Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about Solar Panel Installations?

 

How do I know if solar panels are suitable for my home?

Solar panels are generally suitable for installation on most homes, by using satellite images we are able to talk things through with you over the phone.

Some of the most common reasons a home would not be suitable are:

• not enough roof space (an 8-panel system requires a space of 2 small car parking spaces)

• roof is in a state of disrepair or very unstable

• roof is thatched or natural stone

• very uneven roof or lots of obstacles (like lots of skylights or dormer windows)

 

Are solar panels a worth while investment?

As electricity prices from your energy supplier are ever increasing, solar panels are a handy way of taking the cost of powering your home into your own hands. Our solutions will still be generating clean energy for you in well over 20 years.

They’re a great way to boost your home’s green credentials too – as it doesn’t get any cleaner or greener than generating your own solar energy to use to power your home, electric vehicle or heat your water. There is also increasing evidence that solar panels can increase the value of your home, as more and more prospective buyers actively seek homes with renewable technologies already installed.

Since April 2022, homes in the UK have benefited from zero VAT on the materials and installation of energy-efficient measures, this comes to an end in March 2027 when the rate returns to 5%. Installing your Solar PV system before this date will save you money both on your installation and your annual energy bills. You can read about this on the government’s website for the full details.

 

What is involved in a solar panel installation?

Solar panel installations will almost always require scaffolding to allow our team to safely access the roof. An installation job will generally run over a day or two and involves securely fixing your new panels to your roof, wiring up all the associated cables, and then setting up your inverter (which is what takes the electricity generated by your panels and turns it into electricity that can be used in your home).

Once that’s all complete, our installers will talk you through a detailed handover and also set you up with a solar monitoring app so you can track how much clean energy you’re generating through the year.

 

How do I decide on the correct size and location for my solar panels?

After an initial chat over the phone, we will visit your home to assess your roof for available space, check for any shading or obstacles that could obstruct the sun, and analyse the optimal location on your roof to install your new panels.

We will then send you a proposed design with some options around number of panels, exactly where they can be located on your roof, and an optional upgrade to add a battery to store up any excess solar you generate. After that, it’s up to you how green you want to go!

 

Will I need planning permission to fit solar panels?

In many instances, the installation of solar panels is covered by the General Permitted Development Order and therefore does not require planning permission.

However, you should check with your local planning authority if you live in a:

• conservation area

• area of outstanding natural beauty

• national park

• listed building

 

Should I install a battery along with my solar panels?

Installing a home battery is a great way to ensure that you store any excess energy you generate from your solar panels to use later in the day when you need it – for example, in the evening when the sun has gone down. Especially if you’re not using as much energy during the day when your solar panels are generating energy, a battery makes sure you don’t lose out on that hard earned green energy – as without a battery, if you don’t use your solar energy it gets lost to the electricity grid. This means you’d instead have to rely on more expensive, less green energy from energy suppliers instead.

Also, installing a battery at the same time as your new solar panels means your battery qualifies for the same 0% VAT rate as solar (instead of 20%) – so getting them together gives you an extra smart saving! You can read about this on the government’s website for the full details.

 

What is the Smart Export Guarantee?

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) came into effect on 1st January 2020 and is currently active. It enables small-scale low-carbon electricity generators to receive payments for any surplus energy they export back to the grid.

Although this is not a direct government grant, all licensed suppliers must now offer an export tariff to their customers. Those suppliers with over 150,000 customers are obligated to offer a tariff, while those with fewer can partake voluntarily.

Benefits of Smart Export Guarantee

As an SEG Generator, you can shop around for different SEG Licensees to see who offers the best price per kWh that is exported. You can determine the contract length and rate for which they offer. Generally, the rate will range between 1p and 15p per kWh. Because you can choose any SEG Licensee, even one that’s different from your electricity supplier, shopping around for the best rate will get you the best deal.

Based on a 7.5p per kWh rate, the average owner of a three-bedroom home with a 3.5 kWp solar panel installation will currently earn £112 per year under SEG.

Eligibility

All homeowners with regular solar panel systems (up to 5MW capacity) are eligible under the SEG. In addition, the house must be fitted with a smart metre, in order to measure the exports. Some energy suppliers also offer only special rates for energy exported from specific solar battery storage systems (this includes the SolarEdge system).

How to Apply for Smart Export Guarantee

To be an SEG Generator, you will need to shop around for an SEG Licensee (an electricity supplier authorised to offer an SEG tariff) and apply directly to them. All SEG Licensees are obliged to offer an SEG tariff to all eligible generators. However, each one will have its own specific application process that you will need to follow up on.

Before you can start applying for SEG tariffs, you need to first lock in an energy-efficient and tailormade panel that’s suited to your home’s needs. This will ensure you are saving at the start itself since you don’t want to apply grants to panels that are sub-par or not a fit for your home.

 

Are there any grants available to fit solar panels?

The ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation) scheme will run from 1st April 2022 and until March 2026. The government has allocated 4 billion pounds– it spreads 1 billion across 4 years– to improve the energy ratings of UK homes and reduce carbon emissions.

Benefits of ECO4 Scheme

ECO4 allows low-income households the opportunity to replace their inefficient heating system with a more efficient and environmentally friendly system, such as solar PV panels.

The ECO4 is estimated to upgrade approximately 450,000 homes, mostly to EPC band C. Qualified households will reduce the average household energy bills by around £290. But for the least efficient homes, this could save as much as £1,600 annually.

Eligibility

The ECO4 scheme is open to low-income, fuel-poor and vulnerable households receiving benefits. To be eligible for solar PV panels, your home needs to meet specific requirements:

  • currently have an inefficient heating system within the D-G energy efficiency band.
  • own your home and live in it, or live in private rented accommodation.
  • all-electric homes (on and off-gas) where biomass boilers or District Heat Network has been ruled out
  • receiving government benefits (e.g. child benefits or income support)

If you are currently not receiving benefits but are considered low-income, you may still qualify for ECO4 under theECO4 LA Flex.

LA Flex gives councils the flexibility to determine eligibility criteria in their region — criteria are no longer limited to availing benefits or even based on income and will be tailored to the circumstances of people in the area (e.g., age, number of occupants, number of children, condition of the house, etc.). This means that more people in the UK will be able to get solar panel grants.

Find out about Cumbrian grants

Is the UK climate suitable for solar panels?

The UK climate is absolutely suitable for solar panels, in fact solar panels are very efficient in the UK. Although the efficiency of solar panels is higher on sunny days, they do not need direct sunlight to work. Solar panels can also produce a considerable amount of electricity on cloudy days and during the winter season.

In fact, solar panels are more suited to cooler temperatures. Solar panels can overheat in countries with very warm weather. Therefore, UK weather is most of the year ideal for the efficiency of the product.