Is it worth buying solar panels in Essex?

Over 40,000 homes in Essex have a solar panel system installed.

You’ll normally break even on solar panels in about 10 years.

A 3.5kW solar panel system will cost about £7,000 on average.

Solar panels are becoming more affordable and more common in the UK, with over 1.3 million households already using them in the UK.

This guide will tell you all you need to know about solar panels if you are living in Essex and considering getting them.

Should you buy solar panels if you live in Essex?

Solar panels are a great investment for Essex residents who can afford them. They produce clean energy, lower your energy bills, and cut your carbon footprint.

Essex solar panel owners can break even in 13.47 years, which is faster than the UK average of 15.1 years.

This is because Essex gets more sunshine than most of the UK.

A 3.5 kW system costs about £7,000 and can earn you a profit of £6,000 over 25 years.

With this system, you can save about £583 every year on your energy bills in a three-bedroom house.

This is based on an estimated lifespan of 25 years, but your solar panels may last longer and save you more.

You can also earn money by selling your surplus energy to the National Grid through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme. The amount you earn depends on your energy supplier.

The average SEG rate is 12p per kWh, but Octopus Energy pays 15p per kWh.

A three-bedroom house with a 12p SEG rate can make about £179 per year, and with a 15p SEG rate, about £199 per year.

If you have a Tesla Powerwall 2 battery and Octopus Energy, you can get up to 24p per kWh, but the battery costs around £5,400.

How much sunlight does Essex receive?

With an average of 1,883 sunny hours per year, Essex is much brighter than the rest of the UK, which only gets 1,403 hours. This means that if you have a solar panel system in Essex, you can produce more green energy than in many other places.

Solar panels are also a good investment for your property. According to a recent survey, 69% of Brits would prefer to rent or buy a house with solar panels, which is a 4% increase from last year.

You might think that solar panels are not suitable for the UK’s cloudy climate, but that’s not true. Solar panels can still work well on overcast days.

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Essex?

The average price of a 3.5 kW solar panel system, including installation in Essex, is £7,000, here at NXTGEN Energy our 8 panels plus battery is only £6,750 for a complete Solar Panel Installation in Essex! This is the right size for a three-bedroom house to have enough power.

To find the best offer, you should compare at least three quotes for solar panel systems.

Higher-quality panels are more expensive, but they are also more efficient and can produce more electricity.

Are there any solar panel grants from Essex County Council?

Essex Energy Switch

The Essex Energy Switch is a scheme to help residents get a better deal on their gas and electricity. It is free to register and there is no obligation to switch.   

Register online or call 0800 048 8439 to register and receive correspondence by post. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5.30pm. You will need a recent energy bill to to sign up.

Get advice from Warm Homes Essex

You could get help from a specialist energy advisor if you are finding it hard to pay energy bills or have debts with energy suppliers. They might be able to help you get a grant to improve your home’s energy efficiency.

Visit Warm Homes Essex or contact the Citizens Advice Warm Homes team on 0300 3033 789.

Making energy efficient improvements if your household income is below £30,000

Essex homeowners with a household income below £30,000 may be eligible for £10,000 funding through the Sustainable Warmth Scheme. The funding is for making energy-efficient improvements to your home. It was previously called the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme.

Save more money on your energy bill

Visit the NXTGEN Energy Blog to find out how you can save even more money on your energy bills.

Oil central heating systems

Even if you’re not connected to the mains gas supply, you can still save money on heating oil by joining the Rural Community Council of Essex (RCCE) community oil buying scheme.

How many homes have solar panels in Essex?

Essex has over 40,000 solar panel installations with MCS accreditation, but the actual number is more as some are not MCS-certified.

Conclusion

Living in Essex, you should get solar panels for saving money on your energy bills, producing your own green power, and cutting down your carbon emissions.

Feeling ready to invest in Solar Panels in Essex? Want to learn more? Your best option is to talk to one of our friendly solar energy experts on 01268 928 690 or click on the button below and we will help you find the right fit for your home and budget. Remember we are both an MCS Certified PV (Panels) Installer and an MCS Certified Battery Storage Installer. MCS Certification is a mark of quality. Our membership of MCS demonstrates our strict adherence to these recognised industry standards; highlighting quality, competency and compliance.