At first, Scotland and solar panels sound like whiskey and orange juice, don’t they? People ask, “Doesn’t it rain all the time up there?” Yes, the weather can be a little gloomy, but that’s not all there is to it. You don’t require only bright rays of light. Panels can keep operating even on a dreary day in Aberdeen. It’s one of those things that Scotland pulls out of its sporran. read more

Picture a retired teacher in Fife drinking tea while her meter counts down. That happens! Even through those pesky Scottish clouds, solar panels work. The tech isn’t picky. They’ll get more vitality out of the sun than a bartender pours beers. In the summer, there are roughly 17 hours of daylight. That’s what panels like. But they don’t take a full vacation in the winter.

Everyone is thinking about the cost. No one wants to pay for something that will just sit there and accumulate moss, right? The Smart Export Guarantee and government grants make it even better. You can sell your extra electricity back to the grid and make some money while you’re doing it. All of a sudden, panels appear better, like haggis does when you’ve had a taste.

Putting it in? It’s a lot faster than most people think. A good team can finish before you make a second pot of tea. The angle of the roof matters, although most problems may be fixed with modern brackets. It’s like putting sunglasses on your house—useful and stylish if you squint just so.

I’m not kidding when I say let’s talk about cows and sheep. Rural locations gain big because panels like clear sky. Farmers are eager to turn the roofs of their barns into little power plants. It’s also a badge of honor: “Look at us, saving money and the world.”

Are you worried about upkeep? Not too much to worry about. Most of the cleansing is done by rain. Just look up every now and then to get rid of leaves that don’t belong there or bird droppings that won’t come off.

Solar panels make sense for a lot of people because energy expenses are going up and down. It’s nice to be able to tell people that you’re beating the major energy companies at their own game. Even if you adore the sound of rain on the roof, it feels great to know that it isn’t ruining your plans to go green.