Switching to solar is one of the smartest and quickest ways homeowners across the Essex, Kent, London and the wider south east can cut their energy bills. At SolarTherm UK, we’ve helped thousands of UK homeowners and businesses generate free electricity, cutting their bills by up to 70%.
In this guide, we’ll explain exactly how solar panels impact your electricity bills, how much you could save and how the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) can help earn you extra income.
Do Solar Panels Reduce Your Electricity Bills?
Yes – they really do, with immediate effect! By generating your own free electricity, you’ll need to import less electricity from the expensive National Grid. Your electricity supplier won’t break down how much of your power came from solar, but you’ll see your overall usage and your bills go down. Your solar inverter monitoring app can tell you how much solar you are generating, regular monitoring of this and your smart meter will help you calculate an estimate on what your electricity bill should be.
💡Quick fact: a typical three bedroom home with a 3.5kWp solar system can save around 70% on their annual electricity bills, cutting average costs to just £236 per year.
Can You Sell Excess Solar Energy Back to the Grid?
Most homes will generate more electricity during the day than what they can use. You have two choices for this excess electricity – store it in a solar battery or sell it back to the grid. The government back Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) allows you to sell your surplus energy back to the grid giving the average household an increase in savings of up to 16% with a SEG tariff. Most energy suppliers pay as much as 15p per kWh for exported electricity when you import electricity from them.
💡Top tip: if you have a solar battery installed, pair your solar PV with a cheap off-peak tariff to benefit from cheaper imported electricity to charge your battery while benefitting from a higher SEG rate for surplus energy throughout the day.
Do You Need to Tell Your Energy Supplier?
There is no need to tell your energy supplier you have installed solar panels unless you plan to benefit from SEG tariffs. You do not have to receive SEG payments from your supplier, you can use any supplier, but most suppliers offer higher SEG rates to existing customers.
💡Remember: your DNO (Distribution Network Operator) needs to be informed to register your system and to export energy. At SolarTherm UK, we handle all the paperwork and gain approval from your DNO.
Will Solar Panels Cover 100% of Your Electricity Bill?
Solar panels can dramatically cut your energy costs, but most homes will still need to import some grid electricity, especially in the evenings and overnight. Without a solar battery, homes typically use around 50% of generated power, whereas with a solar battery, that consumption goes up to around 80%, maximising your savings. While it’s possible with clever planning and system setup to cover nearly all of your power needs, the perfect system is one that balances generation, storage and grid usage, resulting in the best return on investment.
What’s the Average UK Bill with Solar Panels?
Without solar, the average annual bill for a three-bedroom home is around £1,000. With solar installed, this decreases to less than £300, saving around 70% on electricity bills. Most SolarTherm UK customers break even in 6-10 years and then enjoy free electricity for decades after.
Why Choose Solar Panels Now?
- Protect yourself from rising energy prices.
- Save thousands of pounds over the lifetime of your solar PV system (the average solar panel has a minimum lifespan of 30 years plus).
- Earn extra income from the Smart Export Guarantee.
- Reduce your carbon footprint with clean, renewable energy.
Ready to Start Your Solar Journey?
At SolarTherm UK we have over 15 years of experience saving homeowners money on their electricity bills. Our expert MCS-certified installers design and install bespoke systems custom made for your property, usage and future energy needs. Contact SolarTherm UK today for your free no obligation quote and design. No hard sell, just honest, expert advice. With our EPVS verified performance and returns estimates, we let the figures doing the talking.
Your home. Your energy. Your future.
