Solar Panels vs No Solar — do they actually make sense for your home?
Solar panels are often described as an obvious upgrade — but in practice, they don’t make sense for everyone.
This page compares installing solar panels with doing nothing, focusing on costs, savings, suitability, and common reasons people decide not to go ahead.
No quotes. No signup. Just the trade-offs.
The short answer
Solar panels are usually worth considering if:
you own your home
your roof gets reasonable sunlight
you use electricity during the day
you plan to stay in the property long-term
Solar panels are often not worth it if:
upfront cost is a major concern
your roof isn’t suitable
you use very little electricity
you may move in the near future
Many households fall somewhere in between.
Solar panels vs no solar — side by side
| Category | Solar Panels | No Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Medium–high (£4,000–£9,000+) | None |
| Running costs | Lower electricity bills | Unchanged |
| Typical savings | Varies by usage & sunlight | None |
| Installation time | 1–2 days | None |
| Disruption | Low | None |
| Maintenance | Minimal | None |
| Roof suitability | Required | Not relevant |
| Works best when | Daytime electricity use is high | Usage is low or irregular |
| Long-term outlook | Improving | Unchanged |
| Carbon impact | Lower | Higher |
Savings vary significantly depending on how electricity is used.
Costs, savings, and payback (what really matters)
Solar panels reduce the amount of electricity you need to buy from the grid.
Savings depend on:
how much electricity you use
when you use it (day vs night)
roof direction and shading
electricity prices
Because of this, payback times are best understood as ranges, not guarantees.
Adding batteries can increase self-use but also increases upfront cost.
What installation is actually like
With solar panels
Installation usually takes one or two days
Scaffolding is required temporarily
Little disruption inside the home
Systems are largely “fit and forget”
With no solar
No installation or disruption
No upfront cost
No change to energy bills
For many people, simplicity is the deciding factor.
Why many households decide not to install solar
Common reasons include:
upfront cost feels too high
uncertainty about savings
roof suitability concerns
plans to move home
preference to wait
Choosing not to install can be a reasonable decision.
So is solar “worth it”?
There isn’t a single answer.
Solar panels tend to make sense when the home and usage fit
They make less sense when savings are small or uncertain
Understanding those conditions is more useful than chasing an average figure.