If you are thinking about installing solar this year, you are probably asking yourself a lot of questions.
Will it be worth it?
Is my house suitable?
Am I doing this at the right time?
Before you look at quotes, panels, or prices, there are five important questions every homeowner should ask first.
Getting clear on these will save you time, money, and frustration, and help you avoid the most common mistakes people make when choosing solar.
Question 1, Why Do I Want Solar?
This sounds simple, but it matters more than people realise.
Are you mainly looking to,
- Reduce energy bills
- Protect against future price rises
- Use more of your own electricity
- Add a battery later
- Improve the long-term value of your home
- Reduce reliance on the grid
There is no single right reason, but your reason should shape the system design.
Solar designed for bill reduction looks different to solar designed for battery use or future upgrades. If this is not discussed early, systems often underperform.
Question 2, How and When Do We Actually Use Electricity?
This is one of the most important questions, and one of the most overlooked.
Think about,
- Are people home during the day?
- Is most electricity used in the evening?
- Do you work from home?
- Do you run appliances overnight?
- Are you planning to add an EV or heat pump?
Solar works best when it matches real usage patterns, not assumptions.
This is also what determines whether a battery makes sense, and what size it should be.
Question 3, Is My Roof Actually Suitable?
Most homes are suitable for solar, but suitability is about more than just facing south.
Things that matter include,
- Roof orientation and pitch
- Shading from trees or nearby buildings
- Roof condition
- Roof material, such as slate, tile, or stone
- Available space
A good installer will assess this properly, not just glance at satellite images.
If your roof is older or non-standard, that does not mean solar is off the table, it just means it needs to be handled with care.
Question 4, Am I Thinking Short Term or Long Term?
Solar is not a short-term decision.
Ask yourself,
- How long do I plan to stay in this home?
- Am I likely to add a battery later?
- Could I add an EV or heat pump in the future?
- Do I want a system that can be upgraded?
In many cases, planning for the future does not mean spending more now. It means choosing the right inverter, layout, and wiring so upgrades are easy later.
Short-term thinking is one of the biggest reasons people feel disappointed with solar.
Question 5, Do I Understand the Real Savings?
This is where honesty matters.
Solar savings in 2026 come mainly from,
- Using your own electricity
- Reducing grid imports
- Storing energy with a battery
- Avoiding future price rises
Export payments help, but they are no longer the main driver.
If someone promises,
- “You will never pay an energy bill again”
- “This pays back in a couple of years”
- “Everyone saves the same amount”
That is a warning sign.
Real savings are personal, and a good installer will explain them clearly.
The Question Most People Forget to Ask
“Is this system designed for my home, or just sold to me?”
Solar works best when,
- It is explained clearly
- The design matches how you live
- Expectations are realistic
- You understand how to use it
That matters more than panel brand or headline price.
So, Should You Go Solar This Year?
If you are thinking about solar this year, start with the questions above before you start comparing quotes.
Solar can be a brilliant investment, but only when it is designed properly, with the right expectations from the start.
The best decisions come from understanding, not pressure.
If you want help answering these questions for your own home, with honest advice and no sales pressure. Simply fill out the form below or give us a call on 01422 768113.