Homeowner Blog

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?

In December last year, it was announced by the government that battery only installations will qualify for 0% VAT from the 1st February 2024. Previously, battery installations were only exempt when installed alongside a solar PV system. This makes it the perfect time to consider a battery installation in your home, whether you have an existing solar installation or not.

It's been a while since we updated our readership on the full range of export tariffs available on market. Here at Spirit we work closely with a variety of energy companies to help you get the best rates for your solar PV system. With that in mind here is an overview of the state of the market for getting you the best value for excess energy. 

Maybe you’ve seen the uptick in the number of your neighbours installing solar panels recently, and why you may ask? What are they getting out of it? Surely it can’t make any real sense. It might seem like a daunting investment, but once you weigh up the costs and benefits, we think things will get a little clearer.

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Cut your costs - Save money on bills.

Increase your property value - Net present value.

Become more independent – Energy Security and grid reliance.

Be more sustainable – Environmental Benefits

From start to finish Spirit delivered an exceptional level of service in getting my full PV system in place. From providing sensible and occasionally challenging advice, they guided me to the most appropriate configuration to meet our needs.
The technicians managing the installation were a delight to work with keeping me well-advised at each stage of the project.
Overall very happy with my new power station.

Mr. Crowe
May, 2023
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Although energy prices are expected to fall this summer, bills remain as unpredictable as ever, with energy prices double what they were in 2020. The government Energy Price Guarantee which effectively subsidies the unit rate of electricity and gas is due to come to a close in June, so our energy bills will once again be subject to Ofgem's price cap.

A smart meter is an upgraded version of a traditional electricity or gas meter that can communicate wirelessly and automatically with your energy supplier. When your supplier installs one, they also give you an in-home display (IHD) - a small screen that shows your usage in monetary and kWh terms, both in real time and historically.

In just a few months, an energy crisis has become a cost of living crisis.

The energy crisis is largely driven by the cost of natural gas, which has rocketed due to global supply issues, Covid, and geopolitical tensions. The wholesale price of gas in January was about 4 times higher than the previous year:

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) has now been in effect for over two years, since it came into law on January 1st 2020. It’s the mechanism to ensure solar PV owners are paid for the power they send to the grid, ending the policy void that existed since the Feed-in Tariff closed to new applicants in March 2019.

According to the SEG, energy suppliers with over 150,000 customers must offer an export tariff with a rate greater than zero. The SEG is available for customers with an MCS-certified renewable energy system under 5MW and a second generation smart meter.

With zero as the minimum, at the very least you can’t be charged for being relieved of excess solar power. However, suppliers don’t have to give you very much for it. So how much are they offering in practice?