🌞 Solar thermal panels use the sun’s energy to heat your home’s water

🏡 5% of UK homes have solar PV and 0.2% have solar thermal

💷 Solar thermal systems usually cost about £6,000

✂️ Solar PV can cut your electricity bills by 103%, on average

📅 Solar thermal panels don’t last as long as solar PV

Get a quote for solar PV panels

What are solar thermal panels?

Solar thermal panels vs solar PV panels

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Solar thermal or solar PV: our verdict

Solar thermal vs solar PV: FAQs

Is solar thermal better than solar PV?

Is solar thermal worth it in the UK?

What are the disadvantages of solar thermal systems?

Choosing between solar thermal panels and solar photovoltaic panels? Find out which is better when it comes to key factors like costs, savings, and government funding.

Solar thermal vs solar PV: which is better? [UK, 2025]

What's in this guide?

Solar thermal vs solar PV: which is better?

⚡ Microinverters ensure your panels produce as much electricity as possible

🌞 One underperforming panel won’t drag down the whole system

🕙 With microinverters, your panels can generate electricity for longer every day

📅 They usually come with a 25-year warranty

🧭 Microinverters can cope with a system that faces in three different directions

What are microinverters?

The pros and cons of microinverters

Does your solar PV system need microinverters?

How are microinverters installed?

How long do microinverters last?

Microinverters vs optimisers

Are microinverters worth it?

Microinverters: FAQs

Are microinverters better for solar panels?

What are the disadvantages of a microinverter?

How many solar panels can a microinverter handle?

Solar panel microinverters: the expert guide [UK, 2025]

Solar panel microinverters: the expert guide

⚡ Optimisers help to maximise a solar panel’s output

🌳 Solar panels already have technology to help them deal with partial shade

📈 Optimisers increase the cost and complexity of your system

💷 Microinverters are generally better than optimisers, but cost more

🛠️ Either of these products can fix multiple issues that reduce your output

What is a solar panel optimiser?

The pros and cons of solar panel optimisers

Does your solar PV system need optimisers?

How long do solar panel optimisers last?

Solar panel optimisers vs microinverters

Are solar panel optimisers worth it?

Solar panel optimisers: FAQs

Do you need optimisers on all solar panels?

What does an optimiser do on a solar panel?

Where are solar optimisers fitted?

What is the warranty of optimisers vs microinverters?

Here's how optimisers work, their pros and cons, and which households should seriously consider getting them.

Solar panel optimisers: are they worth it? [UK, 2025]

Solar panel optimisers: the expert guide

🏆 Monocrystalline solar panels have the best efficiency and longest lifespan

🌞 Thin-film panels are a good, low-cost option for mobile homes

🖤 The most popular type of solar panel in the UK is monocrystalline

🌟 Perovskite solar panels are at the forefront of solar innovation

🚀 There are some types that could revolutionise the market – but none of them are ready

What are the main types of solar panels?

1. Polycrystalline solar panels

🤔 Thinking of going solar? Here's why a larger system makes sense ⬇️

2. Monocrystalline solar panels

3. Thin-film solar panels

4. Transparent solar panels

5. Solar tiles

6. Perovskite solar panels

What’s the best type of solar panel?

Future solar panels

Solar panel types: FAQs

Which type of solar panel is best?

What type of solar panel is the most efficient?

What's the newest type of solar panel?

Can you mix different types of solar panels?

What’s the most common type of solar panel?

Which is better: monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels?

What will happen to solar panels in the future?

Here are the six main types of solar panel, including monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film, and the best type for your home.

The 6 types of solar panels | What’s the best type? [2025]

The 6 different types of solar panels

✂️ You can cut your heat pump bills by hundreds of pounds with solar panels

🏠 More than 250,000 households have installed a heat pump

👍 The majority of UK homes are suitable for a heat pump and solar panels

💷 Use a solar export tariff that favours heat pump owners to save even more

🌍 Running a heat pump on solar electricity shrinks your carbon footprint

Can you power a heat pump with solar panels?

How many solar panels do you need to power a heat pump?

The ideal number of solar panels you should get doesn’t really change depending on whether you have a heat pump - either way, it’s best to make full use of the space on your roof. Once you’ve paid the fixed costs of installation such as scaffolding and labour, it makes sense to get as many solar panels as possible.

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How much does a heat pump with solar panels cost?

Using a heat pump with solar panels slashes your household’s carbon emissions by a total of 3.1 tonnes of CO2 per year, on average.

Is your home suitable for a heat pump and solar panels?

What’s the best export tariff to use with a heat pump and solar panels?

Most homes in the UK are suitable for a heat pump and solar panels.

What’s the environmental benefit of a heat pump with solar panels?

Next steps

Heat pumps with solar panels: FAQs

Do heat pumps work well with solar panels?

How many solar panels do I need to run a heat pump?

How much is a solar-assisted heat pump?

Is getting a heat pump with solar panels worth it?

Is a 5kW solar panel system enough to heat a house?

Do heat pumps and solar panels save you money?

How much electricity does a heat pump use?

Here's how a heat pump works with solar, how much it costs to buy and run, and which homes are most suitable.

Heat pumps & solar panels: the expert guide [UK, 2025]

Heat pumps & solar panels: the expert guide

⚖️ Thin-film solar panels are very lightweight and flexible

📊 However, they’re less efficient and durable than standard solar panels

🛥️ They’re perfect for mobile homes and canal boats, but less good for houses

📅 Their typical lifespan is relatively short

🛠️ The installation process is pretty easy

What are thin-film solar panels?

The pros and cons of thin-film solar panels

How are thin-film solar panels installed?

How much do thin-film solar panels cost?

Are thin-film solar panels worth it?

Thin-film solar panels: FAQs

Which is better: monocrystalline or thin-film solar panels?

What is the most efficient thin-film solar cell?

Where to use thin-film solar panels?

Thin-film solar panels are lightweight and flexible, but are they suitable for households looking to cut their energy bills? We explore the pros and cons.

Thin-film solar panels: explained [UK, 2025]

Thin-film solar panels: explained

✨ Transparent solar panels have a strong aesthetic appeal

💷 You can currently only buy panels that are partially transparent

📊 They're not as efficient as traditional crystalline solar panels

🏢 Solar glass is already being used on many public buildings across the UK

🏠 You can buy them for your home, though it's not usually worth it

What are transparent solar panels?

What are the types of transparent solar panel?

What are transparent solar panels used for?

Can you buy transparent solar panels in the UK?

Examples of transparent solar panels in the UK

Are transparent solar panels worth it?

Transparent solar panels: FAQs

How expensive are transparent solar panels?

What are the disadvantages of transparent solar panels?

How thick are transparent solar panels?

Explore our detailed guide to solar glass, including how they work, whether they're actually see-through, and whether they're worth it.

Transparent solar panels: an expert guide [UK, 2025]

What's on this page?

Transparent solar panels: an expert guide

📈 Some alternative materials offer higher efficiency but have stability issues

♻️ New recycling methods can recover 99% of a solar panel’s components

💥 ‘Two-for-one’ fission could double the effectiveness of solar cells by using lasers

📉 The trend for solar panel fences show how low costs are dropping

☀️ Textured solar cells could capture up to 66% more daylight

What’s the latest solar panel technology in 2025?

New solar panel technology: FAQs

Is it worth waiting for perovskite solar panels?

Is it a good time to get solar panels in the UK?

Will solar panels ever get more efficient?

We explore the nine most exciting developments in the solar industry in 2025, from indoor solar panels to 'two-for-one' fission.

The best new solar panel technology [Top 9 in 2025]

The best new solar panel technology in 2025

☀️ Solar roof tiles are a subtle way to switch to solar

⚡ However, they aren’t as efficient as standard solar panels

💷 And they can often cost four times as much as normal panels

🏛️ Solar tiles can be perfect for listed buildings and conservation areas

📅 It takes much longer to install solar tiles

Get a quote for traditional solar panels & battery

What are solar roof tiles?

Solar roof tiles vs solar panels

How are solar roof tiles installed?

How much do solar roof tiles cost?

How reliable are solar roof tiles?

Are solar roof tiles worth it?

Solar roof tiles: FAQs

Can you use a storage battery with solar roof tiles?

Can you buy solar roof tiles in the UK?

Can you replace roof tiles with solar panels?

Solar roof tiles are an exciting new technology, but are they worth the significant expense? We weigh up the pros and cons.

Solar roof tiles: are they worth it? [UK, 2025]

Solar roof tiles: are they worth it?

⚡ Solar power diverters heat water with surplus solar electricity

💷 It’s more budget-friendly compared to other solar panel system enhancements

📊 But it doesn’t provide as many savings compared to battery storage

🌞 Most households with solar panels are suitable for a solar power diverter

🔋 If you already have a battery, you probably shouldn't get a solar diverter

What is a solar power diverter?

Is your home suitable for a solar power diverter?

What are the pros and cons of a solar power diverter?

How much does a solar power diverter cost?

Is a solar power diverter worth it?

Summary

Solar power diverters: FAQs

How long do solar diverters last?

How is a solar diverter fitted?

Can I use a solar diverter with a battery?

Wanting to make the most of your solar panel system? Discover how solar power diverters work and whether they're worth having

Solar power diverters: are they worth it? [UK, 2025]

Solar power diverters: are they worth it?

🌞 Both sides of bifacial solar panels absorb sunlight and produce electricity

⚡ Ground-mounted bifacial solar panels generate 5% to 45% more electricity

✂️ They’re ideal on the ground, but can still cut your bills on the roof

💷 You'll usually pay a bit more for bifacial panels

🍓 It's an old technology that's finally borne fruit

Here's what bifacial panels are, how they work, whether they’re worth the cost, and how to take full advantage of them.

Bifacial solar panels: explained [UK, 2025]

Bifacial solar panels: explained

Solar technology