s Gas Safe Register number is 936950 and we are registered to deliver the following services for domestic customers for natural gas and LPG.

Services Building Regulations using Natural Gas and LPG
Extension to Existing Heating System
Flue Liners
Heating Controls Separate to Heating Appliances
Heating System
Hot Water System with Vented Hot Water Storage
Hot Water System without Storage
Non-masonry Flue
Waste Water Heat Recovery Device

We also undertake several other services under the Gas Safe Register including –

Combustable Performance Analysis,
Central Heating DOM NG,
Pipework DOM NG,
Meters DOM NG,
Water Heaters DOM NG,
Unvented Hot Water Cylinders G3 (Build Regs) and vented cylinders.

Absolute Solar Gas Safe Registered

Absolute Solar is a family owned and run solar panel PV installer. Originally established in 1991 to fit insulation (cavity wall and loft) for local builders it has grown to reflect demand for solar PV systems. Absolute Solar installs thousands of insulation measures each year into new homes and in upgrading existing home owners properties. Renamed in 2009 as Absolute Solar we have so far installed over 9000 solar panel PV systems throughout the Midlands. With 40 employees the company is based in Ashby De La Zouch, Leicestershire we cover the Midlands, primarily from Peterborough to Birmingham, from Sheffield to Oxford.

For Absolute Solar Gas Safe Registration demonstrates the company’s values and culture in providing a total solution for our customers. We support people make the transition to a low (zero) carbon future with their homes while lowering their energy costs. If you would like to know more about Absolute Solar and its Gas Safe Register approval, click this link to contact us today.

Get your quote for solar panel PV systems click contact Absolute Solar here

Gas Safe Register click here to Absolute Solar accreditation page.

Absolute Solar Trustmark Approved

by Absolute Solarcarbon neutral, go green, Midlands Renewable Energy Installer 26th January 20239th March 2023No Comments

Absolute Solar is now Trustmark Approved. Having been installing solar panel PV systems since 2009 Absolute Solar prides itself on the quality of work it delivers to its customers. Solar panel PV installation is a highly skilled operation which requires installers to go through vigorous and continual assessment. This assessment across their entire business to continually ensure that they meet (and exceed) the standards for installation set by national bodies. One key accreditation customers can rely upon above all others is Trustmark. Absolute Solar is fully Trustmark Approved.

While many approvals are not always seen by the public in Health and Safety, compliance and training for example. Accreditations such as MCS NAPIT mean a huge amount within the industry but may mean very little to consumers. Other approvals can mean much more to customers. Trustmark approval is a consumer focused approval which demonstrates true a commitment to the consumer.

Trustmark

Trustmark is a Government approved not for profit body. Which works with its members through continual improvement and best practice sharing to deliver excellent customer service and protection for homeowners.

The aim of Trustmark is to provide the highest level of assurance, certainty and protection to homeowners looking to have work done on and in their home. As a registered Trustmark business Absolute Solar have been thoroughly vetted and approved. We are continually monitored to ensure we meet the standards in technical competence, customer service and trading practices that customers can rely upon.

Trustmark Approved

Trustmark ensures that as a registered Trustmark business, Absolute Solar will provide guarantees on our work and have clear and simple resolution processes in place to support our customers.

See Absolute Solar’s registration here: https://www.trustmark.org.uk/firms/Absolute-Solar-Ltd-7254

Absolute Solar

Is a family owned and run solar panel PV installer. Originally established in 1991 to just fit insulation (cavity wall and loft) for local builders it has grown to reflect demand for solar PV systems. Renamed in 2009 as Absolute Solar we have installed over 9000 systems throughout the Midlands. With 40 employees the company is based in Ashby De La Zouch, Leicestershire and covers the Midlands, from Peterborough to Birmingham, from Sheffield to Oxford.

For Absolute Solar Trustmark approval demonstrates the company’s values and culture in working with customers. We support customers make the transition to a low (zero) carbon future with their homes. If you would like to know more about Absolute Solar and its Trustmark approval, click this link:- https://www.trustmark.org.uk/firms/Absolute-Solar-Ltd-7254/Ashby-De-La-Zouch-34385.

Get your quote for solar panel PV systems click contact Absolute Solar here

Absolute Solar; solar and battery storage systems.

Solar panels and battery storage save you money

by Absolute SolarBattery Storage, go green, Midlands Renewable Energy Installer, Prime Hybrid Energy Systems, Renewable Energy, Solar and Storage, solar and storage system, solar panel array + storage home system, apply now, Solar panel system upgrade, solar panels 27th September 20193rd January 2023Comments are Disabled

The next generation of renewable energy technology for the home combines the efficient energy conversion of free solar energy (the solar effect was first discovered by Edmund Bequerel in 1839). Solar panels save home owners money by generating renewable energy for your home. Solar panels only generate electricity during the daylight hours. So by storing spare electricity using battery smart storage to use in the evenings and early morning when most people use most electricity save you money.

Solar Panel Technology

Modern Solar PV panel system consists of a series panels each of which consists of photovoltaic material sandwiched between two semi-conductive materials. When sunlight hits the panels, the semi-conductive materials energise, producing a direct current. This direct current is then passed through an inverter, where it is converted to alternating current, providing the same power as you draw from the national grid. This renewable / green electricity can then be used to power your domestic appliances. panels today can be up to 20% efficient in converting sunlight into electricity.

The latest advancement to this model is the introduction of domestic storage of solar electricity in a battery for later use within the home.

Smart Battery Technology

A battery works by storing electrical energy in the form of chemical energy, which can then be converted back into electricity. A battery consists of two terminals, (anode and cathode, separated by an electrolyte). Whilst the battery is charging, the electrons flow from the cathode to the anode, and whilst discharging they flow in the opposite direction. This causes a current, allowing you to use your solar energy when you need it, instead of when it’s generated.

This shift enables all the solar power a home generates to be stored and used (and any excess to be exported back to the grid), saving money on grid power particularly at peak energy times such as early morning and early evening, which have higher charges.

Battery storage is not just a chemical cell charging and discharging, but many such as Prime Hybrid Energy battery storage systems are smart battery systems. That means that the battery is part of a system monitoring your energy needs. It does this using historical usage and forecasting how much energy you need now, and in the near future to work out how much energy to store away.

The results for customers are significant in reducing a home’s dependency upon the national grid. Current smart solar and storage systems can result in a home being grid neutral for up to 8 months a year.

Like to learn how the system works then click the link to see how the smart system call myenergycloud actually works https://myenergycloud.com/home/inverter/SD1729P019/overview

Learn how to get your solar and battery storage system from Absolute Solar by contacting us now.

Going Green at Home Starts with Solar Panels

by Absolute SolarBattery Storage, Midlands Renewable Energy Installer, Renewable Energy, save the environment, solar and storage system, solar panel array + storage home system, apply now, Solar panel system upgrade, solar panels 28th June 201929th August 2024Comments are Disabled

Solar Panels

A decade or so ago Solar panels were THE home improvement to have. You just needed a south facing (ish) roof with limited shade and you could start to reap the benefits of free electricity from solar panel arrays all topped up by the Government’s Feed In Tariff (FIT) payment. Going green at home starts with solar panels but now includes looking at the whole home, not just adding solar panels.

With around 1,000,000 homes now fitted with solar panels across Britain, the sight of solar panels adorning south facing roofs becoming common. There is a vast range of choice over what type of solar panel to have (solar envy if your neighbour had black panels and you didn’t), the market is changing.

The model was simple and effective, the customer saves money, the government pays you to make it economical while the volume and familiarity of the technology becomes mainstream and as the price of electricity keeps going on up then people will offset those increases by investing in solar electricity.

Start with Solar Panels PV

A good solar panel array will provide people with around 25% to 30% of their electricity needs and the subsidy payments which brought the payback period down to under ten years , supplement the cost of the system. As the costs have fallen, a system now costs 75% less than early systems so the subsidy (FIT payments) have fallen until in April this year the FIT payments have ceased altogether.

Solar panel arrays (groups of solar panels working together as a system provide scalable electricity increasing as you increase the number of panels. For a small one-bed house a system of 1.5kW will provide you with the optimum system size to meet one person’s daily needs. For a typical family of four, a typical system will be a 4kW system. This is usually fit to a south facing roof and connected to an inverter (turns DC into AC) which feeds the generated electricity into the house, replacing your external supply of electricity as your primary supply. Your utility mains electricity supply becomes your secondary system, which comes into play when your panels are not producing enough energy.

Add Smart Battery Storage to Solar Panels

The technology has not stopped developing and nor has the need for it to do so. Electricity costs have kept increasing and with the advent of new home technologies, more computers and connected (IOT) technologies so homes have become more power hungry. Not to mention our obsession with having everything on standby ready to operate at a click of a switch, all of which adds to our electricity costs.

Add in the outdoor living space: barbecue, speaker systems and outdoor lighting and home demand for electricity is on the rise. Solar panels with battery storage, saves all the Solar Panel PV energy you generate and saves it until you need it, which is most often in early mornings and early evenings.

Make your Home Green with Solar Panels

Then there is the elephant in the room, your next (or next but one) car will be at least a hybrid, or a fully electric vehicle (EV). that’s going to need to be fully recharged overnight (no you can’t just do it at work and get them to pay). But it is going to take electricity to make it work and we need that electricity to come from renewable sources if we are going to be genuinely reducing our carbon footprint.

That all means that even if we do our bit to reduce our current consumption, (think LED lightbulbs, turning the TV off at the plug and not running the underfloor heating 24/7) then homes will need to use generated electricity far better.

The industry has developed new solutions in home renewable technologies, primarily around getting more out of your solar panels. By adding smart batteries to existing (retrofit) or putting in a solar and storage solution homes can become far less dependent upon their utility provider. This enables home owners to achieve grid neutrality for over half the year.

Solar Panel PV and Battery Storage

Solar and Storage saves your electricity to a battery which is monitoring your demand and ensures it saves as much electricity as you need to reduce your external demand for mains electricity. The smart monitoring systems actively manage your storage to maximise your own independent electricity usage.

Most homes do not use that much electricity during the day, their main usage is at night (retired people use more but even they still use more during the evening) and early next morning. Kettles, cookers, TV’s, lights etc all consume a lot of electricity, so storing your daytime over generation to use during the evening and next morning electricity demand, makes a huge impact on your costs.

Making your HOME Grid Neutral

A solar PV and battery storage system can make you grid neutral for over 8 months a year, that means that outside November, December, January and February you can be fairly sure that you will be grid neutral. Solar and storage solutions therefore take the 25% saving of solar panel systems up to closer to 70% saving for a typical home owner. Coupled with that is that you can still export excess electricity to get a payment (SEG payments) and that the cost of a solar and storage system is far less than a solar panel array 10 years ago results in a return of investment of around 7 years, which is what people achieved under the old FIT payments.

Learn more about renewable technology from Absolute Solar

When looking at energy savings to be made do look at solar and storage using smart battery technologies. Absolute Solar have partnered up with Prime Hybrid Energy Systems to offer their extensive range of solar and storage solutions for people looking at installing, or upgrading their home renewable energy.

**Going Green with Solar panels PV and battery storage** **for your home and car**

Start Going Green Contact Absolute Solar

Your renewable energy options have never been bigger or smarter. If you want to add value to your home, reduce your utility bills and do your bit for saving the planet, then call Absolute Solar on 0116 2313 980 or email us at info@absolutesolar.co.uk and we will explain your options further.

Contact Absolute Solar

Electronic Charge Point OLEV Grant, all you need to know.

by Absolute Solarcarbon neutral, Midlands Renewable Energy Installer, solar panel array + storage home system, apply now 5th March 201927th February 2023Comments are Disabled

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GETTING AN OLEV GRANT

WHAT IS OLEV?

The Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) is connected to both the UK Department of Transport and the UK Department of Trade, Energy, and Industrial Strategy. It exists to promote the adoption of low emission vehicles.

You can find out more about OLEV on the UK government’s website, click the link below..

OLEV WEBSITE

WHAT IS THE OLEV GRANT?

The OLEV Grant is to encourage car buyers to opt for an electric vehicle, OLEV offer a cash payment to help with startup costs. If you own or rent an electric vehicle, you could receive up to £500 towards the cost of buying and installing an electric charge point.

HOW DO I KNOW IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE?

The manufacturer, as well as the installer of your charge point, need to be authorized by OLEV for a successful application. Both Rolec and Absolute Solar are OLEV certified suppliers and installers of EV Charge points..

To qualify for the OLEV Grant you need to meet the following criteria:

You have off-street parking.
Your property is within the UK.
Your vehicle is eligible for the grant.
You are the registered keeper or primary user of the vehicle after 1 April 2015.
You can provide evidence that you own or lease an electric vehicle (even if you haven’t received the vehicle).

ELIGIBLE VEHICLES

HOW DO YOU APPLY FOR THE £500 GRANT?

The OLEV Grant is actually applied for on your behalf, Absolute Solar will handle the application for you.

To learn more about the application process, OLEV has created a guide at the link below.

Like to know more then give us a call on 0116 231 3980

Why GO Solar in 2019?

by Absolute Solargo green, Midlands Renewable Energy Installer, Prime Hybrid Energy Systems, Renewable Energy, solar panels 14th February 20191st June 2022Comments are Disabled

Go Solar in 2019, why install solar panels to your home, in 2019 with Absolute Solar
#solarpanels #environment #makeadifference #gosolar #gogreen #bigenergysaving — Go Solar in 2019, why to install solar panels to your home. in 2019

There are many reasons why homeowners go for home solar energy generation, but improving the environment and cutting energy costs are the two most common reasons people choose to change their primary energy source.

Even with Feed in Tariffs (FiTs) are coming to an end, the top-up source of income for solar panel owners in selling back un-used energy to utility suppliers, solar power has never been such a cost effective power source.

Solar power is a great home efficiency upgrade and for home owners wanting to reduce their carbon footprint and is seen as the most sensible investment to make in improving your property’s value.

Motivations for adopting renewable energy sources may vary from pure economic through to environmental, here’s our list of the drivers of change in people buying solar panel systems.

Solar Panels Lower in Cost

The cost of solar panels arrays have halved in the last few years as volume has increased, technology has improved and the industry has become more efficient. Ten years ago systems were between £12,000 and £15,000 to install, improved systems today cost between £6,000 to £8,000 (for a 4KWp system). With a 25 years lifespan for the panels the ability for a good return on investment has never been better.

Electricity savings.

Making direct savings to your electrical bills by replacing bought electricity with electricity your panels generate, reduces your electricity bills. The Energy Saving Trust estimates a typical 4kWp system can knock up to £220/yr off a typical family home’s bill.

Savings depend on system size, electricity use, whether you’re at home during the day to use the energy you’re producing and other factors. If you can use more energy during the day when the panels are generating, you’ll save even more as you’ll need less electricity from the grid.

Electricity costs are rising, install solar panels by Absolute Solar #Leicester, #Derby, #Nottingham, #Birmingham.

Insure against Rising Energy Costs.

Energy prices are one of the fastest rising costs everyone faces. In 2018a total of 57 price increases were announced, and despite a government cap, announced price rises for 2019 already show a 10% increase in energy costs from the main utility suppliers.

2019 Announced Energy Price Rises

Supplier	Old price	New price	Difference (£)	Difference (%)	Effective from
Ofgem price cap	£1,137	£1,254	£117	10.0%	April 2018
Eon	£1,229	£1,351	£122	10.0%	April 2018
EDF	£1,136	£1,254	£118	9.6%	April 2018
Npower	£1,136	£1,254	£118	9.6%	April 2018

By investing in solar power you are insulating yourself against these price rises by installing your own home generating power source.

Join The Green Revolution

While 10 years ago solar panels were a rarity, today they are the mainstream choice for home improvement. As we decarbonize our economy so solar panels, the primary source of home renewable energy become the standard feature people expect to see on homes.

Within the green revolution, the introduction of domestic solar power is now well underway, the next major shift is mass introduction of clean energy cars, vans and public transport systems to the market. For electric cars to be really green then you need to be generating your own green electricity to charge them, otherwise you are using carbon sourced electricity to power a green car. Going green starts with solar panels, a typical 4KW solar panel system replaces four tons of carbon emissions per year, the same as planting 100 trees annually.

Solar panels 20 years ago were about 6% efficient in transferring free solar energy into electricity, today they can be 21%. The majority of domestic solar panels are between 11% and 19% efficient. The best monocrystalline panel systems range between 15% to 19% and polycrystalline solar panels are less efficient (and lower cost) at between 11% and 15%.

With the introduction of improved efficiency there has also been improvements in all the associated technologies most notably in inverters. Coupled with these improvements so developers have developed integrated battery technology systems to generate and store electricity. Innovative brands such as Prime Hybrid Energy have created an highly advanced integrated energy generation and management system supported by smart software which manages your electricity generation and storage enabling a home to be grid neutral for up to 8 months a year.

Turn your roof into an energy plant. — Solar Panels turn your home into a money making asset.

Becoming Sustainable

Taking control of your energy sources and supply, enables home owners to manage all their energy needs. The development of integrated smart homes and highly energy efficient electrical appliances enables owners to take ownership of every aspect of their energy usage allowing them to control and adapt their energy consumption.

Controlling what you use based upon what you generate is growing in importance to many homeowners, achieving what is called grid neutrality and Absolute Solar has innovative new energy generation solutions enabling customers to become grid neutral using smart energy systems combining solar panels, with battery storage and cloud based energy management tools which support homes becoming grid neutral for most of the year.

Going green has never been so popular as customers now select smart AAA+ appliances which can be monitored, turned on and off and programmed to perform to meet people’s needs form their mobile phone or laptop. Being green is a powerful driver of consumer behaviour and one, which is increasingly important to customers decision making criteria.

If you are looking to install solar panel system then contact Absolute Solar to learn more, or see our website for further details www.absolutesolar.co.uk

Absolute Solar: award winning innovative solar installer
Installers of solar panel arrays throughout the Midlands.
Renewable energy system installer, #solarenergy,#solarpanels
Absolute Solar also installs energy saving technologies to save money and save the environment.
Like to learn more, then contact us on 0800 652 377 to learn more.