✔ Over 31,000 homes in Essex have a solar panel system
✔ You’ll break even on solar panels in 14.55 years
✔ A 3.5 kW solar panel system will cost £7,026 on average
Over a million UK homes already have solar panels installed, and their popularity is only set to rise as the cost of solar panels continues to decrease.
If you live in Essex and want to know whether solar panels are worth buying, this guide will give you everything you need to know. You might also be eligible for a government grant, like the ECO4 or Eco Flex scheme, to help with the cost.
You can start the process by filling in our easy-to-navigate form. Just enter a few simple details and we’ll put you in touch with our trusted installers. They’ll get back to you with bespoke solar panel quotes for you to compare.
Should you buy solar panels if you live in Essex?
Yes, solar panels are absolutely worth getting if you live in Essex, as long as you can afford them. You’ll generate your own clean electricity, save money on your energy bills, and reduce your carbon emissions.
The break-even point for solar panel owners in Essex is 11.7 years, which is also very attractive, as it’s even less than the UK’s average break-even point of 14.55 years.
That’s largely because Essex receives more sunlight than the UK average.
A 3.5 kW system will set you back £7,026 on average and you’ll make a tasty profit of £5,043 over the 25-year lifespan of your solar panel system.
You’ll typically save around £483 on your energy bills every year with this size solar panel system in a three-bedroom home.
This lifespan isn’t certain, either — it’s just an estimate.
You could find your solar panels keep generating clean energy for longer, helping you save even more money on your energy bills.
Solar panels also let you make money by sending your excess energy to the grid through the Smart Export Guarantee. How much you make will depend on which energy supplier you’re with.
You’ll typically get 12p per kilowatt hour (kWh), but you can receive 15p per kWh if you’re with Octopus Energy.
A three-bedroom house on an SEG rate of 12p per kWh will make around £160 per year, and on the 15p per kWh offered by Octopus, you’ll make roughly £199 each year.
You can get up to 24p per kWh if you’re with Octopus and own a Tesla Powerwall 2 storage battery, although you’ll spend around £9,000 on the battery.
How much sunlight does Essex receive?
Essex receives 1,883 hours of sunshine per year on average, which is considerably higher than the UK average of 1,403.
Owning a solar panel system in Essex means you’ll be generating more clean energy than you would in many other parts of the country.
Plus, with 69% of Brits saying they would rent or buy a property with solar panels, up from 65% last year, installing solar panels could increase your home’s value.
If you’re worried about the UK’s reputation for cloudy weather and wondering if solar panels actually work on cloudy days, don’t worry — they function excellently.
Where do you want to install solar panels?
Get startedHow much does it cost to install solar panels in Essex?
A 3.5 kW solar panel system costs £7,026 on average, including installation. The typical three-bedroom house will require a system of this size to provide enough electricity.
You should aim to get around three quotes for solar panel systems before settling on one, so you can make sure you get the best deal.
You’ll spend more on higher-quality panels, but their superior efficiency will allow you to generate even more electricity.
Are there any solar panel grants from Essex County Council?
Solar Together Essex is the only solar panel grant available in Essex.
This can be claimed by homeowners or tenants who receive permission from their landlord to apply.
You can get solar thermal systems through the Sustainable Warmth Scheme, but this technology only helps heat water, and doesn’t provide electricity.
The Sustainable Warmth Scheme also provides up to £10,000 towards other energy-saving technologies.
Want to see if there’s anything else on offer? Check out our Solar Panel Grants page for more information.
What is Solar Together Essex?
Solar Together Essex is a group-buying scheme for households and businesses looking to benefit from solar power, who don’t want to pay the full price of a solar panel system.
Essex residents have been able to apply for Solar Together since February 2021, and there have been 1,100 applications so far.
You can register for Solar Together Essex via its website, even though the scheme isn’t always running. It regularly restarts, so it’s definitely worth applying because you’ll be notified as soon as it begins again.
How does Solar Together Essex work?
You have to register on the Solar Together Essex website and fill in a few details, such as how much roof space you have and your roof’s orientation.
The scheme will then look for products and installers on your behalf, before starting a bidding process among these companies. They’ll take part in an auction for who gets to install your solar panel system, which ensures you get competitive prices.
You’ll receive a personal recommendation based on the details you filled in when you registered, which will include the costs and specifications of your solar panel installation.
How many homes have solar panels in Essex?
There are 31,268 Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)-accredited solar panel installations in Essex.
The total number will be even higher, because not every installation is certified by the MCS.
Summary
Solar panels are well worth getting if you live in Essex, because of the money you’ll save on your energy bills, the ability to generate your own clean electricity, and the reduction you’ll make to your carbon footprint.
It’s an even better prospect if you can get your solar panel system under the Solar Together Essex initiative, as you’ll save even more money.
If you want to buy your solar panel system outright, you can always fill in our simple form. Enter a few details and we’ll put you in touch with our trusted installers, who’ll get back to you with bespoke quotes for you to compare.
