Solar panel grants and funding schemes can make renewable energy far more affordable. From government programmes to local initiatives, discover how to lower your installation costs The cost of solar panels has fallen in recent years, but installation still represents a major investment. If you’re comparing upfront costs with long-term savings, our guide on
Solar and wind outpaced demand growth in the first half of 2025, as renewables overtook coal’s share in the global electricity mix. The increase in solar and wind power outpaced global electricity demand growth in the first half of 2025. Solar alone met 83% of the rise, with many countries setting new records. Fossil
The war in Ukraine may be adding resilience to the list of clean energy's virtues As I write this, the Orsknefteorgsintez refinery in Orsk, Russia is ablaze. It sits 1,400 kilometers from the border with Ukraine—in fact, along the border with Kazakhstan. The refinery has a capacity of 6.6 million tons of oil yearly,
"It's not to save you money. It's more of a comfort/safety type of purchase." Power outages are stressful for anyone, but they can be a nightmare for remote workers. The scoop A post in the Tesla Motors Club forum shows how backup batteries like Tesla's Powerwall can keep laptops, lights, and even Wi-Fi humming
We would like to get solar panels installed at our home but we are not sure whether getting a battery system as well is a good idea. We are a family of four living in a four-bed home, with a south west facing roof, and are out for most of the day at work
When Malcolm Douglas-Kellie and his wife Jackie first considered whether solar panels are worth it, they were put off by the cost of solar. One firm in 2019 quoted them £24,000 for a large array of panels and a battery. Energy prices were lower back then, so they shelved the project. But now their
The UK, Ireland, and Australia may share a language, but they have very different solar and storage markets. In this article, we explore equipment characteristics and compare system sizes, which reveals some primary drivers of key differences between the nations. System sizes Understanding the popularity of system sizes is essential for equipment manufacturers to
We’re beyond Mel Gibson’s Mad Max era. We no longer need oil to make it through the apocalypse As I write these words, the No 1 trending story on the Guardian is titled: “The history and future of societal collapse”. It is an account of a study by a Cambridge expert who works at
Almost 10,000 households across the UK paid nothing for their electricity use last year, thanks to using both solar panels and battery storage. Not only did thousands of families dramatically reduce their energy bills, but by using these energy-efficient measures, they were also able to help the planet and, in some cases, even make
An Octopus Energy customer has revealed how he slashed nearly £300 monthly from his energy bills. With energy bills due to rise again in October, one man has explained how he nearly cut £300 from his monthly costs. Aaron Wilkes from Sittingbourne said he now pays £180 a month for energy, down from over