Homeowner Blog

Introducing Solar Skin: Custom Solar Panel Aesthetics Without Compromising Performance

A new product is set to enter the UK solar market: Solar Skin. Developed by US-based Sistine Solar, this innovative technology allows solar panels to be customised with designs that either blend into the surrounding roofscape or provide a visually striking alternative to the traditional black or blue panel appearance.

We’ve been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the AIKO Neostar 3 in the UK—and it’s finally here. Now available to order, this panel is already our new standard offering at Spirit Energy. But what makes it so special? Is it really a leap forward from the Neostar 2? And is this the right panel for your roof?

In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into the performance specs, design choices and technology that make the Neostar 3 one of the most advanced residential solar panels currently available in the UK.

Choosing the right time-of-use tariff can transform a solar-and-battery setup from a novelty into a genuine money-saving powerhouse. An energy tariff determines how much you pay for every unit of electricity you import, and what you receive for every kilowatt-hour you export. While most standard plans charge a flat rate, Octopus Energy’s smart tariffs use time-of-use pricing to reward off-peak consumption and peak exports, perfect for households with solar panels, home batteries, EVs or even heat pumps. Though rates vary regionally (London tends to be about 10 % higher than Yorkshire), the principles we explore here apply across the UK.

Pictured -
Archie Helas, Technical Designer, Spirit Energy
Tok Charles, Technical Designer, Spirit Energy
Greg Jackson, CEO, Octopus Energy

Spirit Energy has just been crowned Octopus Energy’s Customer‑Focused Installer - and we couldn’t be more thrilled! On 4 April 2025, CEO Greg Jackson presented us with this prestigious accolade, recognising our passion for putting customers at the heart of everything we do.

We broke down everything you need to know about the single-phase Sigenergy SigenStor system – in just five minutes – covering its modular design, future-proof battery tech, and advanced smart features.

We took a closer look at the three-phase version of the Sigenergy SigenStor to explain how it differs from the standard single-phase setup – and what it means for homeowners with a three-phase supply or commercial clients looking for serious storage capacity.

We travelled to the Houses of Parliament for the second reading of the Sunshine Bill – a proposed law that would make solar panels mandatory on all new homes in the UK.

Spirit Energy recently installed 18 solar panel wall mounts with two Tesla Powerwall 3 batteries at a house in Buckinghamshire. Learn about the benefits of wall mounted solar panels by watching this video. Learn everything about wall mounted solar panels:

Wall Mounted Solar Panels - Spirit Energy

Wall Mounted Solar Panels - Everything You Need To Know: 
Wall Mounted vs Roof Mounted Solar Panels