The benefits of solar panels in new build homes
How do solar panels work?
We all know a bit of sunshine can brighten your day, but solar panels can make a difference for your home too.
By generating your own electricity, solar panels can bring plenty of benefits to your new home, and the perks don’t stop when the sun goes down. Here are some of the benefits you'll get when you buy a Gleeson home with solar panels.
How do solar panels work?
Solar panels use sunlight to generate electricity for your home, meaning you can use the electricity your panels produce instead of buying so much from your energy supplier.
The panels capture natural light and turn it into electricity, which you can use to power things around your home, from lights and appliances to your air source heat pump. You’ll use the electricity your panels generate first, and if you need more than they produce, you’ll simply get the rest from the grid. Your solar panels will work on cloudy days too, although they’ll typically produce more electricity when the sun is shining.
Lower electricity bills
One of the biggest benefits of solar panels is that they can help reduce how much you spend on electricity. In fact, the UK government states that homeowners could save around £500 a year on energy bills, but the amount you could save will depend on things like the size of your solar panel system, the direction your roof faces and how much electricity you use.
You can also make your panels work harder to reduce your bills by timing your energy use carefully. Running appliances like the washing machine or dishwasher during peak daylight hours means you rely less on purchased power and keep more of your own generated electricity within your own four walls.
Less maintenance, more peace of mind
Because they typically have a lifespan of around 25 years and feature zero moving parts, having a new home with solar panels means there’s very little to worry about once you’ve unpacked your boxes.
You can even get a little help from the weather to clean them. Whenever it rains, the downpours naturally wash away dust and debris that settle on the panels, giving your roof a free rinse while you spend your free time making family memories, decorating your space and getting stuck into your hobbies.
A lower carbon footprint
Making your household greener does not mean you have to completely change how you live. By producing electricity from daylight, which is a renewable source of energy, your solar panels can help reduce the carbon footprint of your home by providing some of the electricity you need without relying entirely on electricity generated from fossil fuels.
From powering your appliances and lighting to running your air source heat pump, the electricity generated by your panels can be used throughout your home, helping you make greater use of renewable energy every single day.
Better resale value
Even if you've just picked up the keys and can't imagine ever leaving your beautiful Gleeson home, it's a good idea to think about what could matter to buyers in the future. e. Energy efficiency is becoming an increasingly important consideration when choosing a home, with running costs, EPC ratings and the features that can help keep energy use down all playing a part in the decision.
With solar panels installed from day one, alongside the energy-efficient features built into a new Gleeson home, you’ll have a home that’s designed with modern living and lower energy use in mind. While no feature can guarantee a higher resale value, having energy-efficient features already in place could make your home an appealing option when the time comes to move on.
You could get something back from your excess energy
There will be times when your solar panels generate more electricity than your home needs, especially when the sun is shining for longer during the summer and you're not using much energy at home.
That means, instead of letting that extra electricity simply go unused, you could potentially export it back to the grid and receive money or credit in return. The amount you receive will depend on the tariff available to you and how much surplus electricity your panels generate, so you should always check what's available with your energy supplier when you move into your new home.
Looking for a new home with solar panels?
If solar panels are on your wish list for your next home, you’ll find them included in selected Gleeson homes, alongside other energy-efficient features designed to help keep your running costs down.
You can learn more about the benefits of our energy-efficient new homes here.
Solar panels are panels fitted to your roof and use energy from the sun to generate electricity for your home. They’re made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells, which convert natural light into electricity you can use around your home.
Yes, solar panels can still generate electricity on cloudy days, although they will usually produce less energy than they would in bright sunshine.
Most modern solar panels are designed to last for at least 25 years, so you can relax knowing that your roof will be generating electricity for decades to come.
Yes, solar panels can help reduce your energy bills by generating electricity for your home. How much you save will depend on factors such as your solar panel system, how much electricity you use and how much energy your panels generate.
