Category: Solar panels
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18,000 UK solar owners could face HMRC fine Friday
Thousands of UK homeowners with solar panels could be hit with unexpected £100 fines this week as the HMRC paper tax return deadline approaches. Many are unaware that income earned from selling unused solar energy back to the grid could push them over the £1,000 tax-free trading allowance. With the deadline falling on Friday, homeowners…
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Fire risk increased by poor solar panel installations, insurer warns
Homeowners are being warned of the dangers of hiring disreputable installers for solar panels, following a series of fires linked to the renewable energy source in the past year. Insurance provider AXA UK has published guidance for customers to help manage the risks associated with photovoltaic (PV) systems. According to the guidance, the common underlying…
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Solar Together helps thousands save on solar panels
A growing number of local councils across England are teaming up with the Solar Together scheme to offer residents steep discounts on solar panels and battery storage through collective purchasing. Instead of shopping around alone, homeowners can register and benefit from the bargaining power of their community, potentially cutting costs by 10–25 % or more.…
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Can solar panels catch fire? We look at the risks
Solar panels are marketed as a safe, green solution, but what if the very panels on your roof could spark a fire? It’s a risk many homeowners have never considered, yet recent cases prove that although it is rare it is also very much possible. So, how can solar panels catch fire and what’s behind…
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Are ground mounted solar panels worth installing?
As electricity costs rise, so does the interest in solar panels as a way of generating your own free, clean electricity. But, if your roof isn’t suitable for solar PV panels, are ground mounted solar panels worth installing instead? While not as common as roof mounted panels, solar PV generation is all about sunshine, so…
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I’m a solar expert: These are the top 5 solar panel problems
In the quest to reduce energy bills, many homeowners look to solar Photovoltatic panels as a means of avoiding expensive monthly costs. But, are there solar panel problems we might not be aware of? Renewable energy expert, David Hilton, first installed solar panels on his house in 2010, when the Feed in Tariff (FiT) of…
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The UK must ditch imported solar panels and build its own, experts say
Britain is in the middle of a solar power boom but few realise how dependent this green energy revolution is on imported technology. As demand surges, concerns are mounting over the ethical and strategic risks tied to foreign solar panel supply chains. With a new generation of British solar technology ready for deployment, many are…
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A look inside one of Britain’s greenest homes
An energy-efficient home in Tolleshunt Knights, Essex, has been relisted at offers over £1.5 million after a recent price reduction. Paternoster Lodge was recognised with the Maldon District Council Sustainability Award and received a design commendation for its use of low-impact construction, materials and systems. With an A+ EPC rating, the property integrates solar, battery,…
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Households with solar panels missing out on hundreds of pounds by sticking with Feed In Tariffs, report suggests
Solar homeowners still on the government’s Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme could be missing out on significantly higher earnings by switching to the Smart Export Guarantee, according to a recent report. The analysis highlights that many households can boost their export payments by hundreds of pounds annually without affecting their existing generation income. With Smart Export…
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What is the role of a solar panel inverter?
It is hard to believe that it is already 15 years since the introduction of the Feed In Tariff (FiT) and the subsequent mass installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology on our roofs. There is now barely a street in the UK where you don’t see at least one roof with solar panels attached to…