Something worth thinking about early in the transition to solar, is your energy provider. With solar panels, the decision about which provider you use becomes simpler in a way, because there are less options, but more complex in others, because you need to consider standing tariffs, usage charges, and also feedback tariffs.
A Feedback tariff is the amount the energy company pays you per kilowatt hour (kWh) for the excess energy your system generates.
For example, on a lovely sunny day in summer, even if you are home, it’s unlikely you will use all the solar energy you are generating. When this happens, your clever system diverts the excess “back to the grid” – the energy grid, that is, and your energy provider will apply the relevant credit for this power back to your bill.
This is how you balance your annual energy costs.
Rates are currently between 15p per kWh (British Gas) and 29.4p per kWh (Octopus Energy), but from time to time you might find special deals as well.
Comparison websites like SolarPanelPrices.co.uk are a great place to start, but please always check directly with the energy suppliers, rather than assuming the information is correct.