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The Independent
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Perlight Black Grid solar panel review: best for long warranty
This Perlight Black Grid review explores why this panel is a top choice for homeowners seeking both long-term performance and an extended warranty. It's part of our expert-reviewed guide to the best solar panels for UK homes. If you're weighing up whether solar panels are worth it, this review — and our full guide to the best solar panel installers — will help you make an informed decision. The Perlight Black Grid solar panel stands out in a crowded market, not only for its sleek design and solid efficiency but for offering one of the longest warranties available. Choosing the best solar panels for your home involves more than just headline specs, especially as installation is often the most expensive part of the total cost of solar panels. That's why long-term durability matters. Commercial solar growth has driven significant tech advances in recent years. Many panels now offer similar specs on paper — comparable power output, 25- to 30-year lifespans, and sleek all-black designs. But with installation often being the largest part of the overall , and British weather posing its own set of challenges, the stakes for getting the right system are high. While solar panel prices have dropped dramatically, thanks in part to China's manufacturing scale and innovation, installation costs remain high due to labour, scaffolding, and system integration. So it's worth considering the total system cost, not just the price per panel, when selecting the best panel for your home. Why choose the Perlight Black Grid? Price, installed: £895 to £1,195 per kW Efficiency: 26 per cent Wattage per panel: 500W Type: N-Type Made in: China Degradation: 87.4 per cent after 30 years Warranty: 30 years Founded in 2006, Perlight is a Chinese manufacturer of solar panels with a long track record. Its Black Grid solar panel offers an impressive 30-year warranty — five years longer than the industry standard — making it ideal for those looking to maximise long-term savings and reduce replacement concerns. This longer guarantee can offer extra peace of mind, particularly if you're financing your solar panel system over time or plan to remain in your home for decades. That said, many panels rated for 25 years will likely keep performing beyond their warranty period. In terms of performance, the Perlight Black Grid solar panel also offers better efficiency and a higher power rating, delivering 500W per panel, than other solar panels on our list. While the degradation rate is slightly lower than other top-tier models, it still holds up well, retaining nearly 87 per cent of output after 30 years. The company is also somewhat shy about filing facts about itself compared to its competitors, although it passes all the necessary regulatory hurdles. One downside is that Perlight isn't a Tier-1 manufacturer, meaning it hasn't been ranked by BloombergNEF for financial transparency and bankability. However, it has a long track record and its global footprint — shipping to over 100 countries — and compliance with international standards suggest a reliable product. The panels also have high pressure resistance, meaning they should be able to withstand the bumps, bangs and weather that 30 years on a roof will throw at them. The panels are built with high pressure resistance, which should help them withstand the UK's often unpredictable weather over several decades. Like most solar panels on the market today, these are manufactured in China, which has invested heavily in clean energy production and now dominates the global solar supply chain. China's lead in silicon refinement and solar R&D means many of the world's best solar panels come from Chinese firms. While the cost of panels has fallen by about 90% since 2000, installation costs have risen due to labour and inflation, so total system cost still needs careful budgeting. Pros: Market-leading 30-year warranty High efficiency and power output Cons: A 30-year product warranty is hard to come by in any product but Perlight offers one of the longest warranties available in the market Paul Evans, head of renewables at solar panel fitter Glow Green How we compiled our guide To compile our list, we spoke to experts on the ground and have broken down the top-performing brands based on real-world value, not just technical specs. We've prioritised long-term performance, value for money, and the reputation of the best solar panel installers in the UK. And if you're wondering if solar panels are worth it for your home, this guide is designed to help you make a smart, informed decision that pays off over time, whether you're upgrading an old array or fitting solar panels for the first time. Most panels are guaranteed for 25 years and offer similar power output, size, efficiency and looks. So we've weighted our judgement towards cost and degradation, which describes how much power the cells will provide after a number of years. The higher the percentage, the better. Much of your decision will also depend on which installer you go with, as many have preferred brands they work with due to bulk purchasing. You'll also see a lot of unfamiliar Chinese names as you do your research, but many of these are Tier-1 manufacturers in clean energy with strong track records in quality and durability. Why trust us
CTV News
4 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
Habitat for Humanity helps 2 new Regina families find homes
WATCH: Two families were given their keys to their new homes on Tuesday, as part of Habitat for Humanity Saskatchewan's Homeowner Initiative.
Telegraph
6 hours ago
- General
- Telegraph
Maybe it's the snob factor, but I can't bring myself to AstroTurf my garden
When I bought my house a few summers ago, one of the only nice things about it was in the back garden. It boasts an enormous magnolia tree with beautiful pink blossoms in spring, and a thick canopy of leaves in summer. We completely redid the house from top to bottom, including the garden, which was reduced to rubble and mud after a side and rear kitchen extension. We laid a new grass lawn (against the advice of our gardener), which looked lush and healthy until the autumn. That was when the trouble started. The magnolia shed hundreds of leaves daily over our small lawn, creating a thick carpet of them which, if we didn't religiously rake and scoop up each night, would lead to a horrible slimy layer underneath. I confess, we didn't keep up with the raking, and our lovely lawn perished. Come spring, the grass looked so dreadful we simply had to replace it, and we faced the classic modern middle-class dilemma: install real grass or throw in the towel and go for AstroTurf. We were shown photographs of upmarket artificial grass in high-end gardens that looked pretty realistic, and of course, the practical benefits were hugely attractive. It would need no watering, no cutting, and crucially, it would still look perfectly lush even after an autumn of heavy leaf fall. And yet, we still couldn't bring ourselves to do it. A huge factor was the price. Suppliers of 'premium' fake lawns in London clearly know it's big business, and they charge through the nose for it. I suspect the fake grass industry has turned into a bit of a racket, as we could barely believe the price of the quote, which was thousands of pounds. We could have laid fresh turf every year for at least five years for the same price as laying artificial lawn once. There's also undeniably a snob factor around fake grass, since some view it as aesthetically and environmentally inferior to real grass. I have never been a huge fan of the modern 'Love Island' pristine garden aesthetic, with lots of white wash, clean lines and immaculate bright green lawns. For my own space, I had in mind an imperfect English country garden with a real lawn, beds of pretty hydrangeas and clematis, and jasmine climbing the fence. I wouldn't care if someone judged my lawn for being fake if I thought it was the right choice for my garden, but I do worry whether the stigma could affect our house price if we were to sell eventually. Perhaps that's another reason why I resisted. Overall finish matters hugely when calculating house prices in our area, and I worry that while splashing out on hugely expensive fake grass wouldn't add any value, installing poorly-fitted AstroTurf might actually reduce the asking price. This is especially pertinent since the entire lawn is extremely visible through large Crittall-style doors at the back of the house. Whether to fake it or not is a hot debate among friends in my local area. Busy middle-class parents love to moan about the poor health of their grass lawns, which when they're trying to hold down demanding jobs, raise children, exercise, eat healthily and have a social life, really are some way down the list of priorities and a complete and utter pain in the backside to maintain. I'd probably find it easier to give in and go artificial if I hadn't grown up in the countryside with views of grass fields, trees and hedgerows as far as the eye could see. Now, living in a place dominated by concrete and bricks, giving up on having a real lawn feels painful. We've vowed to be better at picking up leaves this autumn, and to reseed the lawn in the spring, and for now we will carry on watering it during dry spells. We've learnt the hard way that keeping a real lawn is a labour of love, but whether our efforts will be enough to save our latest batch of turf remains to be seen. If not, then we might just have to get over ourselves, and the cost, and install some plastic grass.
Times
7 hours ago
- Business
- Times
Remortgaging rises to highest level since Liz Truss's mini-budget
The number of people who secured a new deal on their mortgage climbed to the highest level since Liz Truss's mini-budget nearly three years ago, official data released on Tuesday showed. Some 41,800 homeowners remortgaged in June, up by 200 from May, making it the most active month since October 2022 when the mortgage market was rocked by the former prime minister's ill-fated mini-budget. The figures, published by the Bank of England, showed that homeowners capitalised on lenders offering more attractive mortgage deals in recent months after the central bank cut interest rates four times to 4.25 per cent from a peak of 5.25 per cent. The data captures people who remortgage with a new bank.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
HELOC rates today, July 30, 2025: Unchanged as the Fed announces its decision
Nationally, HELOC rates range from a low of about 8% to over 9.5%, with the average APR firmly planted below 8.75%. While home equity line of credit rates often begin with a lower rate during an introductory period, these averages are based on prevailing variable rates that are charged after a promotional period. The Federal Reserve will announce its short-term interest rate decision today, but it is highly expected to leave rates unchanged. As a result, the prime rate will likely stay the same. Wall Street is looking for the Fed to lower rates in September, as there is no meeting in August. Let's check today's home equity line of credit rate. This embedded content is not available in your region. HELOC rates Wednesday, July 30, 2025 According to Bank of America, the largest HELOC lender in the country, today's average APR on a 10-year draw HELOC held firm at 8.72%. That is a variable rate that kicks in after a six-month introductory APR, which is 6.49% in most parts of the country. The lowest HELOC rate reported was 8.05%, with the maximum 9.59%. Homeowners have a sizable amount of value tied up in their houses — more than $34 trillion at the end of 2024, according to the Federal Reserve. That's the third-largest amount of home equity on record. With mortgage rates lingering in the high 6% range, homeowners are not likely to let go of their primary mortgage anytime soon, so selling the house may not be an option. Why let go of your 5%, 4% — or even 3% mortgage? Accessing some of the value locked into your house with a use-it-as-you-need-it HELOC can be an excellent alternative. How lenders determine HELOC interest rates HELOC interest rates are different from primary mortgage rates. Second mortgage rates are based on an index rate plus a margin. That index is often the prime rate, which today is 7.50%. If a lender added 1% as a margin, the HELOC would have a rate of 8.50%. Lenders have flexibility with pricing on a second mortgage product, such as a HELOC or home equity loan, so it pays to shop around. Your rate will depend on your credit score, the amount of debt you carry, and the amount of your credit line compared to the value of your home. And average national HELOC rates can include "introductory" rates that may only last for six months or one year. After that, your interest rate will become adjustable, likely beginning at a substantially higher rate. How a HELOC works You don't have to give up your low-rate mortgage to access the equity in your home. Keep your primary mortgage and consider a second mortgage, such as a home equity line of credit. The best HELOC lenders offer low fees, a fixed-rate option, and generous credit lines. A HELOC allows you to easily use your home equity in any way and in any amount you choose, up to your credit line limit. Pull some out; pay it back. Repeat. Meanwhile, you're paying down your low-interest-rate primary mortgage like the wealth-building machine you are. This embedded content is not available in your region. Look for introductory rates, but be aware of a rate adjustment later Today, FourLeaf Credit Union is offering a HELOC rate of 6.49% for 12 months on lines up to $500,000. That's an introductory rate that will convert to a variable rate later. When shopping lenders, be aware of both rates. And as always, compare fees, repayment terms, and the minimum draw amount. The draw is the amount of money a lender requires you to initially take from your equity. The power of a HELOC is tapping only what you need and leaving some of your line of credit available for future needs. You don't pay interest on what you don't borrow. HELOC rates today: FAQs What is a good interest rate on a HELOC right now? Rates vary so much from one lender to the next that it's hard to pin down a magic number. You may see rates from nearly 7% to as much as 18%. It really depends on your creditworthiness and how diligent a shopper you are. Is it a good idea to get a HELOC right now? For homeowners with low primary mortgage rates and a chunk of equity in their house, it's probably one of the best times to get a HELOC. You don't give up that great mortgage rate, and you can use the cash drawn from your equity for things like home improvements, repairs, and upgrades. Of course, you can use a HELOC for fun things too, like a vacation — if you have the discipline to pay it off promptly. A vacation is likely not worth taking on long-term debt. What is the monthly payment on a $50,000 home equity line of credit? If you take out the full $50,000 from a line of credit on a $400,000 home, your payment may be around $395 per month with a variable interest rate beginning at 8.75%. That's for a HELOC with a 10-year draw period and a 20-year repayment period. That sounds good, but remember, it winds up being a 30-year loan. HELOCs are best if you borrow and pay back the balance in a much shorter period of time.
