Spirit Energy

Our Renewable Energy Blogs

We have three blogs at Spirit, covering renewable energy from a homeowner, commercial and contractor perspective. Keep up-to-date with all the latest developments in solar PV, battery storage and EV charging.

Recent posts

What Happens if it Rains on Solar Panels?

Posted by Charlie McGibbon on 28 Nov 2023

So, after an extended summer, the rain and snow are upon us. But how do solar panels cope in rainy weather? Can water ingress cause problems? And what about snow or hail?

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Can I Install Solar on a Tenanted Property?

Posted by Ian Charles on 18 Nov 2023

“I’m a landlord with a tenant – I can’t install solar!”


“I’m a tenant with a landlord - I can’t install solar either!”

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The Best Solar Export Tariffs in Autumn 2023

Posted by Charlie McGibbon on 03 Nov 2023

It's been a while since we updated our readership on the full range of export tariffs available on market. Here at Spirit we work closely with a variety of energy companies to help you get the best rates for your solar PV system. With that in mind here is an overview of the state of the market for getting you the best value for excess energy. 

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High Power Solar Panels

Posted by George Riley on 18 May 2022

In the space of just a few years, the average panel we install on domestic projects has shot up from around 315W to at least 375W, with more and more residential modules breaking the 400W barrier.

This is down to a few factors, such as the widespread adoption of new, more efficient technologies, bigger cells and bigger modules:

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Solar Panel Grants for Businesses of up to £5,000

Posted by George Riley on 21 Apr 2022

In these uncertain times, there’s a renewed focus on jettisoning expensive fossil fuels and strengthening the UK’s energy independence. By investing in the right technology, companies can support this trend and reduce their energy bills.

Low Carbon Workspaces wants to aid businesses in this transition and is offering grants of up to £5,000 to invest in carbon-saving upgrades. This could be a grant for solar panels, battery storage, insulation or lighting.

Grants are available for SMEs based in Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire, ranging from £1,000 - £5,000 to cover up to a third of the cost of energy improvements. The scheme is supported by the European Regional Development Fund.

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Tier 1 Solar Panels: Are They Worth It?

Posted by George Riley on 07 Apr 2022

When researching solar PV, you may have come across the phrase ‘tier 1 solar panels’. It’s used as a selling point by some manufacturers and installers to demonstrate the reliability of their products. But is that really the case?

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New Build Solar Panels: Tips for Installing PV on New Houses

Posted by George Riley on 10 Mar 2022

Why aren’t new houses built with solar panels? It’s a common question whenever we chat to people about PV. And we share the frustration - solar panels can be more cost effective and visually appealing when built in from the outset, not to mention cutting future owners’ bills from the moment they move in.

So let’s try to uncover why new build solar panels aren’t standard, along with the reasons why they ought to be and best practices for doing so.

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Workplace Charging Scheme Changes Coming in 2022

Posted by George Riley on 10 Nov 2021

As the 2030 deadline for buying new combustion engine vehicles looms, electric car sales are beginning to ramp up. But the greatest changes are happening in commercial fleets - in 2020, businesses bought twice as many EVs as private individuals.

This may in part be due to the many incentives for companies to go electric, such as tax breaks for company cars. There is also the long-running grant scheme for installing chargepoints, which is due for a shakeup early next year...

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Solar Panel Business Rates and Super-deduction Tax Savings

Posted by George Riley on 23 Sep 2021

Times are tough on businesses right now, with a triple whammy of economic uncertainty due to Brexit, Covid and soaring energy prices. But amid the chaos are some silver linings that could mean now is the perfect time to invest in solar for your company and cut down on energy costs. Low interest rates and the government’s super-deduction can save you a lot of money on solar PV purchases, which normally pay back in 6-10 years and can also help your company reach net zero targets.

We’ll run you through the benefits of buying solar panels in the present climate, as well as highlighting the potential issues you should be aware of from the beginning, such as solar panel business rates and planning permission.

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