Category: Solar panels
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How solar panel gel improves PV efficiency in heatwaves
As the UK faces more frequent and intense heatwaves, a new cooling gel developed by international researchers offers a promising way to protect solar panels from overheating. This material can lower panel temperatures by up to 14.1°C, boosting energy output by nearly 13% while extending the lifespan of solar panels by more than 200%. By…
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We asked an expert, are solar panels worth it?
As electricity prices continue to rise, renewable energy continues to be an investment many homeowners are considering making. But, with solar panel costs adding a hefty chunk of money to your budget, we asked renewables energy expert David Hilton, ‘are solar panels worth it?’ While his overall answer is yes, making sure they are depends…
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We asked an expert, are solar panels worth it?
As electricity prices continue to rise, renewable energy continues to be an investment many homeowners are considering making. But, with solar panel costs adding a hefty chunk of money to your budget, we asked renewables energy expert David Hilton, ‘are solar panels worth it?’ While his overall answer is yes, making sure they are depends…
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‘Postcode lottery’ for heat pump and solar approvals exposed in new data
Homeowners looking to install heat pumps, solar panels, or EV chargers may find themselves caught in a postcode lottery, with approval times ranging from just one day to more than six weeks depending on where they live. New data from Octopus Energy highlights significant regional variation in how quickly low-carbon home technologies are approved for…
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Great British Energy blocks use of solar panels linked to forced labour
The UK government has announced that Great British Energy, the state-owned energy company, will be prohibited from using solar panels linked to forced labour practices in China’s Xinjiang region. This decision comes amid mounting pressure from MPs, campaigners, and international observers to ensure that the UK’s transition to renewable energy does not come at the…
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U-turn as Government makes solar panels mandatory on all new homes by 2027
The Labour Government has announced a major policy shift, confirming that all new homes in England must be fitted with solar panels by 2027. The move comes just months after ministers rejected the Sunshine Bill, marking a significant U-turn on renewable energy policy. Environmental campaigners, including CPRE, have hailed the decision as a major victory…
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Do solar panels and underfloor heating mean free heating?
With increasing energy bills, it’s not uncommon to look at renewable energy such as solar panels as a way of reducing costs. Despite the initial investment, it can pay dividends in the long run, reducing your energy bills and improving your carbon footprint. But, is it ever possible to pinpoint exactly what your solar power…
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Will the UK’s solar power boom be built on the back of slave labour?
Is the UK’s clean energy transition at risk of being powered by modern slavery? That was the stark question raised in a heated Parliamentary debate on the Great British Energy Bill, as MPs clashed over whether the government is doing enough to prevent solar panels linked to forced labour from entering the UK’s energy supply…
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Homeowner has solar panel application rejected — only to find 2,000 acre solar farm is approved next door
A Wiltshire homeowner who was denied permission to install solar panels on his property is now leading a battle against a sprawling 2,200-acre solar farm planned for the countryside near his home. Tony Ward, who has lived in his Grade II listed home in Chippenham for two decades, says the proposed development would devastate the…
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Why the cost of getting solar panels for your home is about to rise
The cost of solar panels in the UK could be set to rise following a major policy change by the Chinese government. China has reduced export tax rebates for key solar panels and key solar components, including photovoltaic (PV) cells, solar glass and solar ribbons, from 13% to 9%, which could be removed entirely later…