Solar panels and retrofit

You can cut your electricity bills, reduce your carbon footprint and receive payments for extra green energy you generate by installing solar panels.

Solar panels capture the sun's energy and convert it into electricity that you can use in your home. They don’t need direct sunlight to work and can work on cloudy days, although the stronger the sunshine, the more electricity generated.

An unshaded, South facing roof is ideal for maximum electrical output. East or West facing roofs could still be considered, but North facing roofs are not recommended.

It’s really important to do your research and shop around to get a few quotes. Make sure you know what’s included in the price and any ongoing costs such as maintenance and running costs. You may be eligible for funding to help cover the costs, check the government website for details of current schemes.

You can find out more about solar panels from the Energy Saving Trust and Your Home Better websites.

If you want to go a step further, you can look into refurbishing your home to reduce energy use – this is called a retrofit. It brings many benefits including making your home feel more comfortable, be a healthier place to live and you could even get a few other improvements done while you've got the builders in.

Read more about retrofitting your home on the Your Home Better website.