Solar panels have always had one problem: they make sense in theory, long before they feel urgent in practice. This is because the upfront cost is so significant. Potential energy bill savings from solar panels depend on things like the shape of your roof, where you live in the UK, your electricity use and the tariff you choose. And, unlike switching broadband providers or changing car insurance, installing solar panels is not something most homeowners can decide over a cup of tea and sort out by the end of the afternoon. But in the current climate, buying solar panels is becoming an increasingly popular option. Electricity bills remain high by historic standards, even after the latest fall in the energy price cap. Plus, the zero per cent VAT rate on domestic solar installations is due to end in March 2027. More households are adding solar panel storage batteries, EV chargers and smart tariffs into the equation.…