Heatwaves and rising energy costs spur unprecedented demand for solar panels

London-based Clean energy company, Egg has seen enquiries for solar panels up 830 per cent in the past four months, compared to the same period last year.

The company puts the increased interest down to the consistently sunny weather enjoyed across the UK during this summer’s heatwave; and trepidation around rising energy costs.

“We’re used to seeing spikes in interest for solar panels during sunny spells, but the level of enquiries we’ve received this year is unprecedented,” says Gareth Greppellini, B2B director of Egg. “There have been many weeks since the start of May when we’ve dealt with over ten times the volume of customers we had in the same period last year.”

Egg’s busiest week came at the end of May 2022, when news broke that energy regulator Ofgem had warned MPs that the energy price cap was expected to rise from £1,971 to £2,800 in October 2022. Over 12 per cent of new solar panel enquiries collected over 16 weeks were received by Egg in that one week alone.

Since then, estimates for the October price cap have been further revised, with Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley announcing most recently that the price cap would rise to £3,549.

“There’s a sizeable upfront cost for solar panels, but it’s crystal clear that energy prices are likely to stay high into 2024 and possibly beyond,” added Greppellini. “We’re hearing from customers that they’re looking to invest and start saving as soon as possible; and given the wait time for solar panels to be manufactured and delivered, they’re wise to start the process now.”

Along with solar panels and batteries, Egg also provides and installs EV charge points, meaning domestic customers with the suite of all three products can store solar power in a battery that is then used to charge their electric car.

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily