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Discover if cheap solar panels are any good, or is more expensive options are worth the money.
Depending on the size of your system, solar panels cost between £4,850 and £13,000 including installation and a battery.
While it is possible to get cheaper solar panels, they tend to be less efficient, which means they generate less solar electricity and don’t last as long as more expensive and better-quality panels.
In this guide, our solar experts delve into the pros and cons of cheap solar panels, and whether they’re worth it.
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The cheapest solar panel systems also tend to be the least efficient and generate less electricity, so investing in a high-quality solar panel system is advisable. These systems will be at least 20 per cent efficient and usually come with a guarantee of 85 per cent of their original efficiency after 25 years.
Depending on your location, a typical 4.5kW solar panel system with a battery will reduce your household electricity bill by £865 to £1,011 per year. In most circumstances, you can recoup the initial cost of solar panels after 9 to 11 years.
You can also earn money by exporting excess energy to the national grid under the government’s Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme, making the initial outlay for more expensive higher-quality panels worthwhile.
Regardless of price, a good solar panel should be efficient, made with high-quality components, installed by a certified professional, and come with a warranty.
Most solar panels, including most cheap solar panel brands, are now made in China. They are manufactured at scale in large facilities to reduce costs. A typical solar panel consists of a frame, a glass covering, a layer of encapsulated silicon solar cells, a backsheet and supporting elements, such as a junction box and inverter. It’s worth trying to balance price and the quality of components when searching for cheap solar panels.
Thin-film solar panels are an alternative to conventional rigid solar panels. They’re more flexible and can be used for building-integrated solar PV panels, including solar roof tiles and solar windows. However, this material is less efficient than conventional solar PV cells and requires more space, so it’s usually installed in large arrays by commercial businesses and other large organisations.
Different countries have different standards and certification schemes – in the United Kingdom it’s the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). So when you’re comparing cheap solar panels in the UK, you’ll want a brand that has been MCS-certified. This scheme also covers installers, so the best solar panel installers will always have MCS accreditation.
Even the most expensive solar panel system won’t effectively generate electricity if it isn’t installed properly. The solar panels must be fitted at an 18 to 36º angle for maximum efficiency, and the entire array must face a suitable direction to capture the maximum amount of sunlight (usually south or southeast).
There are a range of high-quality yet relatively low-cost solar panel brands on the market. Our guide to the best solar panels includes options to suit a range of budgets, with plenty of models in the £100–£200 range.
The most efficient solar panel we reviewed is the Project Solar Evolution Max 500W, with an efficiency rate of 25.5 per cent. While it costs over £300 per panel, it comes with lifetime performance and product warranties. Other brands which offer relatively affordable, high-quality panels include AIKO, JA Solar and Perlight.
An installer should visit your property to inspect which type of panels would be most suitable. All reputable solar installers in the UK should be accredited by the MCS, so will have a good understanding of what makes a quality panel, and can advise on the best for your budget from a range of brands so you can make an informed decision.
The best way to reduce the cost of a solar panel system is to shop around and get a range of quotes. Smaller, regional solar panel installers will often be cheaper than larger companies. Additionally, the government’s SEG scheme, which replaced the Feed-In Tariff (FIT), requires energy companies to pay tariffs for homeowners who export excess solar power to the grid from their solar panel systems.
Some solar panel grants might enable eligible homeowners to recoup 100 per cent of the cost for solar panels.
Most high-quality solar panels last for 25 to 30 years, but cheaper solar panels may have a considerably shorter lifespan.
High-quality solar panels have much better components than cheaper panels, so the frame, glass sheet and other elements tend to look better.
Under the previous government incentive scheme, the FIT, some solar panel installers offered free solar panels in return for claiming the FIT. While this is no longer the case, some people may be able to obtain free solar panels using solar panel grants, such as the ECO4 scheme, which provides grants for low-income, vulnerable and fuel-poor households. This scheme will run until December 2026.
