The UK government announced that it would do more to generate renewable energy within the country. It committed to double onshore wind, triple solar power and quadruple offshore wind by 2030. It also removed the ban on onshore wind farms. Sounds good right?
Well, while this definitely is positive news, it has to be tempered by the fact that the UK is increasingly reliant on energy imports from other countries – this includes renewable energy as well as fossil fuels. This dependency only looks to increase further in the future, and this reliance opens up the average Briton to fluctuations in energy pricing and availability.
Why More UK Households Are Taking Control of Their Energy
Rising energy costs, energy uncertainty and a general lack of control caused by issues such as those described above are all big reasons why UK households are doing more to take control of their energy.
More than 1.5 million UK homes now have solar panels and over 40% of new-builds come with panels already fitted. There are also schemes and grants available such as the Warm Homes Plan, which provides funding for solar installations.
Combinations of solar panels and solar batteries are increasingly popular too to store daytime solar energy for use later.
Less common ways that people are harnessing renewable energy include small-scale wind turbines, solar water heating systems and biomass heating systems.
And there are several benefits to being proactive and generating your own energy:
- It reduces your carbon footprint and benefits the environment.
- It insulates you against rising energy costs.
- It provides backup power when there are outages.
- It increases your property value.
- Constant tech and hardware development means generating your own energy is getting cheaper all the time.
So, What Is Energy Independence — and Is It Realistic?
Energy independence is a term you may hear in politics and in that sense it’s usually used to mean a country that’s a net exporter of energy (as mentioned, definitely not the UK any time soon!). However, it can also be used to mean a country that’s able to meet its own energy needs within its borders (which isn’t really feasible without withdrawing from the global energy market).
So, what does energy independence mean on a personal level?
Personal energy independence – sometimes known as off-grid energy independence – means you (as a homeowner) can generate all the energy you need without any reliance on the grid. If we’re honest, achieving full off-grid is rare, but reducing your grid dependence and gaining the other benefits mentioned above is very achievable and evidently something that many Brits think is worth pursuing.
What a More Independent Home Energy Setup Looks Like
Taking more control over your energy enables you to create a more independent, future-ready home. But what does this home look like?
As we’ve said, solar power is a very popular choice and a really effective way to generate sustainable energy. So, your more independent home is fitted with an array of solar panels, most likely on the roof, but potentially on the ground instead, or as well – the more energy you generate, the more independence you gain, and the shorter your installation payback period.
By harnessing battery storage as well you can store excess energy generated during the daytime to be used at night or when necessary during power outages. This flexibility means you don’t need to worry about when you do energy-intensive activities like running the washing machine or dishwasher, or charging electric cars.
Your less-reliant home also benefits from smart technology. Here we’re talking about things like smart meters, app-controlled systems and usage optimisers, which give you even more insight into, and control over, your energy use.
How You Can Get Started (Without the Guesswork)
So, how can you make your home more energy-independent? To save you the guesswork, here’s what we’d recommend:
Check if your home is suitable for solar power
The vast majority of UK homes are suitable for solar, but of course there are exceptions. Solar panels may not be the best choice for you if you use very little electricity, your roof is heavily shaded most of the day, or you have a thatched roof (or perhaps very old slate). A solar installer will always assess your roof as well as your energy consumption before doing any work anyway, and you should be asked suitability questions when you first make an enquiry.
Consider the setup you need
At this stage you need to consider whether you want to invest in solar panels alone, solar panels and battery storage, or solar panels, battery storage and smart tech. Again, this is something you should discuss with an installer.
Get a quote and guidance from a trusted installer
Once you have a decent idea of the setup you need it’s time to get a quote. A trusted installer will provide you with a free, no-obligation quote and won’t pressure you to make a decision. When considering suppliers make sure to check reviews, testimonials and case studies too.
Install and start saving
This final stage is pretty simple. Just sit back and let your trusted installer do the legwork, with minimal disruption. At MD Govier this includes everything from bespoke system design and installation to paperwork and aftercare. You can learn more about how solar panels are installed here.
Savings, Benefits, and What to Expect in 2025
We’ve written previously about whether solar panels are worth it and the short answer is yes, for most people they definitely are. The average UK system costs £6,100 and households generally make this money back in savings within a decade – though bigger systems can reduce this period significantly.
Using solar power to boost your energy independence has other benefits too:
- Higher property value: Many people are more attracted to a home when it has the ability to generate renewable energy.
- Lower bills: You also benefit from lower energy bills for the lifespan of your solar panels (25-30 years).
- Carbon reduction: Generating sustainable electricity obviously has a real environmental benefit. A standard solar system saves one ton of CO2 every year.
- Financial stability: As well as lowering your bills, generating your own power gives you a much clearer idea of energy costs for years to come, protecting you from market volatility.
Want to Take the First Step?
Are you interested in being more energy-independent and looking for a local provider you can trust? We’d love to help.
Here at MD Govier we’ve been helping households with electrical engineering projects since 2011 and customer satisfaction is our absolute priority. If you’d like to learn more about gaining more energy independence we’d be happy to offer some friendly, expert advice.
Feel free to request a quote, drop us an email, or call 01908 109444 for a no-pressure chat.