New Solar Technology Could Boost Household Savings by 41%, New Analysis Reveals

Homeowners considering solar energy could now save significantly more on their electricity bills than they would have just five years ago, according to new research from renewable energy specialist MakeMyHouseGreen.com

The company's latest modelling suggests a typical household installing solar panels today could save around £1,285 per year, compared with approximately £913 annually from an equivalent installation in 2021. 

That represents a substantial 41% increase in potential savings.

The findings come from a reassessment of 240 British homes originally analysed in 2021. Importantly, the roof size, orientation and pitch of each property remained unchanged, meaning the increase in projected savings comes primarily from advances in solar technology rather than larger installations.

Over the past five years, solar panels have become significantly more powerful. Typical panel output has increased from around 365 watts to 480 watts, enabling homeowners to generate far more electricity from the same roof space. Across the homes studied, average annual electricity generation rose from 4,851 kWh to 6,394 kWh.

At the same time, the value of that electricity has increased. Household energy prices remain considerably higher than they were before the energy crisis, meaning every unit of electricity generated and consumed at home delivers greater financial benefits.

Llewellyn Kinch, founder and CEO of MakeMyHouseGreen, says two major factors are driving the improvement. He told That's Green: "The panels are more powerful, so the same roof area delivers higher output. At the same time, the grid electricity that solar replaces costs more, so every unit you generate yourself is more valuable."

However, Kinch stresses that solar isn't automatically the right solution for every property. Installation costs have also risen, and factors including roof orientation, shading and household energy usage patterns can significantly affect the return on investment.

For most homeowners, the key question remains whether their property is suitable for solar generation. While south-facing roofs are often considered ideal, east and west-facing roofs can also perform well. Heavy shading from nearby trees or buildings, however, can reduce effectiveness.

The research highlights how rapidly solar technology continues to improve and reinforces the growing role renewable energy can play in reducing household energy bills. For homeowners with a suitable roof and sufficient daytime electricity usage, solar power may now offer better value than ever before, while also helping to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower household carbon emissions.

As energy prices remain unpredictable, generating your own electricity is becoming an increasingly attractive option for many UK households.