Summary of this article: Solar panels can be installed as part of a home renovation scheme, providing you consider how best to make use of the angle and orientation of your roof, understand how and when you use energy, consider any additional smart technology additions or modern heating systems, and use the smart finance plans offered by E.ON Next to pay for them.
If home efficiency forms part of your renovation project, it’s likely you’ve considered if solar panels should form part of your plans. In general, the answer is yes. Installing solar panels will allow you to generate your own electricity, give you energy independence, and increase your home’s eco credentials.
When investing in any type of renewable energy, however, it’s always important to ensure your home is suitable, which is why using an established and well-known company such as E.ON Next to install them is a must.
With a wealth of solar panel knowledge and expert advice on hand from MCS-certified designers and installers, here’s what E.ON Next’s experts recommend you take into account when including solar panels as part of your home renovation plans.
Will your roof be suitable for solar panels?
According to the experts at E.ON Next, there are two main considerations when assessing your roof’s suitability for solar panels.
- What is the pitch of your roof?
Your roof needs to be between 20° and 50° for your solar panels to be correctly positioned and installed safely. This isn’t usually a problem in most properties, but will need to be taken into account when considering solar panels for a home renovation.
- What is the orientation of your roof?
While E.ON Next solar panels don’t need full sunlight to generate electricity, a south-, east- or west-facing roof will generate the most power for your home. Solar panels on north-facing roofs won’t be as efficient but can still add valuable additional production if you really want to max out your generation capability.
Don’t forget you’ll also need to take into account if there is any shading from neighbouring buildings or overhanging trees. It shouldn’t prevent you from having solar panels, but the more exposure your panels have to daylight, the more power you have the potential to generate.
How much electricity does your home need, and when will you use it most?
Understanding your home’s power consumption, and when you need to use it most is an important step when considering solar panels as part of your renovation plans. As well as E.ON Next using the information in order to calculate how many solar panels you will need, it will also help determine if including a solar battery as part of your solar package will be beneficial.
As an example, homes that use more power during the evening as the inhabitants are out during the day, will certainly benefit from being able to access the power that a solar battery can collect and store during daylight hours. It means more energy generated is returned straight back to the home, as opposed to going to waste.
Will your renovation include additional smart technology features?
If integrating solar panels into your renovation scheme forms part of a larger energy independence plan, you’ll need to include this information when speaking to the E.ON Next team.
Perhaps you’re considering installing an E.ON Next heat pump at the same time as your solar panels, or will be adding an EV charger to your home as you make the switch from fuel to electric transport.
The good news is, all of these elements can be complemented by the addition of solar panels. The main key to making a successful and seamless switch to solar? Early, upfront planning to make sure your home renovation energy independence package is cohesive and performs to the best of its ability.
Does your renovation budget include solar panel costs?
With multiple different payment plans available for E.ON Next solar panels, it could be easier than you think to include them in your home renovation budget. With options to pay nothing upfront and spread the cost over 36 months, or to pay for your solar panels in three staged instalments, there’s a method of payment to suit most homes and budgets.
And don’t forget, with E.ON Next’s Smart Export Guarantee, your investment could even help pay off your renovation costs. You can receive up to 17.5p/kWh for every excess unit you don’t use that’s sold back to the grid. Overall, you could also save up to £500 a year on your energy bills according to the Government’s solar plans, ensuring your investment reaps rewards way beyond the day you complete your home renovation.
On a final note, while the cost savings and freedom gained taking a large step towards energy independence is invaluable, including solar panels in your home renovation plans also means you are taking a step towards an environmentally friendly future.
The Energy Saving Trust notes how installing solar panels could save around one tonne of carbon each year – the equivalent of driving from London to Bristol 30 times. So why wait any longer? Enquire about including solar panels in your home renovation today.
