A family from Bromley have managed to slash their electricity bills from more than £400 a month to around £40, thanks to a solar panel and battery system. With two electric vehicles, a hot tub, and a home equipped with smart technology, Ian Bowden, 39, said the move has saved him £4,320 a year, while also providing greater control over his energy usage.

Explaining the motivations behind the switch, Mr Bowden told Express.co.uk: “With a busy household, our electricity use was already high, and energy prices were only heading in one direction. We were spending over £400 a month on electricity, and it felt unsustainable.” He added: “We live in a new-build that came with just one token solar panel, more a box-ticking exercise than something that could actually power the house. It seemed like a huge missed opportunity not to make the most of a south-facing roof.

“So when prices started fluctuating and the talk of further hikes began, we realised that the sooner we invested in a proper solar and battery system, the sooner we’d start to benefit.”

The impact on family life has been dramatic. Mr Bowden, who lives in a five-bedroom detached house with his wife, toddler and dog, said: “The difference has been huge. Almost overnight, our bills dropped from around £400 to just £40 a month. In summer, we actually export more power than we use.

“That saving has given us room to enjoy life a bit more. It’s also meant we could make our home more comfortable.”

Mr Bowden recently had air conditioning installed in his property, which he says runs “almost entirely” off the solar panels during the day.

He said: “So it costs us virtually nothing to stay cool in the hotter months. At night, we’re on a smart tariff, so it’s incredibly cheap to charge the cars or run appliances, less than £1 for a full night’s cooling or a dishwasher cycle.”

Mr Bowden’s solar panel installation cost £22,500 in total.

He added: “Overall, it’s taken a real weight off. The system will pay for itself within five years. But even now, we’re already feeling the benefits every day – lower costs, more comfort, and the satisfaction of knowing we’re using clean, self-generated energy.

“For us, it wasn’t just about saving money; it was also about gaining control. Knowing that a large share of our energy would come from our own roof gave us real peace of mind. If prices spike again, we’re insulated from that shock.”

George Penny, director at The Solar Co, noted that solar can save households up to 90% on electricity bills, but pointed out that some key factors can affect performance.

He said: “When considering solar panels, it’s essential to make sure your home and circumstances are right for the investment. While modern solar technology is versatile, performance and payback depend on a few key factors.”

According to the solar panel expert, roof orientation and angle matter, and so does shade.

He said: “In the UK, south-facing roofs tilted at around 30 to 40° achieve the highest energy yield, capturing the most sunlight throughout the day. East and west-facing roofs can still generate 80 to 90% of a south-facing system’s output.

“If your roof faces north, solar may still be possible, but output and savings will be lower.”

Mr Penny said even a small amount of shade can have a “big impact” on energy generation.

He said: “Trees, chimneys, nearby buildings, or even TV aerials can reduce performance, especially during midday hours when sunlight is strongest.”

Other factors to consider include roof space and structure, energy use patterns, and installer accreditation.

He said: “Always use a company accredited by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), the industry standard for quality and safety.

“MCS certification guarantees that your system will meet UK technical regulations, and it’s also a requirement for accessing the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), which allows you to sell unused electricity back to the grid to maximise the payback of your solar panels.

“Accredited installers will also handle the necessary paperwork, grid connection applications, and safety inspections.”

For Mr Bowden, the combination of solar panels, battery storage, and a smart tariff has delivered the sizeable savings.

He said: “Solar panels and batteries have come down significantly in price, and I think a lot of people don’t realise just how quick the pay off period could be… Even if circumstances change, and you move sooner, solar panels can be very appealing to prospective buyers, and can increase the value of your property.”