Solar Panels for Off-Gas Properties in the South West
If your home runs on oil, LPG, or electric storage heating, solar panels and a heat pump can cut your energy bills by up to 80%. The South West has one of the highest concentrations of off-gas properties in England — and the best solar resource.
MCS Certified
Microgeneration Certification Scheme
NAPIT Registered
National Association of Professional Inspectors
RECC Member
Renewable Energy Consumer Code
Why Off-Gas Properties Benefit Most from Solar
Around 4.3 million UK homes — including a significant proportion across Somerset, North Somerset, and rural Gloucestershire — are not connected to the mains gas network. These properties currently rely on oil boilers, LPG tanks, or electric storage heaters for warmth, all of which are more expensive per unit of heat than gas and significantly more expensive than electricity generated by your own solar panels.
The economics of solar are most compelling for off-gas properties because your baseline energy cost is already higher. A typical rural Somerset property spending £2,800/year on oil and £900/year on grid electricity can reduce this combined spend to under £700/year with a solar + battery + heat pump system — a saving of over £3,000 annually from year one.
The South West also has the highest solar irradiance in the UK outside of the far south-east — meaning your panels generate more electricity per kilowatt-peak installed than anywhere else in the country north of the M4. This makes the already-strong economics even more compelling.
Your Options: Which System is Right for You?
Solar + Battery
Eliminate daytime electricity costs and store excess for evenings. Reduces your electricity bill by 70–90%. Best combined with an existing oil or LPG boiler as a first step.
Solar + Battery + Heat Pump
The complete solution for off-gas properties. Solar powers your heat pump, slashing heating costs. Replaces oil or LPG entirely. Up to 80% reduction in energy bills.
Solar + Battery + EV Charger
For off-gas homeowners who also drive electric. Charge your car from sunshine, eliminating both electricity and fuel costs.
Oil & LPG vs Solar + Heat Pump: Annual Cost Comparison
For a typical 4-bedroom rural property in Somerset, consuming approximately 20,000 kWh of heat and 4,500 kWh of electricity per year:
| Heating system | Heating | Electricity | Total annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil boiler (current) | £2,800 | £1,100 | £3,900 |
| LPG boiler | £3,200 | £1,100 | £4,300 |
| Electric storage heaters | £2,900 | £1,100 | £4,000 |
| ASHP only (standard tariff) | £1,400 | £1,100 | £2,500 |
| ASHP + solar + battery | £350 | £200 | £550 |
Based on typical 4-bed detached rural property in Somerset. Oil at 55p/litre, LPG at 50p/litre, electricity at 24.5p/kWh. ASHP assumes COP of 3.2 and Octopus Cosy heat pump tariff. Solar + battery based on 6kW system with 9.5kWh battery. Get a free off-gas property assessment →
Available Grants for Off-Gas Homes
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
£7,500Towards an air source heat pump. Available to eligible homeowners in England & Wales.
0% VAT on Solar
Save ~£1,500On a typical 4.5kWp system. Available until at least March 2027.
Warm Homes Local Grant
Up to £15,000Funded solar, heat pumps & insulation for eligible households (replaced ECO4).
Smart Export Guarantee
Earn 3–15p/kWhPaid for surplus solar electricity exported to the grid.
Off-Gas Areas We Serve
D&R Energy regularly installs solar + heat pump systems for off-gas properties across our service area. Many villages in North Somerset, rural Somerset, and the Mendips are not connected to the gas grid — making them ideal candidates for our renewable energy packages.
