energyindependence

Why the New Year Is the Best Time to Review Energy Costs and Start a Smarter Green Energy Journey

The New Year is a time for fresh starts, better planning, and smarter financial decisions. For homeowners and businesses alike, it’s also the perfect moment to review energy costs and take control of how electricity is generated, stored, and used.

With energy prices continuing to fluctuate and sustainability becoming a priority for households and organisations across the UK, investing in solar panels, battery storage, and EV charging has never made more sense. At UKGEI, we design fully app-controlled renewable energy systems for domestic and commercial customers – and as a brand-agnostic installer, we always put the solution first.

Why Review Your Energy Costs in the New Year?

January is a natural checkpoint for both households and businesses. It’s when:

  • Annual budgets are reviewed

  • Energy contracts are reassessed

  • Winter energy usage is at its highest

For homeowners, this often highlights how much energy is being bought from the grid during expensive peak periods. For businesses, rising electricity costs can significantly impact operating margins.

A New Year energy review helps identify:

  • Where energy is being wasted

  • When peak tariffs are affecting bills

  • How much could be saved by generating and storing power on-site

Solar Panels: Clean Energy for Homes and Businesses

Installing solar PV systems allows you to generate your own renewable electricity directly from your roof, reducing reliance on the grid.

Domestic solar benefits:

  • Lower electricity bills

  • Reduced exposure to energy price rises

  • Increased property value

  • Cleaner, greener living

Commercial solar benefits:

  • Significant long-term cost savings

  • Improved energy security

  • Reduced carbon footprint and ESG impact

  • Strong ROI for warehouses, offices, retail, and industrial sites

Solar is the foundation of any green energy journey – but its true potential is unlocked when combined with battery storage.

Battery Storage: Use Your Energy When You Need It Most

Battery storage systems allow you to store excess solar energy rather than exporting it back to the grid.

This means you can:

  • Use stored energy in the evenings or during peak tariff periods

  • Reduce grid dependence

  • Maximise solar self-consumption

  • Protect against future energy price increases

For commercial users, battery storage can also:

  • Reduce peak demand charges

  • Support load shifting

  • Improve resilience during grid instability

Battery storage turns renewable energy into a reliable, controllable asset.

EV Chargers for Homes and Businesses

With electric vehicles becoming the norm, installing EV chargers is a smart move for both domestic and commercial properties.

Home EV charging:

  • Convenient overnight charging

  • Lower running costs

  • Ability to charge using solar and stored energy

Commercial EV charging:

  • Support fleet electrification

  • Provide charging for staff and customers

  • Future-proof your site as EV adoption grows

When integrated with solar panels and battery storage, EV charging becomes even more cost-effective and sustainable.

One App to Control Your Solar, Battery, and EV Charger

Modern renewable energy systems aren’t just about hardware – they’re about smart control.

UKGEI systems are managed through a single, intuitive app, giving you full visibility and control over your energy.

With app-based energy management, you can:

  • Monitor energy generation and consumption in real time

  • Control battery charging and discharging

  • Schedule EV charging during off-peak or solar-rich periods

  • Optimise energy usage automatically

For businesses, this data is invaluable for tracking performance and improving efficiency across sites.

Brand-Agnostic Energy Solutions Designed Around You

One of the key differences with UKGEI is that we are completely brand agnostic.

This means:

  • We don’t push a single manufacturer

  • We design systems based on your building, usage, and goals

  • We select proven technologies that work best together

  • We future-proof installations so they can be expanded later

Whether you’re a homeowner starting your green journey or a business investing in long-term energy resilience, our approach ensures you get the right solution – not a one-size-fits-all system.

The New Year Is the Time to Take Control of Your Energy

Reviewing energy costs at the start of the year puts you in control for the next 12 months and beyond. By investing in solar panels, battery storage, and EV chargers, you can reduce bills, improve sustainability, and protect yourself from future price uncertainty.

For domestic and commercial customers across the UK, UKGEI delivers intelligent, app-controlled renewable energy systems built around your needs.

Contact UKGEI today to start your New Year energy review and take the first step towards a smarter, greener future.

Frequently Asked Questions FAQs

  • Yes. The New Year is an ideal time to review energy costs as it aligns with budgeting, contract renewals, and peak winter usage. It allows homeowners and businesses to identify savings opportunities early and plan long-term energy improvements.

  • Yes, solar panels work all year round, including winter. While output is lower than in summer, panels still generate electricity during daylight hours. Cold temperatures can actually improve panel efficiency, especially on bright winter days.

  • Battery storage allows you to store excess solar energy and use it when electricity prices are highest. This helps reduce reliance on the grid, lower energy bills, and maximise the value of your solar system for both domestic and commercial properties.

  • Yes. When combined with solar panels and battery storage, an EV charger can use renewable energy generated on-site. This significantly reduces charging costs and lowers the environmental impact of driving an electric vehicle.

  • An app-controlled system allows you to monitor and manage solar generation, battery storage, and EV charging in one place. You can track energy usage in real time, schedule charging, and optimise when stored energy is used.

  • Being brand agnostic means UKGEI selects equipment based on performance, compatibility, and suitability — not manufacturer loyalty. This ensures each system is tailored to the property, energy usage, and future requirements.

  • Yes. Commercial solar and battery systems are ideal for offices, warehouses, retail units, and industrial sites. They help reduce operating costs, support sustainability goals, and improve long-term energy resilience.

  • Yes. UKGEI designs systems with future expansion in mind, allowing additional solar panels, battery capacity, or EV chargers to be added as energy needs grow.

Energy Prices Rise Again in October — How Solar and Batteries Can Protect Your Bills

The BBC has reported that UK energy prices are set to rise again this October, with a typical household paying around £35 more per year. While the increase may sound small, it adds to years of rising costs — and many families are looking for ways to take back control of their energy bills.

At UKGEI, we specialise in helping homeowners across Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire cut their reliance on the grid through solar panels, battery storage, and smart home energy systems.

Energy Prices Rise Again in October — How Solar and Batteries Can Protect Your Bills

Why Energy Bills Are Going Up

Energy costs continue to rise due to global supply issues and increased demand. Unfortunately, this leaves homeowners exposed to higher charges — especially during peak usage hours when electricity prices are at their highest.

How Solar Panels Can Help

By installing solar panels, you can:

  • Generate your own clean electricity.

  • Reduce how much power you buy from the grid.

  • Shield yourself from future price rises.

Every unit of solar energy you generate is one less you need to pay for at inflated rates.

Why Battery Storage is a Game-Changer

Batteries take solar savings to the next level:

  • Store your excess solar during the day for use in the evening.

  • Charge your battery on cheaper overnight tariffs and use it at peak times.

  • Lower your reliance on expensive grid energy, even on cloudy days.

For example, a small battery system could help households save more than the £35 annual rise in just a few months — and those savings grow year after year.

Smart Energy with UKGEI

We don’t just install equipment — we provide MCS-certified, TrustMark-accredited solutions designed for maximum efficiency and savings.

  • GivEnergy Platinum Installer – advanced battery storage and solar solutions.

  • Sigenergy Approved Installer – cutting-edge battery and energy management.

  • MyEnergi Product Champion – including the popular Zappi EV charger, integrating solar and storage with electric vehicle charging.

Take Control Before the Next Price Rise

Energy prices are beyond your control — but how much you rely on the grid isn’t. With solar panels and battery storage, you can reduce your bills, lower your carbon footprint, and future-proof your home against rising costs.

Book your free consultation with UKGEI today and discover how much you could save.

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frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Q: How much can I save with a solar battery system?

A: Savings vary depending on your home and usage, but many customers reduce bills by hundreds of pounds per year — well above the £35 increase expected in October.

Q: Do I need solar panels to benefit from a battery?

A: No — batteries can be charged on cheaper overnight tariffs and used during peak times, helping you save money even without solar.

Q: Are UKGEI installations certified?

A: Yes — we’re MCS-certified and TrustMark-accredited, ensuring all installations meet the highest standards.

Q: What areas do you cover?

A: We install solar, batteries, and EV chargers across Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire.