Living on a fixed income left retiree Barbara Clarke looking for relief from energy costs.
She told The Independent she found it by installing rooftop solar panels with a home battery.
Here's what to know
For Clarke, from Norfolk in England, the upgrade turned a recurring source of budget pressure into something more manageable. Before the system went in, she said she was unsure about the equipment, the installation itself, and the idea of getting a smart meter. Afterward, she said the setup was simple to manage, and the savings showed up quickly.
"With all the nice bright days and sunshine, it's been an absolute godsend to me to help me with my bills," Clarke told The Independent. "I'm actually in credit for a change!"
In fact, going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy, especially when homeowners compare options before committing. EnergySage's free tools allow you to get quick solar installation estimates and compare quotes for free.
As for Clarke's setup, it includes 14 solar panels on her bungalow roof and a battery mounted on an outside wall. She told The Independent that the work was less disruptive than she had expected; the installation took two-and-a-half days, even though the installation team had to put in a new earth cable.
More background
Clarke's solar panel setup generates electricity during the day. Meanwhile, the battery — which has been crucial during the winter months, Clarke said — stores excess power for later use, helping reduce how much energy she needs to buy from the grid.
In her case, her son-in-law set up the Outgoing Octopus smart tariff through Octopus Energy, which automatically manages when electricity is bought from and sold back to the grid.
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Another benefit of wider solar use in communities is improved air quality, because it helps to reduce demand for electricity generated from dirtier fuels.
What can be done?
For homeowners interested in similar savings, comparing offers is a smart first step. EnergySage's free services can make that process easier, and with EnergySage's help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations.
Meanwhile, EnergySage's solar map shows the average cost of a home solar panel system on a state-by-state level, along with details on solar panel incentives in each state. Together, those resources can help people get the best price for rooftop solar panels.
Adding battery storage to a solar setup is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and even go off-grid.
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Homeowners curious about storage can explore EnergySage for free information about home battery options, including competitive installation estimates.
As Clarke said of solar to The Independent: "I would say absolutely go for it. Especially for somebody that's on a pension, trying to save money. You save so much through the summer, I can't fault it. I wish I'd had it done sooner."
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