We’ve all heard about using solar power as a renewable energy alternative, but how does it actually benefit your home? Does it really make much of a difference in terms of energy and cost savings?
A solar panel system can reduce your reliance on your energy supplier, as direct sunlight from a north facing roof generates its own electricity for you to use throughout the day and night.
At Project Heating Solutions (PHS), we provide businesses and clients with the power to decrease their energy bills and increase the value and energy-efficiency of homes and properties with solar panels and storage batteries, using the sun's energy for good with renewable technologies.
In this blog, we'll see what a typical day in the life of a solar-powered household looks like.
Learn more about the environmental benefits of solar, their impact, and why renewable energy is the future.
Your Morning With Solar Home Energy
Solar PV panels work by converting direct sunlight into electricity using semiconductor materials. The PV charge creates an electric current (specifically, direct current or DC), which is captured by the wiring in solar panels. This DC electricity is then converted to alternating current (AC) by an inverter. AC is the type of current used when you plug appliances into wall sockets.
Solar technology is perfect for homes where surplus electricity and surplus energy is needed, such as large family homes, and homes where heating is used regularly.
As the sun rises, so does the activity of your solar panels. Solar panels cost money, but to absorb that extra cost and install solar panels is to introduce your home to solar panel efficiency, less carbon dioxide emissions, and surplus electricity. You can then sell your extra energy back to energy providers and power stations, offsetting installation costs.
Around 6 AM, the first light begins to generate electricity. By the time you're awake, your home is already starting to utilise this clean energy, and this electricity generated can be used for many different morning activities. From the moment you wake up, solar panels work for you, creating more electricity than the night-time hours.
7:00 AM – Breakfast Time
- Kitchen Appliances: As you prepare breakfast, your toaster, coffee maker, and fridge are all running on solar energy. Unlike traditional energy sources, there's no need to worry about high electricity bills creeping up on you.
- Water Heating: Many solar-powered homes use solar thermal systems for hot water. Your morning shower is heated by the sun, providing a refreshing start to your day without using fossil fuels.
8:00 AM – Getting Ready for the Day
- Lighting and Electronics: LED lights, laptops, and other electronics are powered by the solar energy stored in batteries from the previous day. Solar batteries ensure you have energy even on cloudy days or early mornings when sunlight might not be at its peak.
Midday: Peak Hours For Solar Panel Performance
By late morning, your solar panels are operating at their highest efficiency. This is when the sun is at its strongest, and your system is generating the most power.
12:00 PM – Lunchtime
- Cooking: If you have an electric stove or an oven, they're running efficiently on solar power. Even if you use a microwave, it's being powered by the energy harvested just outside your home.
- Washing and Cleaning: Running your washing machine or dishwasher during midday maximises the use of your solar power. These appliances can consume a lot of energy, but with a well-optimised solar setup, they run without impacting your electricity costs.
1:00 PM – Working
- Remote Work and Study: With many people working or studying from home, the middle of the day is when computers, internet routers, and other electronic devices are in full use. All of these devices draw power directly from the sunlight, reducing reliance on the grid and lowering electricity bills.
An Afternoon Of Energy Saving
As the day progresses, solar panels continue to produce energy, often exceeding the household's immediate needs. This excess energy can be stored in batteries or fed back into the grid, depending on your setup.
3:00 PM – Household Chores
- Vacuuming and Ironing: Afternoon chores like vacuuming or ironing can be done without worry, as the energy being used is directly offset by your solar power production.
- Air Conditioning: During hot summer days, air conditioning can be a significant energy drain. Solar panels provide a sustainable way to keep your home cool without incurring high electricity costs.
5:00 PM – Energy Storage
- Battery Charging: Any excess energy generated during the peak sunlight hours is stored in home batteries. These batteries will be crucial later in the evening when solar production decreases, ensuring a continuous supply of power.
An Evening Of Saving With Household Appliances
As the sun sets, your solar panels’ energy production decreases, and we enter off peak hours for electricity. However, a well-designed solar power system, complete with batteries, ensures that your home remains powered throughout the evening as you store energy for later use.
7:00 PM – Dinner Time
- Cooking and Lighting: Dinner preparation and evening lighting are powered by the energy stored in your solar batteries. Efficient LED bulbs and solar-powered kitchen appliances keep your energy consumption low.
- Entertainment: Watching TV, playing video games, or using computers in the evening all run on the stored solar energy. The shift from active solar power generation to battery usage is seamless, ensuring uninterrupted power.
9:00 PM – Nighttime Routine
- Heating and Cooling: If you use electric heating or cooling systems, they’ll continue to run on stored solar power, keeping your home comfortable as you wind down for the night.
- Charging Devices: Plugging in phones, tablets, and other devices to charge overnight means they are ready for use the next day, all thanks to the power harvested during daylight hours.
Solar Generation for Your Home: Energy Independence From Renewable Technologies
Living in a solar-powered home means embracing a lifestyle that is not only environmentally friendly but also economically beneficial. The daily routine remains largely unchanged, but the source of energy shifts from traditional, often non-renewable sources to clean, renewable solar power. This transition not only helps reduce electricity bills but also contributes significantly to reducing your carbon footprint.
As more households adopt solar energy, the collective impact on the environment and energy costs will be profound, paving the way for a greener, more sustainable world.
If you’re considering joining the movement to embrace renewable energy, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Project Heating Solutions. Our renewable energy experts would love to chat with you about changes you can make to your home to maximise your energy savings, including getting your set up with a professional solar panel installer for any and all solar installations.
Solar Power Home FAQs
How many panels are needed to run a home?
The number of solar panels you need depends on your household’s energy usage, the size of your roof, and how efficient the panels are. You may also need planning permission from your local planning office, especially if you live in or near a conservation area or nearby trees.
On average, a typical UK home will need between 8 to 12 solar panels to meet its electricity needs, which usually equates to a system size of around 3kW to 4kW.
At Project Heating Solutions, we carry out a full assessment to determine exactly how many panels your property needs, including if you have enough space—ensuring optimal performance and maximum savings.
Can I run my house on solar power only in the UK?
It is possible to power your home entirely with solar energy during daylight hours, especially in the spring and summer months when the days are longer. However, since solar panels don’t generate electricity at night and produce less during the winter, most homes still rely on the grid for backup.
To get closer to full energy independence, many of our customers pair their solar system with other renewable technologies like a battery storage solution, allowing them to store their own energy generated during the day and use it when the sun isn’t shining.
Do I still pay for electricity if I have solar panels in the UK?
Yes, in most cases you will still pay something for electricity, but the annual savings will be large, and your carbon emissions and carbon footprint will be smaller (savings based on an average home). Solar panels reduce your reliance on the grid, which lowers your electricity bills—but unless your system includes a battery and is large enough to fully cover your usage year-round, you’ll still need some grid electricity, especially during winter.
The good news is that you can also earn money back when you install panels through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) by exporting surplus solar energy to the grid. We help all our customers get set up with an SEG-compatible system, so they can make the most of their investment.