While solar panels generate clean energy, their initial upfront costs can be quite high, between £2,500 - £3,500 and £12,000 - £13,000, and depend on sunlight for optimal performance, meaning they’re less effective at night and in winter. Nevertheless, solar panels remain an excellent alternative to traditional polluting energy sources such as gas or oil. They enable homeowners to not only become increasingly energetically self-sufficient and reduce energy bills but also to become more environmentally friendly.