The average combined savings and income made from households installing solar photovoltaic (PV) panels has increased by nearly £100, according to the Energy Saving Trust (EST).
Previous data indicated that the average combined savings and income for households installing solar PV panels was around £540 per year. However, the latest EST figures show this has increased to £635.

The EST believes the main reason for the increase in income and savings is because the average size of the solar PV installations has increased even though the Feed-in Tariff rate has fallen.

EST renewables expert Ian Cuthbert said: 'The average size of solar PV installations has increased from 3kWp to 3.5kWP, which basically means households are generating more electricity and therefore more savings and Feed-in Tariff income. It is clear that UK households are increasingly looking to get the maximum yield for their roof to maximise the benefits of the solar installation.'

The updated solar figures have been published alongside new survey findings from the EST which shows a third of people in the UK have been approached with solar panels in the past year but only 4 per cent chose to purchase them.

Mr Cuthbert said: 'We hope the latest data and figures will provide householders, whose homes are appropriate for solar panels, with the reassurance that they will be making significant savings and income as a result of the installation.

'These savings could be even higher if householders take steps to reduce the amount they export to the grid by shifting some of their electrical demand to during the day when the solar PV system is generating. For example, using the washing machine during the day instead of at night.

'It is also important for installers to be offering the right measure in the right home alongside the right advice to ensure that trust continues to be built between them and householders who could benefit from solar installations.'

Find out more about the latest solar PV panel installation figures here.