Are Solar Panels Worth Installing In Rothwell?

Yes. Rothwell receives an average of 68.4 sunlight hours per month. This may be low compared to other places, but it is still sufficient for solar panels to generate electricity. Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels convert the sun’s power into electricity, whereas solar thermal panels convert it into heat for your household. Both are suitable for businesses and residential properties in areas with frequent cloud cover such as Rothwell. 

An average home with solar panels reduces carbon emissions by up to 1.6 tonnes a year. If 30% of the 8,862 homes in Rothwell installed solar PV systems, emissions would be reduced by 4,252.8 tonnes a year.  

Solar panels are already low maintenance and the mild weather conditions in Rothwell further insure it against any environmental damage. 

If you are worried about the size and orientation of your roof, Eco Happy can customise solar panels to suit your roof size and your energy requirements. The roofing materials (asphalt shingles, slate, clay tiles, metal, etc.) do not prohibit the installation process either. Installation methods can be easily adapted to fit any material, shape and size. 

The likelihood of power outages across the UK is becoming more imminent due to the closure of still-in-service nuclear power stations, rising energy demands and delays in the delivery of Hinkley Point C (a French-built new generation nuclear power station).

A “crunch point” on energy demands is expected in 2028, with the delivery of Hinkley Point C estimated sometime in 2031. This means more than 7 million homes in the UK are at risk of being without power.

What are the benefits of installing solar panels in Rothwell?

The obvious factors may be well known, but there are plenty more benefits of installing solar panels:

• Cost-effective
• Easy to set up and install
• The addition of a solar battery allows for 24 hours of electricity
• Lowers your carbon footprint
• Great ROI, increases property value by up to 4%
• Reduces your energy bills, you could potentially save up to £500 a year, more if you use a solar battery
• High energy resilience means you’re less likely to be affected by power outages
• It can be aesthetically pleasing
• Solar panels last up to 25 years
• Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) states that utility providers with 150,000+ customers are obligated to pay solar owners for any excess electricity fed back into the grid. Owners are paid per unit according to their utility provider’s rates. 

Other factors such as the use of a solar battery or a heat pump are taken into consideration To qualify you need to verify that the installation and solar panel installers are MCS certified.

• The VAT on energy-efficient systems such as solar panels has been cut from 5% to 0%. This is for either the panels, or the installation, but not both. This relief is only valid until 31st March 2027 whereafter it will revert to 5% VAT.

How Many Solar Panels Do You Need In Rothwell?

When determining how many solar panels your Rothwell home or business requires you need to consider the following:

• The size of the property
• How much energy is consumed/ how much solar power output is required
• Roof size and space
• Number of people
• Type of solar panel

Residential

Below is a basic breakdown of how many solar panels residential homes require. This includes the size of the home as well as the yearly energy consumption. Solar panels with an output of 25W, 350W and 450W are within the most common range recommended for residential properties. These panels are 1.6m x 1m.

House Size	Electricity Consumption (Annual)	No of Solar Panels: 250W	No of Solar Panels: 350W	No of Solar Panels: 450W
Flat/1-bed house	< 2,000 kWh	4	8	6
2-3 bed house	2,000 – 4,000 kWh	6	10	8
4-bed house	4,000 – 6,000 kWh	9	13	10
5-bed house	6,000 – 8,000 kWh	5	16	13

Commercial businesses

Calculating the number of solar panels needed for a business will be a bit more technical than that of a house. You would need to consider all the same factors but the annual energy consumption is likely going to be the determining factor.

Size of Business	Solar power system Size Requirement	No of Solar Panels: 400W	No of Solar Panels: 600W
Small	10 kWh – 20 kWh	25 – 50	16 – 33
Medium	50 kWh – 60 kWh	125 – 150	83 – 100
Large	80 kWh – 100 kWh	200 – 250	133 – 166

How Much Does Solar Panel Installation Cost In Rothwell?

Just like the factors mentioned above determine how many panels you need, these will also affect the cost of your solar panel installation for your home or business. Costs will be affected by further factors such as: 

• The kW size of your solar panel system
• Type (solar PV or solar thermal panels) 
• Size of panels
• Roof size 
• Complexity of installation
• Brand of solar panel
• Additional labour 

Residential cost (with solar battery)

House Size	System Size Requirement	Solar Panel Cost (including installation)	Solar Battery Cost	Total Cost
Flat/1-bed house	3 kWh	£5,000 – £6,000	£2,500 – £3,500	£7,500 – £9,500
1-2 bed house	4 kWh	£6,000 – £8,000	£3,500 – £4,000	£9,500 – £12,000
3- 4-bed house	5 kWh	£8,000 – £9,000	£4,000 – £5,000	£12,000 – £14,000
5-bed house	6 kWh	£9,000 – £11,000	£5,000 – £7,500	£14,000 – £18,500

Commercial business costs

Business Size	Recommended Solar Panel System Size	Number Of Solar Panels (400W)	Number Of Solar Panels (600W)	Estimated Costs (incl installation)
Small	20kW	25 – 30	16 – 33	£16,000-£30,000
Medium	60kW	125 – 150	83 – 100	£39,000-£75,000
Large	100kW	200 – 250	133 – 166	£60,000-£120,000

Full ROI could potentially be achieved between 12- 17 years, depending on the size of the system and the usage. 

Are there solar panel grants available in Rothwell?

There are numerous grants available to those who live in Rothwell that assist with the financing of solar panel systems and/or installation.

Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) Scheme

ECO4 is for low-income households. This scheme incentivises the installation of energy-saving heating systems such as PV solar panels and is valid until March 2026. Your house must be Energy Performance Certified and band D-G to be eligible.

Home Upgrade Grant (HUG)

The HUG is only available to those in England. To be eligible for this grant you must not use a gas boiler as your main heating system, your home must have an EPC between D and G. Up to £10,000 may be provided for solar installation. This grant is valid until March 2025.

Get Your Solar Panel Installation Quote Today

Are you ready to get your solar panels installed? Simply fill out our form and receive your quote today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need permission planning to install solar panels?

As of November 2023, the UK government implemented new rules which allow for solar panel installation with fewer to no required permissions. Most residences do not require permission. However, flats, listed buildings and properties in conservation areas may still require permission. 

Can I install solar panels on my roof if it is an irregular shape?

Yes, solar panels can be installed on most roof structures, provided that they are strong enough. Irregular roofs may not be able to be fully covered, but systems can be installed that still meet your energy requirements. 

What exactly is solar photovoltaics?

This refers to cells in solar panels that convert the sun’s energy into electricity.

Could I install solar panels myself?

Are you a qualified and certified installer? If not then the answer is probably no. It is possible to install your own solar panels, but the risks involved are not worth it. You might think that you could save a bit of money with a DIY job but the truth is that your warranty may be deemed invalid and you will have to deal with a mountain of admin regarding legalities. 

Other Areas We Service Near Rothwell

Horsforth	Farsley	Mirfield
Pudsey	Birstall	Batley
Brooklands	Bingley	Brighouse
Liversedge	Featherstone	Heckmondwike
Wakefield	Leeds	Guiseley
Cleckheaton	Castleford	Clayton
Dewsbury