Are Solar Panels Worth It? This Customer Pays Just £8 Per Month for Energy
Are solar panels worth the investment? It's one of the most common questions homeowners ask when considering renewable energy. With installation costs typically ranging from £5,000 to £12,000, many wonder: will solar panels actually pay for themselves? How long is the payback period? Do solar panels really save you money in the long run?
Today, we're sharing the remarkable story of a UK homeowner who installed solar panels in April 2025. Nearly a year later, the results speak volumes about whether solar panels are worth it.
"Since installing the panels we've saved a fortune. We are currently paying £8.00 per month since last April for our gas and electricity. We are still in credit of nearly £200.00 after some of the coldest months."
— UK Solar Customer, January 2026
£8 Per Month Energy Bills: How Solar Panels Transformed This Household's Costs
Let's break down the numbers. This homeowner has been paying just £8 per month for combined gas and electricity since April 2025—that's for the last 8 months through autumn and winter, traditionally the most expensive time for energy bills in the UK.
Even more impressive? After paying just £64 total over 8 months (8 × £8), they're still £180 in credit with their energy supplier.
Compare that to the average UK household spending £150-£200 per month on energy bills, and you can see why this homeowner says they've "saved a fortune."
The Complete Financial Picture: Energy Costs vs Solar Earnings
This customer provided detailed calculations showing exactly how their solar panels are performing financially. Here's the complete breakdown:
| Category | Amount | | :---- | :---- | | Electricity Used (from grid) | £486.29 | | Gas Used | £306.45 | | Total Energy Consumed | £792.74 | | Solar Energy Exported (Octopus @ 15p/unit) | £479.34 | | Standing Charges (77p/day × 365 days) | £280.00 | | Net Cost After Solar Earnings | £593.40 | | Actual Amount Paid (Direct Debits) | £256.00 | | Current Account Credit Balance | £180.00 |
The math is compelling: £792.74 in total energy costs, offset by £479.34 in solar export earnings, plus £280 in unavoidable standing charges. Net cost? £593.40 for the year. But they've only paid £256, leaving them with £180 in credit.
How Solar Panel Export Payments Work: Earning £479 Per Year
One of the often-overlooked benefits of solar panels is the ability to earn money from excess energy you generate. This customer is with Octopus Energy, which pays 15p per unit (kWh) for exported solar energy through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
Over the course of the year, their solar panels generated £479.34 in export payments. That's approximately 3,196 kWh of excess solar energy sent back to the grid—energy they generated but didn't need, which offset their electricity and gas costs.
This export income is a key factor in why solar panels are worth it for many homeowners. It's not just about reducing what you pay—it's also about earning money from what you generate.
The Hidden Cost: Why Standing Charges Still Apply with Solar Panels
An important point this customer highlighted: daily standing charges still apply even with solar panels. At approximately 77p per day, that's £280 per year just to remain connected to the energy grid.
"I forgot to include the daily standing charges for the electric and gas supply. This works out at today's rate of around 77p per day which equates to £280 per year. Panels make sense even with the initial cost."
These standing charges are unavoidable—you pay them whether you use energy or not. However, even with this fixed cost, solar panels still deliver massive savings compared to traditional energy bills.
Solar Panel Payback Period: Is the Initial Cost Worth It?
Let's address the elephant in the room: the upfront cost. This customer acknowledges it directly:
"I would certainly recommend solar panels to anyone. The initial cost can be off putting but long term we're quids in."
To understand the payback period, let's compare their solar-powered costs against typical UK energy bills:
| Scenario | Annual Cost | | :---- | :---- | | Average UK Household (without solar) | £2,000 | | This Customer (with solar panels) | £593.40 | | Annual Savings | £1,406.60 |
With annual savings of approximately £1,400, a typical solar installation costing £8,000 would pay for itself in roughly 5-6 years. After that, it's pure savings for the remaining 20+ year lifespan of the panels.
Over 25 years, that's over £35,000 in total savings.
Do Solar Panels Work in Winter? Real-World Performance Data
One common concern about solar panels is winter performance. This customer's experience provides valuable insight—they maintained their £8 monthly payments and £180 credit balance through "some of the coldest months."
While solar generation is lower in winter months, this real-world case demonstrates that well-designed solar systems continue to deliver substantial savings year-round. The combination of reduced grid electricity usage and export payments still results in dramatically lower bills than traditional energy supply.
Summer months will see even better performance, with longer daylight hours and stronger solar generation, further increasing the annual savings.
"I'm certain that we made the right choice about the panels and would certainly recommend others to do so."
So, Are Solar Panels Worth It? The Verdict
Based on this customer's experience, the answer is a resounding yes. Here's what makes solar panels worth the investment:
- Dramatic cost reduction: From typical bills of £150-200/month down to just £8/month
- Export earnings: £479.34 per year earned from excess solar generation
- Account credit: £180 in credit after covering the coldest months of the year
- Fast payback: 5-6 year payback period with 25+ year system lifespan
- Long-term value: Over £35,000 in total savings over the system's lifetime
- Year-round performance: Effective savings even through winter months
While the initial cost may seem daunting, this customer's experience shows that solar panels can transform your energy costs. The combination of dramatically reduced bills, export income, and long-term savings makes solar panels a financially sound investment for many UK homeowners.
If you're considering solar panels and wondering whether they're worth it, these real-world results demonstrate the substantial financial benefits that await. As this satisfied customer puts it: "Long term we're quids in."
Key Takeaways
- Monthly energy bills: £8 (down from typical £150-200)
- Annual energy costs: £593.40 (vs. £2,000 average)
- Solar export earnings: £479.34 per year
- Current account credit: £180
- Annual savings: £1,406.60 (70% reduction)
- Estimated payback: 5-6 years
- 25-year savings projection: £35,000+
Data source: Real customer financial data, April 2025 - January 2026 Smart Export Guarantee rate: 15p per kWh (Octopus Energy)
