Homeowner Blog

Today marks the last day that coal will be in the UK’s energy mix since the first plant was commissioned in 1882. But how did we get to this point? What does this mean for the UK’s energy mix, and how will the UK replace such a reliable energy source?

Spirit attended Solar and Storage Convention in Birmingham recently, several notable developments in the UK solar market were highlighted. One of the most exciting of these was the introduction of a new flagship residential solar module from AIKO.

AIKO has made a significant impact on the UK panel market this year with the NeoStar 2, which quickly became very popular with our customers as a solar panel that offers excellent value for its price. The NeoStar 2 is an all-black 455 W solar panel with an efficiency of 22.8% at approximately £70 per unit. The top panel in this range is a 470 W module, which is not all-black but offers an increased efficiency of 23.5%. In just two to three years, this product has enabled AIKO to capture an enormous 10% market share in the UK solar market.

With the recent release of Tesla's Powerwall 3, homeowners looking to invest in a home battery system might find themselves comparing it to GivEnergy's All in One system. Both are top contenders in the residential energy storage market, but how do they stack up against each other? Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the key features, benefits, and considerations for each to help you decide which is the best fit for your home.

When Tesla paid us a visit prior to the launch of the Powerwall 3, they mentioned that Tesla Electric would soon be coming to the UK, and it’s on track for 2025. This exciting development promises to change how we manage our energy with features targeting a similar audience to Octopus Energy’s, which is to say home energy enthusiasts, along with providing big benefits for Tesla customers.

When you install a solar and/or battery system with an inverter output over 3.68 kW, you will need to apply for and gain permission from your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO).

You'll have probably heard on the news the announcement that the Ofgem energy price cap has been lowered once again, going from 24.5p per kWh to 22.36p per kWh, but does this mean energy prices are going to continue to go down and what does this mean for those considering an investment in solar panels?

So, there's less than a week to go until the 2024 election. While Labour are predicted to gain the biggest majority for any party since 1920 and issues of immigration and cost of living are dominating the agenda, we look in more depth at the net zero commitments of each of the parties and the impact their policies may have on the solar industry.

This is the only photo that we have of the Powerwall 3, taken when one of our technicians visited Tesla at the ExCel in London. 

Solar panels produce electricity from the sun’s rays, which means there is no greenhouse gas emissions or pollution, unlike with burning coal, natural gas or any other fossil fuels. This can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and help with the fight against global warming.