Is solar worth it?
Ask our expert on solar energy.

How much does it cost to install solar panels? How much energy is generated by solar PV? How much could solar save me on my bills?

These are the kinds of questions that crop up every day from potential solar customers at InstaGroup, and I’m the one with all the answers.

Lately, one of the most frequent questions I hear is, “Is solar worth it?”

Of course I believe solar is more than worth it, as it can reduce electricity bills at home by enormous amounts. But before I make any promises, I recommend that the customer has an in-depth home energy survey to find out for themselves why installing solar is definitely a good idea.

What happens at a solar survey?

Before we carry out a survey we ask to see copies of your energy bills. This is so we can model your energy consumption and usage for a switch to solar. We try to complete these technical aspects before the survey, so we don’t take up too much of your time at home.

When we visit your property we’ll note the layout of the building and orientation of the roof. We will typically need to look in the loft, and view the part of the property where an inverter or energy storage battery could be housed. We will also need to see how the electrical supply enters in your home, so we can work out the best schematic plan for a solar install.

The solar survey normally takes around 30-45 minutes. During this time we’ll assess different factors that may affect the performance of solar panels at the property. This can include things like shading from trees or nearby buildings, and the direction and pitch of roof. We will always let you what we’ll be doing ahead of the survey, including where we might need access to the property.

There is a small charge for carrying out a solar survey, as there is quite a bit of work involved. However, if the project goes ahead this fee refunded when the installation is complete.

How much could solar generate for me? And how much could I save?

This is front of everyone’s mind when they start thinking about solar.

As mentioned above, by using digital tools and online mapping we can get an outline idea of a solar installation’s potential before we visit a property. But seeing the home in ‘real life’ gives us the extra details we need to design a system that will work to maximum effect.

Our focus will be on how we can supply the property with the largest amount of usable energy from solar.

We listen to our customers and create bespoke solutions

I talk to every customer one-to-one, both before and after the survey. Meeting the owner at their property is really important to me, as it gives me a chance to learn more about the way they live and their energy requirements. We can also cover the customer’s expectations from solar, and what they hope to achieve. This helps us to develop the right plan for the home.

With the survey information and the homeowner’s feedback, we can go back to the InstaGroup offices fully-equipped to create an efficient, tailored system, designed specifically for the customer and their home.

Is it worth adding solar batteries to an installation?

There are so many benefits to energy storage I will always suggest adding a battery, as it helps customers to get more out of their solar investment.

Including an energy storage battery to a solar install makes using solar power much more flexible. A battery can save the surplus kW the solar panels generate throughout the day for the homeowner to use at night, saving them even more money on energy bills.

But batteries aren’t just for storing solar power. You can set them to charge up from the grid too, at times the electricity rates drop to their lowest. The home can then switch to the cheaper saved energy to avoid peak cost times.

Our energy storage batteries are so efficient at managing energy costs we even recommend them without a solar installation. You can find out more about the benefits of energy storage batteries here.

So … how much does it cost to install solar?

At InstaGroup, every solar project is treated unique — there is no ‘one price fits all’ solution.

The cost of installing solar will always depend on the individual property. We look carefully at the home’s position and its floorplan, and put our experience and technical knowledge to work before we design and quote for a system. We always want to make sure solar is worth it for the customer.

Installation costs have come down considerably in the past 10 years or so, and we aim to give best value. We install high-quality, long-life products to ensure our systems will deliver maximum energy in the most efficient and cost-effective way over the years ahead.

Getting a quote for solar

We can usually put together a bespoke design and quote within a week of the solar survey. Our no-obligation quotes include a prediction of the system’s potential generation over the years to come, along with an estimate of the ‘payback period’. This shows how quickly the system could pay for itself in the savings you’ll make on using clean, free Solar energy.

If the customer decides to go ahead, we always provide consumer protection. We never ask for a deposit of more than 25%, and we offer a ‘cooling off’ period where the customer can change their mind, even after the initial deposit is paid.

Are there government grants for solar?

Some households may qualify for part-funding towards a solar installation. It’s worth asking at your survey if you can apply for any grants to help you switch to cleaner energy at home.

Is solar worth it? We give you the savings and payback times

One of the best things about working with InstaGroup is the honesty and transparency about savings and payback timescales. You may see other solar companies making big upfront claims, but we focus on showing you the real savings, based on your own actual energy use.

So we won’t ever over-promise – but we’ll always out-perform. In fact, many of our previous customers over the last 13 years have reported back to say they’ve achieved much bigger savings than we originally predicted. That’s been especially good to hear at a time of rising energy prices.

Technology is advancing – should I wait to install solar?

InstaGroup is at the forefront of solar technology, so customers who choose us can be sure of the latest solar PV panels, batteries and inverters. It’s reassuring to know that we only install high performing, durable products, including solar panels that last for up to 25 years.

We provide long guarantees and warranties with solar installations, so our customers are protected for years against the unlikely events of faults in the system.

The power to do something good

People often ask me, ‘What is it that sets InstaGroup apart from other solar companies?’ I’d say it’s our extensive experience, the attention to detail, and the pride in our work. Above all, we’re 100% focused on getting the best results for our customers – I think it’d be hard to find such a dedicated team anywhere else.

I’m proud to work at InstaGroup, as the company has been leading the way to improve energy efficiency across the UK for over 40 years. As a lifelong advocate for clean, renewable energy, it gives me a lot of job satisfaction to know I’m helping to reduce fossil fuel use and cut carbon emissions.

So, is solar worth it for your home? There’s only one way to find out — speak to me in person about booking a solar survey. You can email me directly, or call our friendly Customer Services team on 0118 932 8811. Alternatively you can contact us online.