10 reasons to go solar in 2026
Energy bills are still unpredictable. The grid still isn’t getting cheaper. Solar is one of the few home upgrades that can cut your monthly costs and make your property more future-ready — without changing how you live day to day.
Here are 10 genuinely solid reasons 2026 is a great time to make the switch.
3) Make solar even cheaper with 0% VAT (while it lasts)
In the UK, solar panels (and battery storage) qualify for a temporary 0% VAT rate on installation until 31 March 2027.
That’s a real saving upfront — and it’s time-limited.
4) Get paid for what you don’t use (SEG)
With the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), you can earn money for excess electricity you export back to the grid. Export rates vary by supplier, so we’ll point you at what to compare and what paperwork matters.
5) Add a battery and keep more of your own power
Solar is great on its own. Solar + battery is where it gets serious: you store daytime generation and use it in the evening when electricity is typically most expensive. It also makes your whole system feel “always on”, not just a daytime saver.
6) Pair it with EV charging and make driving cheaper
If you’ve got an EV (or one is coming soon), solar can take a big chunk out of your charging cost. And with a solar-aware charger, you can prioritise surplus solar automatically.
7) Make your home easier to sell (and nicer to live in)
Buyers increasingly care about running costs and EPC. Solar helps with both. Even if you’re not selling soon, it’s still the same win: a lower-cost home to run.
8) Modern panels are powerful, tidy, and low-maintenance
Today’s systems are cleaner-looking, more efficient, and come with proper monitoring apps. Solar shouldn’t feel “techy” — it should feel like something that just works.
1) Cut your electricity bills (right away)
The simplest win: you generate your own power and buy less from the grid. The more you use electricity in the daytime, the faster you feel the benefit.
2) Lock in protection from price rises
Even if tariffs jump again, your solar output doesn’t suddenly get more expensive. Solar gives you a chunk of “stable-priced” energy for decades.
9) Long warranties = long-term peace of mind
This is where quality matters. For example, Maxeon (SunPower-branded in some markets) has offered up to 40-year product/performance warranties on certain panel lines. 
(Exact terms depend on the product and region — we’ll always show you the warranty details for the panel you’re actually buying.)
10) Businesses can see strong returns (and may claim tax allowances)
If you’re a business, solar can be a straightforward cost-reduction project, especially with high daytime usage. Depending on your setup and business type, you may be able to claim capital allowances like the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA), and companies may have access to first-year allowances such as full expensing or the 50% special rate first-year allowance on qualifying assets. 
(Always confirm specifics with your accountant — but yes, the tax side can materially improve ROI.)
Quick tips to get the most value in 2026
If you’re home a lot in the day, solar-only can be amazing.
If your usage is mostly evenings, consider a battery from day one (or at least go battery-ready).
If you have an EV, choose a charger that can prioritise solar.
For homes
Prioritise sites with strong daytime demand (offices, workshops, warehouses).
Look at roof condition + future expansion (additional arrays, EV charging).
Don’t ignore monitoring — it’s how you prove savings internally.
For businesses
Want a real number for your roof?
If you want, paste your typical annual electricity usage (kWh) and whether you have an EV / battery in mind, and I’ll write a simple “estimated savings” section for this guide that stays realistic and doesn’t overpromise.
Click Get a quote for a free, fixed-price quote, or call 01752 916 013 to speak with the team.