As a homeowner in Market Harborough, you might be curious about the potential of solar energy to power your home. With the rising cost of traditional electricity and the growing emphasis on sustainability, solar panels are becoming an increasingly attractive option.
With the UK’s reputation for cloudy weather, however, you might be wondering: Does Market Harborough receive enough sunshine to make solar panels a worthwhile investment? In this article, we will discover the average sunshine hours in our town and analyse whether solar energy can be a viable and beneficial choice for your home.
Why should you consider solar power?
Whether you’re an environmentally conscious homeowner or not, solar energy has a wide range of benefits when used to power your home. Here are some of the main reasons to consider switching to solar.
Potential Savings on Energy Bills:
Studies show that UK households can save hundreds of pounds annually on their electricity bills by installing solar panels, with potential savings of between £440 and £1,000 per year.
In addition, you can even earn money by selling any excess energy you produce back to the grid, which can earn you up to £85 a year. This is best achieved by using a solar battery to store your extra energy.
Visit GreenMatch to read more about the cost of solar battery storage in the UK.
These savings can significantly offset the initial investment cost, which can be anywhere from £7,000 to £13,000 depending on the size of the system you need.
Government Incentives:
The UK government offers support through various grants and schemes to help fund specific upgrades to homes in the area. There are certain criteria and applications do often have deadlines, but it’s worth exploring to see if you qualify for funding support.
For example, the ECO4 program (Energy Company Obligation), provides funding to ensure large energy suppliers help homeowners make energy-efficiency improvements to their homes. This is aimed at lower-income households but can help make solar panel installation more widely accessible.
The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2) is another incentive, offering energy efficiency upgrades including solar panels. It is aimed at low-income households who are not connected to the gas grid. This is a great opportunity for those who fit the criteria, with grants available until March 2025.
Long-Term Investment:
Solar panels have a lifespan of 25-30 years, making them a worthwhile long-term investment that can increase property value. Installing solar panels allows homeowners to generate their own clean, renewable electricity, reducing reliance on the grid and moving towards greener living.
Solar panels offer homeowners the opportunity to live more sustainably, save money on energy bills and have security against fluctuating energy prices. So, is Market Harborough a suitable place to reap the benefits of solar?
Sunshine Hours in Market Harborough
On average, Market Harborough receives 4.1 sun hours per day, which is higher than some other parts of the UK like Scotland (3.7 sun hours) and Northern Ireland (3.2 sun hours). During our research, we found that generally, solar panels need at least 4 hours of sunlight to produce the energy required to power a home – great news for us then!
We also discovered that June tends to be our sunniest month, with up to 189 hours of sunshine. This means that during summer months it’s possible to produce, and store, more solar energy from solar panels for use on cloudier days (which can feel all too frequent).
Even on grey days, sunlight will still reach solar panels and produce electricity. It is not always necessary to have high temperatures or direct sunlight for modern solar panels to absorb sun rays (thanks to some great advances in technology!).
One consideration, however, is that the angle of your roof will impact the success rate of your panels. The optimal angle is between 30-50 degrees, as this gives you the most efficient performance.
Overall, our search indicates that Market Harborough receives a good amount of sunshine throughout the year, making it a suitable location for installing solar panels on homes and businesses. To understand whether your home is well suited to solar panels it’s recommended that you seek free advice from local solar installers.
A Brighter Future for Market Harborough
While the UK might not boast the sunniest skies year-round, Market Harborough receives a sufficient amount of sunshine to make solar panels a viable and beneficial choice for homeowners.
With advancements in solar technology, even moderate sunshine hours can be effectively converted into clean, renewable energy. By embracing solar energy, you can enjoy significant cost savings on your electricity bills, gain greater energy independence, and contribute to a more sustainable future for your community and the planet.
While initial installation costs are considerable, the long-term financial benefits, environmental advantages, and potential increase in property value make solar panels a worthwhile investment. So, if you’re exploring the possibilities of solar energy it could be a very wise decision, not only for your wallet but also for the planet.
Author: Harbs
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