“Don’t get it now, wait for the sales!”
We’ve all heard it. We’ve all said it.
Because let’s face it, no one likes to feel like they’re paying more for something when they don’t need to.
I’ve got a cousin who, every year, waits until the Boxing Day sales to buy his wife’s Christmas gift.
I mean, he might be skating on thin ice, but you get the point.
It’s a natural human trait to want to pay the least for what we need, and to get the most bang for our buck.
So, you’d be forgiven for asking whether solar panels might get cheaper or better in the near future.
The cost of solar panels has dropped a whopping 47% in the last decade.
So, you could be forgiven for thinking that if you wait, you might snag yourself a cheaper deal.
We’ve also seen huge technical advances in solar in the last 20 years.
And if there are better advances still to come, you don’t want to miss out.
You wouldn’t be the first to consider whether now is a good time to invest in solar energy. Or whether holding out might be a good shout.
But the truth is that waiting could cost you more, and for not much gain.
Let’s get into it.
The Tech Talk
Silicon solar panels have been around for 50 years, and huge technical advances have been made in that time. But the game-changing improvements? They’re behind us.
Current solar panel technology is nearing its practical efficiency limits. And while emerging technologies are showing promise, the consensus in the industry is that major breakthroughs are unlikely to happen in the next 5-8 years.
This means that waiting another couple of years will only get you panels that are maybe 1-2% more efficient.
Meanwhile, you’re still throwing money down the drain, renting your energy from the utility companies.
That would be like keeping your outdated iPhone 8 for 2 more years, while paying a more expensive tariff for your calls, because you heard the iPhone 16 might have a slightly better camera than the iPhone 15.
You might even have heard buzz about fancy new perovskite panels.
Yes, they sound amazing on paper – cheaper to make and just as efficient.
But they have one pretty major problem: they have the lifespan of a stick insect.
Literally – they last about a year!
Now, that’s not to say that this won’t improve, but any major advances in this area are way off. And we mean, waaaay off.
So, if you’re putting off investing in solar energy because you’re waiting for the next best thing, you’ll be waiting a fair while. And in the meantime, energy prices are expected to keep on climbing.
Let’s Talk Money
You might be thinking, “Okay, but if I wait, won’t prices keep dropping?”
Well, yes and no.
Yes, solar panel prices have taken a nosedive over the last decade. But here’s what most people don’t realise.
Hard costs, like panels, inverters, and mounting equipment, make up less than 50% of your total cost.
The remaining 50% is for soft costs like labour, scaffolding, certifications and so on.
So, while hardware might get a bit cheaper, labour costs are only going to go up.
Waiting also means potentially missing out on current financial incentives.
The ECO4 Scheme provides grants for low-income households to install solar panels and is set to end in March 2026.
Then there’s the VAT reduction scheme, which means solar panels are exempt from VAT until 2027.
The Numbers That Matter
Here’s what’s really interesting.
People who installed their systems 5 years ago were told they’d break even in 8-10 years. But thanks to rising energy prices, many of them hit break-even in just 5 years.
Everything since then? Pure profit.
It’s kind of like that old saying about planting trees – the best time to invest in solar was 5 years ago, the second-best time is now.
Every month, the utility companies are charging you more.
Every year, their profits grow bigger.
While you’re stuck paying whatever they demand.
Solar is your way out.
This is all well and good, but how do I know if going solar would be worth it for me specifically?
That’s a good question. Everyone’s situation is different.
Getting the right solar system can be a complex process, and there are a bunch of variables that can impact your return on investment.
Luckily, we’re here to help.
All you have to do is tell us a bit about your home and your energy use.
And we’ll send you back a free Cost Report outlining the tech you need, what it should cost you, and clear numbers on your savings and ROI over 25 years.
We’ll also give you pros and cons for the different options and clear advice on what to do next. With no sales pitches and no jargon.
You’ll have all the facts you need to make the right decision for your situation, and you’ll be equipped to hold your own with any installer out there.
