Are solar photovoltaic panels suitable

The most common type of solar panel system used for domestic homes is PV – photovoltaic – panels. They collect energy from the sun in photovoltaic cells, which is then passed through an inverter to generate electricity. Each photovoltaic cell is made up of a series of layers of conductive material. Silicon is the most common.

Well-chosen solar panels can provide a reliable source of renewable electricity for decades, helping to slash your electricity bills and cut your carbon footprint. But buying an inappropriate solar PV system for your home could leave you out of pocket.

Solar panels do give a number of benefits – some are fairly obvious, but there are others you may not have thought of: Lower energy bills. Producing your own electricity to power your home and your vehicles means you can reduce the amount you take from the grid – which right now is extremely costly.

The best type of solar panel is monocrystalline. They're more efficient than any other panel currently on the market, meaning you'll be making the best use of your roof space. And they have longer lifespans than all their competitors, which boosts their return on investment beyond that of polycrystalline panels or solar tiles.

Silicon is the most common. Before you invite any solar panel firms to give you a quote, consider what type of solar PV you want. The most popular, most efficient and most expensive option. Very space efficient, so they need the smallest amount of roof space. Made from a very pure form of silicon.

Once your solar system is installed, your electricity is free, and any energy price increase only means you're saving even more. The price of solar panels has gone down dramatically in recent years, so it's no longer expensive to install solar on your home.