You could save and earn £572 a year[1]

With Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels you can generate your own electricity, meaning you could save and earn £572 a year.[1] Solar PV panels store energy from the sun and turn it into electricity. They’re easy to install and they don’t even need direct sunlight, just daylight. By generating your own electricity you could save on your energy bills. Plus with the Government’s Feed-in Tariff, you could be paid for every kilowatt hour (kWh) you generate. You can earn extra income for any electricity that you don’t use which can be fed into the National Grid.

The cost of installation and savings you could expect

Average annual earnings from the Feed-in Tariff[1]
 £411
Average annual earnings from the grid[1]
 £30
Average annual savings on your electricity bill[1]
 £131
Total annual earnings and savings[1] £572

 

We’ve based this example on how much you could earn by producing your own electricity using our solar PV panels (at 2.3 kilowatt peak) which costs around £9,999. The actual costs vary as renewable energy systems are tailored to your specific needs.

See how we calculated these figures

Average annual saving on your electricity bill

Generating your own electricity means you don't have to buy it from your supplier - you'd normally pay us 13.4p per kWh if we supplied your electricity.* The average customer will generate 1,955kWh of electricity per year so if you generated 50% of your own electricity each year you'd save:

£130.98 (977.5 kWh x 13.4p)

 

Average annual earnings from the Feed-in Tariff

With the Government's Feed-in Tariff you could be paid for the electricity you generate for at least the next 25 years. Current Government rates pay 21p for every kWh you generate and use. The average customer could generate 1,955 kWh of electricity per year, meaning a total income from electricity generated of:

£410.55 (1,955 kWh x 21p).

 

Average annual earnings from the National Grid

You'll also get an extra 3.1p for every kWh you generate but don't use which is fed into the National Grid. So for example, if you use 50% of the 1,955 kWh you generate, you can sell 50% (977.5 kWh) to the National Grid for an additional income of:

£30.30 (977.5 kWh x 3.1p)

 

Total annual earnings and savings:

£571.83 (£130.98 + £410.55 + £30.30)

25 year earnings and savings:

25 x £571.83 = £14,295.75

 

* Payments for Solar PV panels for the electricity you generate and use began in April 2010 as part of the Government's Feed-in Tariff. Current rate 21 p/kWh used onsite (and 3.1 p/kWh used for export). Rate applies only to installations fitted to or wired to existing building. Assumes our 2.3kWp British Gas PV System. 50/50% split between electricity used on-site and excess exported back to the grid on a typical export tariff. Unit price used in calculation representative of the average p/kWh charge, as derived from the annual bills at industry average consumption of 16,500 kWh for gas and 3,300 kWh for single rate electricity, paying by Monthly Direct Debit on our Standard Tariff prices as at 12th January 2012, averaged across all regions and including VAT. 50% on site consumption number sourced from the Feed-in tariffs (Specified Maximum Capacity and Functions) Order 2010. Correct as at 12th January 2012.

The benefits of installing solar PV panels with us:

  • Through the Government's Feed-in tariff you could earn money for up to 25 years.
  • They help reduce your CO2 emissions.
  • Sainsbury’s Energy work with trusted experts British Gas to install to a high quality and guarantee your solar system for 25 years.
  • Hassle free installation and no moving parts mean very little maintenance is needed.
  • We’ll provide you with a Sunny Beam Monitor so you can see your energy production and C02 saved.
  • Collect 10,000 Nectar points when you have solar PV panels installed by us.[4]

How solar PV works

A solar PV panel consists of cells in one or two layers made from a semi-conducting material like silicon. When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers, causing electricity to flow. The electricity flows through a cable and is collected at a central point usually located in your roof space. The electricity is then converted from a direct current (DC) to an alternating current (AC) and carries on into your home for you to use.

Is your home suitable?

We offer a wide range of different sized solar PV panels, our Energy Experts will advise you on the best ones for your home. Panels are ideally placed on an unshaded, south-facing roof. But as they don't rely on direct sunlight, they work even on cloudy days.

Read our 5 point checklist to see if your home is suitable

Two solar panels on a roof

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Two solar panels on a roof
A cluster of solar panels on a roof

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A cluster of solar panels on a roof
A row of houses with solar panels on their roofs

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A row of houses with solar panels on their roofs


Read our terms and conditions for solar PV

Ready to arrange an appointment or need more help?  Call 0800 077 3832[2]

Stop heat escaping through your roof

Loft insulation could save you up to £175 a year and takes just a few hours to install.[5]

 

Find out more about loft insulation

Dual fuel

Switch your gas and electricity

Choose an energy tariff to suit you and manage your account online- it’s easy to switch.

 

See our energy tariffs

[1] Calculated at 1,955 kWh x 21p –the average amount of energy generated plus 977.5 kWh x 3.1p – the amount of electricity fed into the National Grid. Payments for Solar PV panels for the electricity you generate and use began in April 2010 as part of the Government's Feed-in Tariff. Current rate 21 p/kWh used onsite (and 3.1 p/kWh used for export). Rate applies only to installations fitted to or wired to existing building. Assumes our 2.3kWp British Gas PV System. 50/50% split between electricity used on-site and excess exported back to the grid on a typical export tariff. Unit price used in calculation representative of the average p/kWh charge, as derived from the annual bills at industry average consumption of 16,500 kWh for gas and 3,300 kWh for single rate electricity, paying by Monthly Direct Debit on our Standard Tariff prices as at 12th January 2012, averaged across all regions and including VAT. 50% on site consumption number sourced from the Feed-in tariffs (Specified Maximum Capacity and Functions) Order 2010. Correct as at 12th January 2012.

[2] Your calls may be recorded and /or monitored for quality assurance and compliance purposes. Phone lines are open Monday to Friday between 8am and 8pm and on Saturdays from 8am to 6pm. We’re closed on Sundays and Bank holidays.

[3] We’ll be in touch within 48 hours.

[4] You need to be an existing Nectar account holder and register with Sainsbury's Energy to collect points. 10,000 points for each solar panel installation will be applied to your Nectar account 7 working days after completion of the installation. Offer may be amended or withdrawn at any time without notice and cannot be used in conjunction with any other Sainsbury's Energy offer. Terms and conditions apply. See sainsburysenergy.com/nectarterms for details.

[5] British Gas install in mainland GB only. Subject to availability and survey. Not all homes are suitable for loft and/or cavity wall insulation. Prices based on an average sized 3 bedroom semi-detached home. Prices may vary and exclude any scaffolding, vents or specialist equipment. Free insulation is subject to square meterage limitations, insulation beyond these limits is chargeable. Offer only applies where the thickness of existing insulation is less than 60mm. Offer excludes scaffolding and any specialist equipment. Customers will only be eligible for free measures where we can insulate a minimum of two thirds of the available loft space (when applied to the whole loft surface area) or available cavity wall space (when applied to the whole house). Applicants only eligible for measures recommended by appointed surveyor. Proof of age or receipt of benefits may be required Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Savings figure source www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Energy-saving-assumptions, October 2011. Actual savings depend on individual circumstances.