Installing solar panels and a home battery is one of the best ways to lower your energy bills and become more self-sufficient. But like any major home upgrade, getting the setup right from the start is key to maximising your savings.

These are the most common mistakes households make when it comes to installing solar panels and batteries - and how to avoid them.

Waiting Until Summer
It’s understandable that when the skies are grey, solar panels might not be top of mind - but did you know that they run on daylight, not heat, so they don’t need blazing sunshine to generate energy. That means you can start saving at any point in the year. Delaying the decision to install is just missing out on potential energy savings - the best time to install will always be now!

Getting Too Few Panels
If you can fit more panels on your roof, and it works for you financially, why not get them? The more panels you have, the more energy you can generate, reducing payback time. When installing panels, you will need to pay a fixed cost for installation and scaffolding, so make the most of this and install as many panels as you can!

Incorrect Battery Size
Picking the right battery size is crucial. A battery that is too big or too small can result in it wearing out faster or not providing you with the correct amount of storage.

Picking a battery that is too small for your household’s energy needs will mean that you are more reliant on the grid for your energy and may not make the most savings.

Installing a battery that is too large for your needs can end up costing you more. As well as being unnecessarily expensive, your battery actually should be cycling once a day to maintain its health. The best rule of thumb is to pick a battery that matches your consumption. For the average 3-bed property, a 5kWh battery is about right.

Managing Your System Manually
When it comes to receiving the most return from your green tech investment, managing your setup manually can be very time-consuming. Predicting your energy consumption, forecasting your solar production, tracking market prices… There can be a lot to manage! But with new AI-powered tools like Loop Optimise, this is all handled for you. Loop Optimise connects to your battery and intelligently works out the best time to import and export energy from the grid to maximise your savings.

Picking The Wrong Smart Tariff
Smart tariffs can make a big difference to your savings if you have solar panels, a home battery, a heat pump or an electric vehicle. They offer cheaper electricity during certain times of day, so shifting your usage, like charging your EV when rates are lowest, can help you save money.

But selecting the right smart tariff can be incredibly difficult to work out. With so many options out there, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Using a tool like Loop Optimise’s Tariff Recommender can take away the guesswork. It analyses your data and shows you which smart tariff could save you the most.

Believing Your Roof Isn’t Suitable
Many households put off their solar journey as they falsely believe their roof isn’t suitable. The best way to find out whether your roof is suitable is to have a survey carried out. You don’t need the ‘perfect’ roof to install solar - it’s about making the most of what you have. South-facing roofs will benefit most from solar, but don’t write off your north-facing roofs yet! Advances in panel technology mean that north, east, and west-facing panels can still generate a good amount of electricity. 

Not Looking For Grants
Many assume that they won’t be eligible for green tech grants, but it’s worth checking. Eligibility criteria will depend on the specific grant, but they are open to a wide range of households, including renters and those on certain benefits.

That being said, be wary of adverts claiming that you can receive free solar panels, as these could be scams. Always do your own research and check that your installers are MCS accredited.

Assuming The Up-Front Cost Is Too High
Solar used to mean a big upfront investment. Not anymore with subscription options, making solar more accessible than ever! With energy prices shifting all the time, generating your own energy isn’t just smart, it’s a way to take back control.

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