Energy bills have remained stubbornly high in the years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted global gas markets, pushing up the price of electricity for millions of UK households.
Yet even as bills rose, the cost of solar panels continued to fall, creating a chance for homeowners to generate their own clean power, reduce reliance on the grid, and even earn money from any excess electricity they export.
For many, the sticking point is working out whether they have the budget, roof space or orientation for a system, and ultimately whether solar panels are worth it for their property. But the potential returns can be significant. A typical south-facing roof could produce around £1,370 of solar electricity a year, with roughly £624 of that available to sell back to the grid once you’ve covered your own usage.
Modern Eco-Friendly Home with Solar Panels (Image: D. Goug/Pexels)
We should note, however, that these example earnings are based on ideal conditions: a south-facing roof, little shading, and a system that matches the home’s electricity needs. They also assume a relatively high-paying Smart Export Guarantee tariff. SEG rates range from roughly 4p to more than 15p per kWh, depending on the supplier, so the amount you earn from exports can vary significantly. Homes with different orientations or lower export tariffs may see smaller returns than the headline figures.
Read more: The Independent
