Is it time to consider solar power for your home?

The story of modern solar energy begins in 1839 with French physicist Edmond Becquerel, who discovered that light could be used to produce electricity. Although many inventors filed patents, the first viable solar cell was only created during the 1950s. And it wasn't until the 1970s that people began to see solar energy as a practical option for their homes.

Today, there's a new urgency to cut the carbon footprints of homes, businesses and cities. And that means solar energy technology for homes is developing at pace— and getting cheaper to install too.

Invented more than half a century ago, the first practical solar cells had an efficiency of 6%, meaning they converted 6% of the sunlight they absorbed into electricity². In 2010, the average commercial solar panel managed 12% efficiency, and 10 years later, this figure has risen to a more impressive 17-19%³.

But solar panels are not just becoming more efficient. While still a significant investment, the cost to install has fallen in recent years providing a shorter payback period. For example, with E.ON's interest-free finance⁴, a homeowner could get an eight-panel system for £111 per month over 36 months, with prices starting from £3,995⁵.

Generating your own solar power is now just the first stage to boosting your independence from the grid; adding a battery allows you to store any energy that is not immediately required for future use. A battery can help power your home and appliances in the evening, increasing the proportion of clean energy used by your family.

A solar energy system can be used to power your home, charge an electric vehicle, or both - and it's kind to the planet and your wallet. Solar energy and battery storage can help reduce your household's impact on the environment, helping you be more sustainable at home as well as slashing your electricity bill by up to £534 per year⁶. All of E.ON's solar panels come with a 25-year guarantee and you can even opt for an in-roof style that sits flush with your roof.

Modern solar panels generate electricity all year round, even in winter and on cloudy days. Costs are lowest and energy savings highest for properties with sunny south-facing roofs, but east and west-facing roofs are also suitable. North-facing roofs are less efficient as they receive less direct sunlight.

If you're considering solar panels, an assessment costs nothing and can be done over the phone. Your engineer will leave you with a quote, and installation typically takes just one day, plus scaffolding time. Why not see if now is the right time for you to go solar?

^{1. National Geographic: solar energy}

^{2. STEM Learning: Solar cells turning sunlight into electricity}

^{3. BBC: A breakthrough approaches for solar power}

^{4. E.ON Energy Installation Services Limited acts as a credit broker not a lender and work exclusively with Creation Consumer Finance Limited who acts as the lender. Credit subject to status, terms and conditions apply and can be found at eonenergy.com/terms-and-conditions/eon-installation, E.ON reserves the right to amend its finance offering at any time and may withdraw at short notice. E.ON UK plc is an Introducer Appointed Representative of E.ON Energy Installation Services Limited who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in relation to credit broking services under number 750410. Registered in England and Wales under company number 09965944 with its registered office at Westwood Way, Westwood Business Park, Coventry, CV4 8LG.}

^{5. Price is based on an 8 Panel “Energise package" (on-roof), concrete tiles (not slate), single elevation of scaffold with no complexities for example a conservatory, single-phase electrics, no trenching required for electrics} 

^{6. Example figure only. Savings are based on a south-facing property in central England with a 40-degree roof tilt and no shading, with electricity consumption of 4,900 kWh. Saving assumes fitting 14 x 325W panels and a 10.4 kWh battery and an electricity cost of 17.812p/kWh.}