Do solar panels work in the UK?
Yes – The United Kingdom receives 60% of the amount of solar energy that the equator receives. Each square metre of the UK receives between 900– 1200kWh of solar radiation each year, making the UK a good climate for solar panels to work. Sweden and Denmark have healthy solar industries, and they are in more northerly latitudes than the United Kingdom.
Do I need planning permission?
No – Solar panel roof systems are classed as permitted development so you don’t need planning permission, although if you live in an area of outstanding natural beauty, National Park or Conservation Area, you should contact your local council for guidance.
Do solar panels work in winter?
Yes – solar panel technologies still produce energy throughout the winter as they are designed to collect daylight, not pure sunshine. The shorter length of day does affect your output, but they will still be working to reduce your consumption.
Do solar panels require cleaning?
No – Solar panels are made of highly polished self-cleaning glass that aided by the pitch of your roof mean that they require no cleaning.
Do panels have to go on the roof of my house?
No – PV solar panels can easily be installed on frames within your garden/land or perhaps on outbuildings with a suitable roof location such as your garage.
Do solar panels last a long time?
Yes – PV solar panels have a manufacturer’s performance warranty of 25 years and a working lifetime of 40 years and beyond.
Will solar panels supply electricity at night?
Solar PV panels require daylight to operate, so once this has gone you will be using the electricity provided by your existing supplier. However now we can install a battery storage system to store the surplus energy from the solar panels for you to use when there is no daylight
What is the process if I wanted panels installed?
Once you decide to go ahead, we will arrange for your house to have a survey to agree on the location of the solar panels, inverter, cabling and other electrical equipment required. Once completed we will arrange the installation, which in most cases only takes one day to complete.
How long does it take to install solar panels?
Less than a day as our installation teams will always have your system installed and working in just one day, with the exception of severe weather that may prevent the installation from being completed on that day.
What do I need to do?
We take most of the work away from you, all you need to do is call your existing energy supplier, or a new one should you wish to change, and ask for a Smart Export Guarantee application form to be sent to you. This needs to be completed by you and is then sent off once your system is installed with the paperwork so that your chosen energy supplier can install a smart meter and start paying you for the energy you export to the grid.
How much do solar panels cost?
Prices vary between £4995-£9995 depending on your requirements and because every house is unique with different roof shapes, numerous tiles and slates.
Will my roof tiles be damaged during installation?
Our MCS approved installers are trained in solar PV installations and have been chosen due to their extensive experience. In the unlikely event that a tile is damaged in the fitting process, we will replace it at no cost to you. Everything we do is fully insured and we provide a two year workmanship warranty on all aspects of installation.
Will the value of my home increase?
Like adding double-glazing, cavity wall insulation or loft insulation, installing solar PV panels on your home can increase the value of your home in the market by dramatically increasing your home’s Energy Assessment Rating.
As energy prices continue to rise, more and more buyers will be looking for properties with technology like solar PV that save money on the bills. Because the income from the solar panel system is tied to the property, this added incentive can be a valuable asset to pass on to the next owner.
Beyond the actual financial savings and benefits to the home-owner, the real attractiveness of generating some of your own energy is the independence from the big energy suppliers.
As energy prices continue to climb, a home that can reduce the impacts of these increases will be a more attractive investment.
If you want to see the actual evidence, then just follow this link to the report produced by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) for the Government.