The energy price gap has been predicted to increase by 13 percent (by £212) from 1stJuly, taking the annual bill for an average home from £1,641 to £1,853. This increase is due largely to rocketing wholesale energy prices amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Increased energy bills are likely to have an impact long past July. Energy rates are expected to remain higher through the autumn and winter, when households use much more energy for heating.

Two-fifths of households (38 percent) say reducing electricity bills is their main motivation for installing home energy generation like solar panels, while three in 10 (29 percent) want more control over rising energy costs.

Nearly 1.7 million households have already installed solar panels on their roof to bring down their energy bill, with 19,000 being added every month. UK homes have 6.6 GW of power installed, which is enough to run more than two million 3kW tumble dryers simultaneously.

One in three households (35 percent) are put off installing solar panels due to the upfront cost, while a quarter (23 percent) don’t know how long it would take to pay back, and one in nine (12 percent) don’t know where to find a reliable quote.

Consumers estimate that a typical installation might cost just under £9,000, but live data shows that an eight-panel system could be around half that at £4,650, or £7,875 with battery storage included.

Based on real customer quotes generated via Uswitch, homeowners seeking to install solar panels have seen savings of around £877 a year, with their quoted upfront costs paid back within nine to 10 years.

Monthly payment plans are also an option for households that are hesitant to take the plunge due to the upfront cost. Based on live quotes for a typical eight-panel setup with a battery, households could pay as little as £78 per month across a 15-year contract. Homeowners would also see savings on their electricity bills straight away, potentially wiping out the monthly payment with electricity savings, depending on usage.

Households can now answer a few quick questions about their home and energy use and get personalised quotes from certified solar installers at Uswitch.com. Then, they can book a free online consultation with an installer, at a time that works for them, to ask any questions and get a final design. It’s a simple way for homeowners to take control of their energy bills and future-proof their home.

“Conflict in the Middle East is causing chaos with energy bills, and more and more people are looking for ways to save on energy” said Uswitch energy expert Natalie Mathie. “Millions of households have already taken the plunge and installed solar panels, and they’re reaping the rewards as energy prices increase. A solar panel system can cut your electricity bills. And with the Smart Export Guarantee, you can get paid for any surplus energy your panels send back to the grid.”

For additional information:

Uswitch.com