SOLAR NEWS, GUIDES & UPDATES
Simple, no-jargon reads on solar, batteries, EV charging, heat pumps, and smart tariffs.
- 0% VAT
- 2026
- Battery retrofit
- Battery storage
- Battery Storage
- Christmas
- Cornwall
- Devon
- Devon & Cornwall
- Energy bills
- Energy independence
- Energy Price Cap
- finance
- grants
- Home energy storage
- Ofgem
- permitted development
- planning permission
- Recycling
- Smart tariffs
- Solar panels
- Solar Savings
- Solar upgrade
- Sustainability
- testla powerwall 3
- Time-of-use
- UK Energy Bills
- UK incentives
- VAT relief
- WEEE
THE £9,000 OIL AND LPG HEAT PUMP GRANT IS LIVE NOW – BUT ONLY UNTIL 31 MARCH 2027
£9,000 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for eligible off-gas oil/LPG homes in Devon, Cornwall & Somerset – until 31 March 2027.
ROOFTOP SOLAR IS HAVING A RECORD YEAR – AND THE SOUTH WEST IS NEAR THE FRONT OF THE QUEUE
Nearly 172,000 UK solar installations in 2026, and the South West is second in the country. What the government’s first regional figures mean for Devon homes.
OFGEM ENERGY PRICE CAP RISES 4% FROM OCTOBER 2026: WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR BILLS AND WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT
Ofgem’s price cap rises 4% from 1 October 2026. See the new gas and electricity rates and how heat pumps, solar and batteries can cut grid reliance.
UK INFLATION RISES TO 2.9%: FOUR WAYS TO GIVE YOUR HOME MORE CONTROL
UK inflation rose to 2.9% as energy bills climbed. Discover how solar panels, batteries, heat pumps and smart EV charging can provide more control.
BRITAIN’S SOLAR BOOM: WHY INSTALLATIONS HAVE REACHED A 15-YEAR HIGH
UK solar installations have hit their highest 6-month level since 2011. Discover what’s driving Britain’s solar boom and what it means for homeowners.
GREAT BRITAIN’S NEW EMERGENCY POWER CUT RULES: CAN A HOME BATTERY KEEP THE LIGHTS ON?
New emergency power cut rules start on 14 August 2026. Learn how Tesla Powerwall 3 home battery backup could keep your lights and appliances on.
PLUG-IN SOLAR BECOMES LEGAL THIS MONTH: HOW DOES IT COMPARE WITH ROOFTOP SOLAR?
Plug-in solar becomes legal on 27 August 2026. How do 800W plug-in systems compare with rooftop solar for homeowners in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset?
OFGEM’S ENERGY PRICE CAP RISES 13% FROM 1 JULY 2026: WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR BILLS, AND HOW TO PROTECT YOUR HOME
Learn what it means for your bills and how solar, battery storage and heat pumps can protect your home in Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset.
Planning rules are now easier for air source heat pumps (and EV chargers) in England
Planning rules for air source heat pumps have been relaxed in England, so more homes can install without a full planning application. Here’s what changed, what still matters, and how to check your property quickly.
Solar + Battery + Smart Tariffs in 2026: How to cut your bill without changing your lifestyle
UK smart tariffs are moving fast, and the best value now comes from pairing solar with battery storage. Here’s how households in Devon & Cornwall can use cheap-rate periods, stored solar, and simple setup choices to cut bills and rely less on the grid.
Battery storage retrofits are now available (even if you already have solar)
Battery storage retrofits are now available across Devon & Cornwall. If you already have solar, you can add a battery to store surplus energy and use it later—without replacing your whole system.
UK Solar Panel Recycle Rules Are Getting Tighter — Here’s What It Means for Devon & Cornwall
Solar panels last decades, but what happens at end of life? UK recycling rules are tightening, and good installers should plan for it from day one. Here’s what to look for.
Energy price cap update (Jan–Mar 2026): what it means for your bills
Ofgem’s energy price cap changes for January–March 2026. Here’s what it means, and how solar + batteries help you rely less on price swings.
0% VAT on solar & battery installations ends March 2027 (here’s what to know)
A £10,000 solar install could cost £500 more after March 2027. Here’s how the current 0% VAT relief works and who it applies to.