Last year, domestic solar energy in the United Kingdom has seen tremendous growth and 2023 is shaping up to be a similarly big year. Not only do solar panels help shrink carbon emissions and reduce our reliance on the grid but they can also help you save money on our electricity bills.

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How Do Solar Panels Work?

Solar panels work by converting sunlight into electricity. The panels consist of photovoltaic cells that absorb sunlight and transform it into direct current electricity. Then, an inverter converts this electricity into the alternating current electricity you can use in your home or feed back into the grid. To use solar power, you need to install solar panels on your roof, in your garden or somewhere on your grounds where they are angled towards the sun.

Despite being around for years, the growth of solar panels has been slow. With the reasonable prices for home energy batteries and an overall increase in electricity prices resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the sector is now experiencing a revival. In 2022, solar panel installations in the UK doubled to reach the highest levels since 2015. More than 1.2 million UK households have them on their roofs – the equivalent of 4.5% of houses.

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?

On average, installing solar panels will set you back between £5,000 and £10,000 (approximately between US$6,330 and $12,700), with a cost of about £786 (US$995) per 350W panel. Depending on the size and occupancy of your house, prices might also be a bit higher. For a three-bedroom house, you can expect an average solar system price of £7,860 (US$9,950).

Variables such as the roof size, the location of your house, and the type of hardware all influence the costs of panels. The reason why so many people are choosing to invest in the technology now is that solar panels will provide most of the energy you need at home. With the excess power exported to the grid, it is even possible to make money through the Smart Export Guarantee. This scheme has replaced the feed-in tariffs that were in place before. In addition, solar panels will cut your home’s carbon footprint and improve its energy performance (EPC) rating, increasing the value of the property.

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How Much Can You Save With Solar Panels?

Homeowners can reduce their energy bills by up to 62% with solar panels. This means that renewable energy is a great purchase for cutting costs while also reducing carbon emissions. Despite the relatively high up-front costs, your investment will break even in a short time span of around 8 to 9 years. Once you hit that break-even point, you will start to see profits from having panels but even before then you will notice a reduction of well over half in your energy bill.

The amount of money you can save on your electricity bills with solar panels depends on several factors, such as the size of the system, the amount of sunlight your property receives, and the cost of grid electricity. On average, homeowners with solar panels can save around £450 a year in electricity bills. And if you export excess electricity back to the grid, you could make another £600 to £700 (US$760-$886) a year. According to The Guardian, smart power use, such as running the washing machine in peak sunshine and using discounted off-peak electricity, could reduce most household’s electricity bills from an average of £1,200 (US$1,519) a year to only £200-£400 (US$253-$506).

According to The Eco Experts’ latest National Home Energy Survey, over two-thirds of Brits said that they would like to buy a property with solar panels. The idea of generating your own electricity is particularly attractive in current times, where we all face challenges such as rising energy prices (the next increase is expected in July 2023) and uncertainty about the reliability of the grid.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Panels

When looking at the potential savings that solar panels offer, it is hard to think of any reasons against them. The renewable energy technology also brings benefits such as reduced carbon footprint, meaning everyone can contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change. With solar panels, we reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, which are a finite resource and contribute to climate change. The panels also bring increased energy security and less dependence on the grid.

However, it is important to also be aware of the drawbacks of solar panels:

• Upfront costs: The installation of panels can be expensive. It will take several years to recoup the initial investment through electricity bill savings and earnings through the Smart Export Guarantee.
• Space requirements: Solar panels require a significant amount of space, ideally on a south-facing, unshaded roof. This might not be practical for all properties.
• Weather dependency: Solar power relies heavily on sunlight to generate electricity. In areas with less sunlight and in winter, the panels are less effective.
• Maintenance: Solar panels require regular maintenance to ensure that they are working efficiently and safely. Annual servicing is recommended.

Are Solar Panels Worth It?

Solar panels are one of the best ways to reduce your electricity bills and do something good for the environment. While there are some drawbacks, such as the upfront costs and weather dependency, the financial and environmental benefits as well as the increase of a property value convince many homeowners to give solar power a try. It is always important to do your own research.

When wondering whether panels are worth it, the rule of thumb is that if you generate enough electricity and stay in the same house long enough, the investment will pay off. Consider your home’s electricity needs, the necessary size of the solar power system and any financial incentive schemes, regionally or nationally, before you make the decision. No matter the situation, solar energy in the UK is worth it for monetary benefits, for protecting the environment, and for reducing your carbon footprint. 

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Britain has ambitious plans to scale up affordable, clean, and homegrown power. By 2050, the government wants to achieve net zero, which means a clean energy revolution is required. How can electric vehicle charging contribute to driving this transition?

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Unleashing the Full Potential of Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles (EVs) are quickly becoming a viable alternative to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, thus driving a revolution in clean energy. For EVs to fully realise their potential, a reliable and convenient charging infrastructure with smart charging options and renewable energy sources is key.

In March 2023, the UK government announced it would invest more than £380 million (US$475 million) into boosting EV charging points and infrastructure across the country to support the rollout of electric vehicles. 

Electric vehicles currently comprise 2.5% of all licensed road vehicles in the UK. This number from September 2022 has risen by 1.6% compared to the year before, meaning that the market is growing, despite being still in the early stage. In late 2022, 14% of new car registrations were battery-powered vehicles and 5% were plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

How else can electric vehicle charging drive the clean energy revolution in 2023? We explore five key ways below.

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5 Ways Electric Vehicle Charging Is Driving the Clean Energy Revolution in 2023

1. Increasing EV adoption through accessible, equitable charging points

For EVs to be accepted on a larger scale, reliable and easily accessible charging infrastructure is crucial. There are 37,055 public EV charging stations in the UK, many of which are located in London. To provide convenient, reliable, and equitable access, charging stations should be strategically located. This includes locations around motorways, near shopping centres, at office buildings, within town centres, and close to public parks.

In addition, both public and private charging points should be doing quick work. Already, modern electric vehicle chargers are able to charge your car overnight and they can be installed in private garages. However, planning for EV charging infrastructure must also be appealing, meaning simple processes and equitable access for those in different housing situations. By locating charging points at multi-occupation housing, renters can be incentivised to drive electric vehicles.

2. Reducing CO2 emissions by providing appealing charging amenities

Electric vehicle charging can help reduce CO2 emissions since these vehicles emit no pollutants when they are driven. 

In order to leverage the use of EVs for clean energy revolutions, the experience at charging stations also plays a role. Charging an electric vehicle still takes much longer than going to a gas station. Making the experience more appealing could involve placing the charging points close to mixed-use developments which include dining, shopping, and entertainment venues as well as other driver amenities.

Mobility and transit hubs where people can connect with other transportation modes, including public transport, are also important. They provide a good opportunity for EV car-shares that can be dropped at the station, where they charge for the next driver, while the former driver hops onto public transport, bikes, or other clean energy modes of transportation. This pushes multimodal clean transport and ecotourism to be a pillar of the clean energy transformation.

3. Building resilient infrastructure and smart grids for electric vehicle charging

According to BloombergNEF, by 2040, electric vehicles will represent more than 60% of all new car sales worldwide. This fleet conversion will impact and change electric grid networks, transport planning, and urban development. To support this transition, we need adequate infrastructure; having EVs on the road will not work if the vehicles cannot be charged reliably. Therefore, it is important to consider the different needs of the electricity grid, for example in terms of transmission, distribution, and substation infrastructure.

Our future power grid must not only be powered by clean energy but also be resilient and accommodating to future needs. The availability of clean electric power and in particular renewable power will be a key factor for EV charging infrastructure site selection. In addition, the grid and surrounding infrastructure should already be adapted for the next evolution of vehicles, including autonomous vehicles and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

4. Improving smart charging at home

According to provider Wallbox, around 80% of electric vehicle charging takes place at home. The government’s New Smart Charging Plan for Electric Vehicles aims at making home charging the primary EV charging method, promoting smart charging as a cost-saving option. In addition to individual savings, smart charging can relieve pressure on the electricity grid, ultimately generating savings for all parties.

Smart electric vehicle chargers that can integrate charging with renewable energy systems will drive EV adoption in the long term. They will contribute to the adoption of clean, renewable energies such as solar power. Drivers with home photovoltaics will be able to charge their cars either entirely with solar power or with excess solar production, making charging both sustainable and significantly cheaper. Bidirectional chargers will allow households to utilise the smart grid by charging the battery at times when energy is cheaper.

5. Building smart and intentional communities

Increasing the amount of public and private electric vehicle charging points will enable smart communities that are intentional about harnessing the technology for a clean energy revolution. As part of the smart city approach, data and technology can help to identify gaps in the existing EV charging network and provide more equitable access in the future, especially in rural or disadvantaged communities. This requires an integrated approach with partnerships between utility companies, suppliers, private companies, transportation agencies, and the government at different levels.

At the same time, smart networks of EV charging points will make it more appealing to drive an electric vehicle, which in turn will improve air quality by reducing the emissions of harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. 

London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone already exempts EVs from its hefty daily charge. This reduction in air pollution can have significant positive impacts on positive health, reducing the risk of respiratory disease and increasing the quality of life in cities.

EV Charging Plays a Key Role in the Clean Energy Transition

Electric vehicle charging infrastructure is an important part of future smart communities that integrate data and technology into the built environment. It creates a convenient and equitable charging network and improves both sustainability and quality of life across neighbourhoods. 

EVs are an important part of the clean energy revolution. By increasing renewable energy adoption, reducing CO2 emissions, creating more resilient infrastructure, providing economic benefits, and improving air quality, electric vehicle charging points can drive cleaner transportation and energy in 2023. 

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The post 5 Ways Electric Vehicle Charging Is Driving the Clean Energy Transition in 2023 appeared first on Earth.Org.