One of the primary reasons people transition to solar energy is to take advantage of financial savings. You can save upwards of 75% of your current electric bill over a 25 year period and upward of 50% monthly. But everyone’s solar system and electrical usage habits are slightly different. Below, we review a few case studies* to give you a sense of what kind of return on investment you can expect from your solar system. If you have any questions about the particulars of your home, reach out to one of our solar advisors.
Before we break down some customer success stories, here are some terms you should be familiar with.
Solar Vocabulary
Battery energy storage: Simply put, battery storage allows you to save unused or additional electricity from your panels and store it for later consumption.
kW (kilowatt): A kilowatt, simply understood, is a unit of measurement for electricity. Technically, a kilowatt is equal to 1000 watts.
kWh (kilowatt hour): the amount of energy (in kilowatts) used or produced in one hour
PV (photovoltaic): PV panels convert sunlight into electricity
Inverter: An inverter converts the electricity generated by your panels into electricity that can easily be used in your home. Technically speaking, an inverter converts direct current (DC) power from a panel to alternating current (AC) electricity. In order for solar generated electricity to be easily accessible in a home, it must be converted from DC to AC power.
To learn more about these terms, or if you would like more information on how solar energy works, get in touch with our team of solar experts.
*DISCLAIMER: Case studies included here are fictional examples based on average figures.
The Simon Family: Saving Over £200 Monthly
Wanting to improve their environmental footprint and reduce their electrical bill, the Simon family reached out to MaxizSolar to find out if solar would be right for them. After reviewing electrical consumption habits and solar goals, MaxizSolar and the Dankworth family decided on an 18.6kwP solar system for their home. Due to the particular features of the home’s roof and the local climate, and the variability of the local climate, high efficiency panels were proposed as the best move for the Simon family. MaxisSolar consultants recommended installing 62 high efficiency Suniva panels in order to produce 1985kWh a month. Month to month, The Simon family is seeing £200-250 reductions in their electrical bills.
Savings: £200-250 per month
Cost: £20,000
The Simon family spent £20,000 pounds on their solar system. This price reflects solar components, labor, and some minor roof repairs. If the Simon family is saving between £200 and £250 a month, in 80 months their investment will have paid for itself. And with energy prices consistently rising, the Simon family is looking at saving even more.
Asked about the solar installation process Mr. Simon said, “It was a relatively easy process for me. We fixed some minor roof damage and then installed the panels in a matter of weeks. I’m really happy with the way it all turned out. Thank you to the MaxizSolar team for your attention to detail and willingness to answer all of my questions.”
Bailey Family: Eliminating Electric Bills
The Baileys are a large family with a high electric bill. Before going solar, they were spending an average of £400 a month on electricity. Wanting to reduce their bill, they reached out to MaxizSolar in March of 2021. After consulting with our experts, the Baileys decided that a 11.51 kw system consisting of 34 panels would best serve the Baileys’ goal of fully eradicating their electrical bill. Within 6 weeks of reaching out to us, the Baileys had eliminated their electric bill.
Mr. Bailey was clear from the beginning: “My goal from the start was to fully eradicate my electric bill. But I also wanted to ensure that the panels would not interfere with the aesthetics of our home. I learned about black on black panels that fit perfectly with our black roof. The team at MaxizSolar not only helped me figure out the best system in terms of electrical production and efficiency, but also aesthetics.”
System cost: £30,000
Monthly Electric Bill: £0
Burton Family
The Burton family is passionate about the environment and in April of 2021 reached out to MaxizSolar to discuss installing a PV system on their second home near New Forest National Park. Mr. Burton and a team of MaxizSolar consultants discussed electrical habits, house features, and solar goals before deciding on the best PV set up. Because the Burton family does not live at this home year round, they opted for a small yet efficient system with battery storage. For their 1200 square home it was determined that a 6 kw system would be adequate. Within two weeks plans had been drawn. Within 4 weeks minor roof repairs had taken place and the solar system was fully installed.
The Burtons are seeing an average of a £100 reduction in their electric bill. Their system costs £9,000 – this price reflects solar components, labor, and minor roof repairs. The Burtons are looking forward to reducing their energy bill while helping the environment. When asked about his experience Mr. Burton Said, “ I’m very excited about going solar. This is our second home and I want it to be as green as possible. It was easy working with the consultants and installers and I couldn’t be more pleased with how it turned out.”
System cost: £9,000
Monthly Savings: £100
Save by Going Solar
As you can see, solar savings and system costs vary widely depending on factors like home size, roof direction, monthly consumption habits, system components, and many others. However, one thing remains the same and that is savings. After speaking with our experts and finding the best solution for you, you are guaranteed to save money and generate a return on your investment. Reach out to one of our solar advisors to find out how much you can save by going solar today.
Why You Should Go Solar: Everything You Need To Know
Every year, more and more households make the switch to solar energy. Many homeowners choose to go solar in order to benefit from financial savings and a reduced environmental footprint. Here’s everything you need to know about going solar.
What is solar energy?
Energy from the sun is the most abundant energy resource on earth. The amount of energy the sun blasts at earth in one hour is more than the amount the world consumes in a year. Solar panels allow homeowners to capture the sun’s energy to power their homes, heat their pools, and help the environment.
How does solar energy work?
For homeowners, there are two ways to capture energy from the sun: Photovoltaic (PV) panels and solar thermal panels. Below is a rundown of how these systems work.
PV panels convert energy from the sun into electricity.
- Solar cells inside of your panels absorb energy from sunlight.
- Circuits collect the energy and convert it into DC (direct current) energy.
- To make the energy suitable for home use, an inverter converts it into AC (alternating current).
- Optionally, unused or excess electricity can then be stored in a battery for future use or sold back to the grid.
Solar thermal technology converts energy from the sun into heat.
- Solar thermal panels concentrate light from the sun to create heat.
- This heat can then be used to heat pools, showers, and homes.
You can talk with one of our solar experts to find out which type of solar is best for you.
Solar Batteries
Solar batteries or home batteries store excess power for future use. Solar batteries allow homeowners to power their homes using solar generated electricity when it is dark, cloudy, or during power outages.
For more information about solar batteries, speak to one of our solar experts.
What are the pros and cons of going solar?
Pros:
- The sun is a sustainable resource
The sun will continuously provide the earth with energy until it explodes in billions of years. This means that if you go solar, you will always have a source of power.
- Long operating life
Solar panels have an operating life of 25-30 years.
- Electric grid back up
Power grids can fail for many reasons, oftentimes unexpectedly. Homes with solar and a battery are protected from blackouts and brownouts.
- Reduces electricity bill
Solar power reduces the amount of power you consume from the grid. This means that your electric bill will be reduced or even eliminated.
- Sell excess power to the grid
Unused power can be sold back to the grid, increasing your return on investment.
- Clean
Solar energy provides a clean and sustainable way to power one’s home. By using solar, you avoid purchasing carbon-emitting electricity. And by selling solar back to the grid, you are reducing the grid’s overall carbon footprint.
Cons:
- Alters roof appearance
Solar panels are often placed on top of a home’s roof. This means that some panels may be visible.
- Requires some maintenance
While there isn’t much maintenance required for solar panels, there is some. In order to ensure maximum efficiency, solar panels should be cleaned at least once a year. In areas with frequent snowfall, snow should be cleared from panels after a storm.
Is my house suitable for solar panels?
Almost any house can take advantage of solar. Here are some factors that will affect the cost of installation and the efficiency of your system.
- Roof age and condition
Since solar panels last anywhere from 25-30 years, it is important that your roof last at least this long. If your roof is heading towards the end of its life or if it requires repairs, you will want to consider replacing or fixing it before your solar installation. Once installed, solar panels will increase the life of your roof.
- Roof material and layout
Large roofs free of obstacles like vents, chimneys, or windows are best suited for solar panels. However, even if your home has limited roof space available, a smaller number of high-efficiency panels can produce adequate electricity.
- Sunlight exposure
It is important that your roof receives adequate sunlight in order for your panels to operate efficiently. If you have trees shading your roof, it may be worth removing them.
- Roof angle
The optimal tilt for solar panels is between 30 and 45 degrees. Many roofs fall within this range, but those that don’t may require special installation techniques.
- Roof direction
In the Northern Hemisphere, south-facing roofs receive the most exposure to sunlight. Homes with south-facing panels will experience maximum efficiency. However, east and west-facing panels often produce enough energy that a solar investment still makes sense.
If you are wondering if your home would be a good fit for solar, reach out to one of our experts.
How does solar help me save money?
Financial savings is one of the major benefits of going solar. Here are some ways solar will save you money:
- Going solar reduces and sometimes even eliminates your electric bills
Every home has different consumption habits and solar setups. While it is hard to give a generic amount, we can tell you that solar will absolutely reduce your energy bill or even eliminate it. The more electricity you consume in a month, the more you will save by going solar. Even if you consume a small amount of electricity, you will still save by going solar. Get in touch with Maxizsolar to discuss what savings might look like for you and your home.
- Going solar offsets future rises in energy cost
Energy costs are rising. Investing in solar energy gives you some or total independence from the grid. This means that with solar you pay less for electricity than you would otherwise.
- Going solar increases your property value
Solar systems increase home value across the board.
Return on Investment (ROI)
Overall homeowners who decide to go solar wind up with a great return on investment. Going solar decreases or even eliminates electricity bills, offsets rises in energy prices, and increases the value of your home.
If you would like to learn more about solar for your home, reach out to one of our solar experts.
