Latest news with #solarPanels
Wall Street Journal
10 hours ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Surging Silver Prices Prompt Americans to Empty Jewelry Boxes and Coin Jars
Gold gets all the glory, but silver prices have surged nearly as much this year, up 27% to the highest levels in more than a decade. As with gold, jittery investors are scooping up the precious metal, but silver prices are getting an extra jolt from strong industrial demand, especially from solar-panel makers.
Irish Times
12 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Homeowners can ‘save more than €3,500 a year' with energy-efficient technology
Homeowners using energy-efficient technologies such as solar panels, heat pumps and electric-vehicle home chargers can save more than €3,500 a year, a report says. As well as reporting big savings, people who have taken the most energy-efficient approach to their homes say they get additional benefits including enhanced levels of comfort, according to Electric Ireland's sustainability index. Despite the benefits, however, a significant portion of the population feel unable to invest in such technologies due to the upfront costs and a lack of clear guidance. A total of 13 per cent of those who took part in the survey said they had solar panels installed; 11 per cent owned heat pumps and 7 per cent had EV chargers. READ MORE Respondents said there were clear cost benefits to these new technologies. Householders generating energy through solar panels reported perceived savings averaging €91 a month on energy bills. Those with heat pumps said they saved an average of €77 monthly. EV owners reported average savings of €128 a month on fuel costs. The cumulative monthly savings for people with all three technologies comes in at €296 monthly or €3,552 over a year. While financial savings were listed as the leading benefits, some respondents also spoke of additional benefits: 60 per cent of heat pump owners said their homes were more comfortable as a result and 46 per cent said convenience was another benefit. Despite benefits of such technology, the Electric Ireland sustainability index shows that willingness to make the switch to more energy-efficient technologies remains low beyond the early adopters. For those who have yet to make any home energy-efficiency upgrades, few have active plans to do so. Just 22 per cent are considering solar panels with only 12 per cent considering heat pumps or EV chargers. The most commonly cited barrier is cost, with nearly 60 per cent saying the upfront cost was a key deterrent. 'What Electric Ireland's new sustainability index reveals is that the long-term benefits of more energy-efficient technologies are clear – but the upfront costs can be challenging' Electric Ireland's Noeline Gibbons said. She said the average cost of a solar PV system was €8,000 to €10,000 and when SEAI grants were included most households saw a return on investment within four to six years. 'We are acutely aware that many families and individuals want to start the energy transition, but struggle with upfront costs and a lack of information,' she said. Beyond cost concerns, others reported that the process of accessing grants felt like too much hassle or said they were unsure if the investment would pay off in the long term. Ms Gibbons said a lack of information and the ease of sticking to current habits were also noted by some as factors holding people back. Awareness of available grants was limited with less than 40 per cent familiar with government support schemes. 'Our sustainability index show that many consumers who are considering switching to more sustainable energy lifestyles simply don't know where to begin – and the range of options can feel complex and daunting so there is a clear need for simple accessible information,' Ms Gibbons said. The sustainability index was conducted by Red C Research between April 2nd and April 10th, with a nationally representative survey of 1,026 adults.
The Independent
19 hours ago
- The Independent
How long do solar panels last and can you recycle them?
If you are doing research on buying solar panels for your home, you will want to know how long they will last. Then you can work out how long you will get free electricity after they've paid for themselves. The good news is that they last a long time, typically around 30 years, according to UK fitter Glow Green. Panels typically come with a warranty of 25 years, meaning that you should expect at least this amount of use from them, assuming you follow the conditions of the warranty. What does the warranty for solar panels cover? The warranty for solar panels typically covers you against any manufacturing defects and major drops in performance. The first is rather obvious – if the panels stop working properly because of faults in the manufacturing, the panels will be fixed or replaced free of charge. The second part requires a bit of explaining. Solar panels degrade, albeit slowly, over the course of their lives. Even after 30 years the best solar panels will still push out 90 per cent of the power they generated when new. If their output is below this, you may get a repair or replacement. In short, most panels should still be generating 90 per cent of their advertised output after 30 years. How do I know if my solar panels have stopped working? A noticeable drop in output is your best clue that all is not well, and you will see that in higher bills and lower payments for the power you sell to the grid. It is unlikely that power output will drop to zero because of faulty panels unless something has fallen on them. If your output collapses, your inverter or another key part of the system may be at fault. What should I do with my solar panels after 30 years? Probably nothing. You are likely to still get a decent amount of power from them and, so long as they are safely secured to your roof, they don't need to be touched. That being said, the rate of improvement in solar panels is high, and after 30 years of development, you might find that far more power can be delivered for the same roof space and it may be cost-effective to scrap them and replace them with new models. Or, power could be a lot cheaper to buy from the grid and new panels might make little sense. It is hard to peer that far into the future, other than knowing that you will still need electric power. Either way, you will have had 30 years of use from them, if not longer. Solar panel efficiency has seen a dramatic rise since the technology's inception, improving from about 6% in the 1950s to over 22% for the best commercial panels in 2025, with laboratory cells exceeding 47% efficiency. This tenfold increase in efficiency has been a key driver in making solar energy a mainstream, cost-effective renewable power source. Can you recycle solar panels? Yes. Solar panels are covered under the EU's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE regulations), even since Brexit. WEEE regulations mandate the recycling of certain types of electronic goods in the UK at the end of their life. Much of a solar panel is glass and aluminium, which are readily recyclable. The silicon, plastic and other metals can also largely be recycled. In fact, the IEA reports that 80–95% of a solar panel's materials can be recovered and reused. However, recycled solar panels in the UK are unlikely to be turned into new panels because solar panels aren't currently manufactured here. Most are made in China. But the components can be made into other things like glass for cars. Should I insure my panels? Yes. The warranty covers you if the solar panels are defective or don't deliver the power output you have been promised, but if a tree falls on them the manufacturer will not cover their replacement. Most home insurance policies now cover solar panels, so make sure to check that yours does too, and to tell your home insurer that you have them.
The Independent
a day ago
- General
- The Independent
How to clean solar panels
If you've sprung your hard-earned cash for the best solar panels for your home and want to get the optimal performance from them, it helps to know how to clean solar panels safely and effectively. Mother Nature and Britain's rainy weather will take care of things most of the time, but every once in a while it is worth giving your panels a once-over. You probably don't need telling why – anything which gets between the panels and the sun, be it clouds, trees causing shade, leaves or other litter, will reduce the power you get from them. This means a slower return on the outlay for them. How often do I need to clean solar panels? Many factors determine the frequency of cleaning solar panels. If there are no nearby pigeons to foul your array, if the panels are at an angle and if it rains regularly, then you may not need to clean them very often. But if pollen, dust, bird droppings and dry spells plague them, a regular wash will be needed. Panels at a low angle will also accumulate leaves and other detritus and need a rinse. If you notice bird droppings on your solar panels, you will want to clean this as soon as possible. Bird droppings are acidic and can corrode the surface of your solar panels if left too long. As a general rule, you should aim to wash your solar panels with a soft rag and soapy water every six months. If you can stick to this schedule, it makes it easier to keep them clean through the intervening months, where a simple run of the hose will shake loose any dirt or debris. If your solar panels are roof-mounted, a hose-down is probably the safest and easiest way to clean your array, since with decent water pressure you will not need to go anywhere near them. Before you do anything, though, check the documentation that came with your panels for cleaning guidelines. The coatings on panels may differ, and may mean that using particular cleaning agents is a bad idea. Soap and water should be fine, however. Do I need a professional to clean my solar panels? Probably not. But if you want to, and they are especially dirty, then there are companies that will do that, performing a similar job to window cleaners and using similar long-arm tools to clean them with soapy water. If you have a particularly high roof and are not confident on ladders, this could be a good option. Prices will vary depending on where you are in the country, so get a few quotes. According to the Energy Saving Trust, prices can range from £20 to £200 depending on array size and location. How do I clean my solar panels? If you want to learn how to clean solar panels properly, start by switching system off. Then, use this opportunity to have a general check their condition, looking out for any damage to cables or other electrical contacts. If you see any, fix this before exposing electrical components to water. If you're ready to proceed, follow these simple steps: Switch off your system. Before doing anything else, turn off your solar panel system according to the manufacturer's instructions. This ensures safety while cleaning. Inspect the system. Take a few minutes to check the panels, cables, and any visible connectors. If you spot damage or exposed wiring, don't proceed—call a professional instead. Choose the right tools. Using a long-handled brush with soft bristles is best for avoiding damage to the cells in your solar panels. Prepare your cleaning solution. Use mild soap mixed with water. Avoid washing-up liquid, as it can leave a residue on the panels. Gently scrub the panels. Use the brush to remove any dust, dirt, bird droppings, or pollen. Take care not to apply too much pressure. Rinse thoroughly. Use a garden hose with moderate pressure to rinse the panels clean. Avoid using a pressure washer, as it could damage the cells. Dry with care. Use a soft cloth, squeegee, or a solar panel wiper to remove excess water and prevent water spots. Repeat as needed. Depending on your environment, repeat this process every few months or when performance noticeably drops. This is one of the safest and most effective methods when learning how to clean solar panels at home. Things to avoid when cleaning your solar panels Use common sense – don't stand on the panels, don't stand on a pitched roof that's not designed to take your weight, and don't use a power washer, as this could damage your panels. These tips, while simple, will go a long way to help you avoid damage and stay safe as you figure out how to clean solar panels effectively without professional help. What else should I be doing for maintenance? As well as having an annual clean and inspection for damage, both of which you can do yourself, it is worth having a professional look at your panels every five years or so to catch any issues before they become more expensive. This could include: These checks could form part of your warranty, so make sure to have a look at that to see how often your system needs to be serviced. If you found this helpful, don't miss our guide, Are solar panels worth it?
BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Solar on roofs not farms, says Reform UK in North Northamptonshire
The leader of a Reform UK-controlled council said solar panels should be installed on warehouses rather than Griffiths, who leads North Northamptonshire Council, said putting the panels on good-quality fields was "ridiculous".He has been setting out his priorities for the authority which now has 40 Reform UK councillors after they ousted the Conservatives in May's also thinks climate change targets are "holding our country back". Griffiths is no stranger to the role of leader, having been at the helm of Conservative-controlled Wellingborough Borough Council before it was abolished in jumped ship from the Tories to Reform UK, he now commands a group with a majority of 12 to the BBC about his priorities, he said an improvement programme waas under way in the council's planning said: "I'm determined that we are going to make some progress in that area. It isn't about nimbyism - it's about wanting the very best for our area." One planning issue that he said he was "keen to address" was solar said: "Isn't it interesting that all of these big high-density warehouse developments are coming forward with no solar panels on the roofs?"It's ridiculous when we're putting solar in good-quality farmland."It's something that the developers probably don't want to do because it means that they've got to strengthen roofs, etcetera, but doesn't it make sense?"He added the issue had come up regularly on the doorstep during campaigning. Despite being a member of a party that is openly sceptical about the causes of climate change, Griffith insists: "I don't deny climate change, but I think our net zero targets are the things that are really holding our country back, so that's what my group are very, very concerned party's much-publicised Doge-style efficiency review is also on the agenda in North said it "will include the possibility of bringing in party experts" to scrutinise expenditure and systems at the added: "We're not going to pay a penny [for the Doge review] so that's why our officers are fully in support of this." Helen Harrison, the leader of the Conservative opposition on the council, said: "We will support them when their proposals are in the interests of the people of North Northamptonshire and will constructively challenge them when we believe they are not."If the new administration continues to prioritise cost-effective services and our policy of prioritising road repairs, we will support it. "We will, of course, look at each proposal on its merits." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
