Why 2026 is a strong time to go solar
There are three big reasons people are moving now:
1) You can lock in strong upfront value
For many residential installs, the temporary 0% VAT rate for energy-saving materials remains in place until 31 March 2027 — which keeps system costs lower while it lasts.
2) Energy independence is worth more than ever
Solar reduces how much you buy from the grid. Add a battery and you can use more of your own power in the evenings too.
3) You can get paid for what you don’t use
With the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), suppliers pay you for electricity you export. Rates and terms vary by provider and tariff — there’s no single fixed “government rate” — so it’s worth choosing carefully.
Consumer vs producer: what changes?
Most of us think about energy like broadband: you just buy it and use it. Solar flips that.
With the right setup you can:
- Use your solar power first (self-consumption)
- Store spare energy in a battery for later
- Export the rest and earn SEG payments
It’s not about perfection. It’s about control — using more of what you generate, and buying less at the most expensive times.
The real “secret” is system design
Panels matter, but design matters just as much:
- your roof space and layout
- shading and orientation
- your daytime vs evening usage
- future plans (battery, EV charger, heat pump)
A good installer designs around your life, not a generic template.
Why premium panels (like SunPower/Maxeon) can be a smart choice
If your roof space is limited, or you want long-term confidence, premium panels can make a big difference.
For example, Maxeon’s documentation includes product/power warranty terms that can extend up to 40 years for applicable modules.
(Exact warranty depends on product and region — but the point is: you’re buying into long-term performance, not short-term hardware.)
What Simple Solar does differently
Some companies give you a quote, then you only hear from them again on install day. That’s not us.
We focus on:
- clear advice and straight numbers
- tidy installs with proper handover
- system planning that’s battery/EV ready
- help navigating SEG so you’re not left guessing
A simple “day in the life” of a solar home
- Morning:
- your home runs on what your panels start generating
- Midday:
- you cover most usage, top up the battery (if you have one)
- Evening:
- the battery runs the house through peak-rate hours
- Night:
- you buy less from the grid, and you can schedule EV charging smartly
Want to know what your roof could do?
Click Get a quote for a free, fixed-price quote, or call 01752 916 013 to speak with the team.