Homeowner Blog

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

TL;DR

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.

TL;DR
In 2025 Great Britain reached a new milestone in clean energy. Provisional figures show that renewable electricity generation from wind, solar, biomass and hydro hit unprecedented levels, with total output surpassing 127 terawatt hours. This was more than in any prior year, underscoring the rapid growth of renewables in the national energy mix. Wind continued to be the largest single renewable source, generating over 85 terawatt hours, while solar electricity rose sharply, increasing by nearly a third compared to 2024.

TL;DR
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.

TLDR:
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.

Are you the owner of one of our 6,000+ installations that also gets paid a Feed-in Tariff?

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.