How Solar Panels Make the Biggest Impact
As the New Year begins, many households across the South East are setting resolutions that focus on sustainability, lower energy bills and reducing their carbon footprint. Climate action does not require radical lifestyle changes, in fact, the most effective environmental improvements often come from practical, repeatable choices made at home. These, often small changes, can lead to long term savings and a cleaner, healthier environment.
At SolarTherm UK, we believe the New Year is the ideal time to focus on changes that deliver long term benefits. Below are six realistic green New Year resolutions for 2026.
Reduce Single Use Plastics
Cutting back on plastic remains an important environmental goal. Simple changes such as avoiding disposable wipes, buying loose fruit and vegetables and bringing packed lunches all reduce waste and emissions. These small actions matter, reducing your carbon footprint and saving you money in the long run.
Buy Less, Buy Better
Choosing longer lasting products, second hand clothing or energy efficient appliances can not only reduce energy waste and products going to landfill, they can also reduce your energy bills. While buying more energy efficient appliances cost more upfront, they save you more on your energy bills in the long term.
Leave the Car at Home Where Possible
Walking, cycling and public transport all help cut carbon emissions. For households that need the freedom of a personal vehicle, switching to an EV (electric vehicle) and combining it with solar panels, can allow you to travel using clean, self-generated electricity, dramatically reducing your carbon emissions and cost per mile.
Get Involved Locally
Supporting local climate action groups is a great way to stay engaged with sustainability efforts in your community. Many South East councils are actively encouraging renewable energy adoption, making it an excellent time to explore solar solutions for your home.
Grow What You Can
From herbs on your windowsill to a small vegetable garden or allotment, growing your own food reduces food miles and packaging waste. Solar powered homes can benefit even further by running lighting, irrigation and small appliances with renewable energy.
Make Your Home Greener with Solar Panels and a Solar Battery
This is where households can make the most meaningful impact and save the most money in 2026. With the cost of solar dramatically decreasing and the cost of electricity rising and remaining volatile, upgrading your home with solar panels and battery storage can save you hundreds of pounds a year, while reducing your carbon footprint by up to one tonne a year.
Homeowners across the South East are in a favourable position, with some of the highest sunlight levels in the UK, resulting in higher electricity generation. By adding solar battery storage, you can increase your savings by storing surplus electricity for use when you need it most, further reducing your reliance on fossil fuel generated electricity.
Start the New Year Strong
If your New Year resolution is to make a genuine, long lasting environmental difference, investing in solar panels and solar battery storage is one of the most effective steps you can take. It is a practical upgrade that delivers measurable benefits for your home, your finances and the planet.
Contact SolarTherm UK today for a free, no obligation quote and design, tailored to your property, usage and future energy needs. No hard sell, just honest, expert advice. Start 2026 with a smart, green investment that’s good for your pocket and the environment for the next 30 years or more!
Your home. Your energy. Your future.
