https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/ Plain-English articles on UK solar output, costs, batteries, tariffs and planning from the Solar Yield editorial team. en-gb Wed, 21 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/north-facing-solar-panels/ https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/north-facing-solar-panels/ North facing solar panels in the UK make roughly 45% less than south facing ones at a typical 35 degree pitch. See the PVGIS figures and what to try first. Wed, 21 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Output https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/how-many-solar-panels-do-i-need/ https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/how-many-solar-panels-do-i-need/ Most UK homes fit 2kWp to 6kWp of solar. See how your yearly electricity use, roof space and PVGIS output turn into a sensible system size and its cost. Wed, 14 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Planning https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/best-tilt-angle-for-solar-panels-uk/ https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/best-tilt-angle-for-solar-panels-uk/ PVGIS puts the best tilt for UK solar panels at about 39 to 43 degrees, but 30 to 45 degrees barely changes output. See the figures by angle and by city. Sat, 10 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Output https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/east-west-solar-panels/ https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/east-west-solar-panels/ East or west facing solar panels in the UK make roughly 15% to 20% less than south facing ones. See PVGIS figures, the kWh gap and when it still pays. Sat, 10 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Output https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/how-much-electricity-does-a-4kw-solar-system-generate/ https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/how-much-electricity-does-a-4kw-solar-system-generate/ A 4kWp UK solar system makes roughly 3,400 to 4,600 kWh a year, depending on where you live. See PVGIS figures for three cities and what that is worth. Sat, 10 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Output https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/how-to-check-a-solar-quote/ https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/how-to-check-a-solar-quote/ Learn how to compare solar quotes in the UK. Check the MCS output estimate, cost per kW, installer certification and grid paperwork before you sign anything. Sat, 10 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Installation https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/is-a-solar-battery-worth-it/ https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/is-a-solar-battery-worth-it/ A solar battery costs about £5,000 to £8,000 and saves the gap between import and export rates. Here is the plain arithmetic and when a battery may pay back. Sat, 10 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Batteries https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/kwh-per-kwp-explained/ https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/kwh-per-kwp-explained/ kWh per kWp tells you how much electricity each kilowatt of panels makes in a year. See UK city figures from PVGIS and how to use them to check any quote. Sat, 10 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Output https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/smart-export-guarantee-explained/ https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/smart-export-guarantee-explained/ The Smart Export Guarantee pays you for solar power you send to the grid. See who qualifies, what tariffs pay today and why self-use is still worth more. Sat, 10 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Tariffs https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/solar-panel-degradation/ https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/solar-panel-degradation/ Solar panels lose a little output every year. A major NREL review found a median of 0.5% a year. See what that means for UK systems, warranties and payback. Sat, 10 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Output https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/solar-panel-output-in-winter/ https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/solar-panel-output-in-winter/ In December a 4kWp UK system makes roughly 110 to 140 kWh, about 3% of its annual total. See the PVGIS winter figures for Manchester, Leeds and Norwich. Sat, 10 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Output https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/solar-panel-payback-period/ https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/solar-panel-payback-period/ Work out your own solar panel payback period in the UK. Use installed cost, PVGIS output, the price cap and export rates, with worked examples for three cities. Sat, 10 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Costs https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/solar-panel-shading-and-optimisers/ https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/solar-panel-shading-and-optimisers/ Shade from a chimney, tree or neighbour can cut solar output more than panel choice. See how installers score shade, what optimisers do and what to ask for. Sat, 10 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Installation https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/solar-panels-planning-permission/ https://solaryield.co.uk/blog/solar-panels-planning-permission/ Most UK roof solar needs no planning permission, but rules differ in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. See the limits, exceptions and grid steps. Sat, 10 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Planning