Homeowner Blog

The UK’s grid connection reforms are fundamentally changing how solar and battery storage projects get financed and built. Experts say the shifts, designed to tackle one of Europe’s longest connection queues, are creating both opportunities and headaches for developers, with knock-on effects likely to influence renewable markets across the continent.

“I can’t buy solar, I won’t be in this building long enough to see the returns.”  

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Winter is when a home battery should deliver the biggest savings because electricity is often priciest and solar generation is lowest. But cold temperatures can limit charging and power if a battery cannot manage its own temperature. Look for strong thermal management, outdoor-ready weatherproofing with a suitable IP rating, and an installer who sets your system up to reliably off-peak charge.

What Is the Warm Homes Plan? Do You Qualify?

The Warm Homes Plan is the UK government’s largest ever programme aimed at upgrading existing homes to make them cheaper to run, more energy efficient, and less reliant on fossil fuels.

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Choosing the best solar panels is one of the most important decisions you will make when installing solar. The panel you choose directly affects how much electricity your system generates, how long it lasts, and how quickly it pays for itself. In short, it has a material impact on the lifetime return from your roof.

As the year draws to a close, it is a good moment to reflect on the breadth of solar projects delivered by Spirit Energy over the last twelve months. From large scale commercial rooftops to highly engineered residential systems, this year captures the full range of what modern solar looks like in practice.

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Solar panels work throughout winter in the UK. Output is lower because sunlight levels drop, but panels continue generating on cloudy, rainy and cold days. Cold weather actually often improves efficiency. Hail damage is rare because panels undergo strict impact testing.

If you are searching for a solar installer in Reading or across Berkshire, you want an installer that understands the technology, the regulations, and the real return on investment for your home. You also want an installer with a track record. Spirit Energy has installed thousands of solar panels across Reading, Wokingham, Earley, Caversham, Tilehurst, and wider Berkshire. Our installations range from small domestic rooftops to some of the region’s largest commercial solar projects.

If you want accurate solar panel quotes, a technical solar survey, and a smooth installation process, this is the exact step-by-step journey Spirit Energy takes UK homeowners through. Use our solar calculator to get instant estimates, then follow the seven steps below to understand precisely what happens next.

Can’t have solar PV on your roof? Fear not, you can still benefit from the power of solar energy through smart home battery storage. Home battery storage is fast becoming central to the UK’s energy landscape. Whether you have solar panels or not, a home storage battery lets you store cheap or renewable electricity and use it when prices are high. By 2026, battery systems will be standard across many UK homes, helping reduce bills, balance the grid, and make energy independence achievable.