As the cost of living continues to climb, households across the UK are feeling the strain. With the energy price cap set to rise again — now reaching £1,717 per year for a typical dual-fuel household, according to the latest figures from Ofgem — it’s clear that many will face an additional £149 on their annual energy bills. While these price hikes are worrying, there’s a sustainable solution that can help homeowners take back control: solar panels.
Solar panels offer an incredible opportunity to be self-sufficient and to generate your own electricity, meaning you are not relying on National Grid and insulating yourself from the ongoing price increases. Here’s how they can help counteract the energy price cap rise.
1. Generate Your Own Energy and Reduce your Monthly Out-Goings
Arguable the biggest advantage of solar panels is that you are generating your own electricity. By using the sun rays all around us, your home is becoming more self-sufficient and running on its own. Youre no longer relying on paying monthly to one of the big energy suppliers. When you’re generating your own energy, you reduce the amount of electricity you need to buy from the grid, helping to lower your bills even in the face of rising energy prices.
This is particularly relevant for homeowners in the North East of England. Our region enjoys a decent amount of sunlight throughout the year, and even on cloudy days, solar panels can still generate electricity.
By choosing solar energy, you’re not just supporting a greener future—you’re also covering part of your energy needs without having to reach for your wallet.
2. Faster Return on Investment
As energy costs rise, the savings you’ll make from solar panels increase too. Higher electricity prices mean that every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy you generate at home becomes more valuable, translating into greater savings on your energy bill.
This means that solar panels are an even smarter investment today than they were a few years ago. The payback period — the time it takes for your solar panels to effectively pay for themselves — is getting shorter.
Although the initial cost might seem high, switching to solar is a wise financial move over time, especially as energy prices continue to soar.
3. Protection from Future Price Hikes
One of the most frustrating parts of relying on a traditional energy supplier is having no control over price hikes. As we’ve seen with recent price cap increases, energy costs can swing unpredictably, making it tough for households to manage their budgets.
By installing solar panels, you’re protecting yourself from these rising costs. The more energy you generate and use from your own system, the less you’re affected by sudden price jumps. Over time, this independence becomes even more valuable, especially as fossil fuel prices keep climbing and the energy market remains unpredictable.
4. Environmental Benefits
Beyond the cost savings, solar panels offer big environmental benefits by cutting down your carbon footprint. With the UK pushing towards its net-zero goals, the government is still providing incentives to promote renewable energy use. Although the Feed-in Tariff is no longer available, the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) lets homeowners with solar panels sell their extra electricity back to the grid, adding another way to save.
An Investment for Today and Tomorrow
With energy bills rising and future price hikes likely, investing in solar panels now could be one of the smartest financial decisions you make. Not only will you enjoy immediate savings on your energy bills, but you’ll also be better equipped to navigate the uncertainties of future energy price increases.
At North East Solar, we’re here to help you take control of your energy. Our team will guide you through the whole process, from the first chat to installation, ensuring your home gets all the benefits of solar power and you are well up-to-date with what were doing and how the solar panels will. Get in touch today to see how solar panels can save you money in the long run and help you build a more sustainable, self-sufficient future.