Homeowner Blog

With solar installations on the rise, many homeowners ask the same question: should I use my solar panels to charge my EV? At first glance, the answer seems obvious. Solar provides free electricity, so why not use it to power your car and enjoy zero-emission miles?

As more homeowners look for sleek, high-performing renewable energy systems, Viridian Solar has emerged as a leading choice for in-roof solar. Unlike traditional on-roof solar systems that sit above the tiles, Viridian integrates directly into the roofline, creating a neat, efficient, and cost-effective solution.

Deciding to install solar panels and a battery is one of the smartest investments you can make for your home. Done right, it can cut energy bills, provide independence from the grid, and add value to your property. But if it’s done wrong, the outcome can be costly and disappointing. Solar is not something you can just order online and have working out of the box. Careful planning and expert design are essential to getting the best long-term return.

When you invest in solar panels, you want absolute confidence that the company you select is reliable, professional and transparent. Being endorsed as a Which? Trusted Trader provides exactly that reassurance. Our membership of the scheme means we have been through one of the most thorough vetting processes in the home-improvement industry. In this article, we’ll explain what Which? does, why its Trusted Trader endorsement matters and how it benefits you when you choose us for your solar installation.

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.

Maximise your return and reduce your energy bills faster

When considering solar and battery storage, one of the most common motivations is the financial return. A well-designed system can pay for itself in just a few years and continue saving you thousands over its lifetime. But not all systems are created equal, and the choices you make during the design and installation stages will determine just how fast you break even.

Here are the ten most important factors that can improve your solar payback period - and save you more in the long run.

When most people think of solar panels, they picture arrays neatly fitted on a roof or sprawling across a field. However, there’s another equally innovative option that’s been gaining traction – wall mounted solar panels. At Spirit Energy, we’ve successfully installed several wall mounted systems, including a recent project in Buckinghamshire where 18 panels were strategically split between south and west facing walls.

Covered in this blog:

• How wall mounted panels work
• Performance compared to conventional pitched roof systems
• Planning considerations
• Costs
• When they might be the right choice for your home
  

The Sigenergy SigenStor, by offering groundbreaking innovations in scalability, smart control, off-grid capabilities, and integrated EV charging, redefines what homeowners can expect from energy storage solutions. Unlike many existing systems that offer rigid configurations and somewhat limited flexibility, the SigenStor brings a new level of adaptability and forward-thinking design to the market.