It has been well known for some time that you can make financial savings by installing solar panels on your home. A contributing factor to this is how much more affordable solar panels have become in recent years, with the costs for solar panels decreasing by over 95% since the year 2000. The savings made from generating your own electricity can pay for your PV in as little as 3 years depending your personal usage.
On top of this, more advanced manufacturing techniques have also led to more compact and efficient panels. With these developments, it isn’t hard to see why more and more households are considering a solar installation. With electricity prices constantly rising it makes sense to make savings where possible as well as benefitting from the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), where you are paid for the the electricity you export to the grid.
One of the main advantages of solar energy, why you and many other homeowners may look to invest in solar panels, is to generate energy directly, causing your monthly electricity bills to drop. By using more of your own solar-generated electricity you reduce your overall imported electricity from the National Grid.
You can save more on your electricity bills depending on when you use the most appliances. This is because any electricity usage which reduces your electricity consumption from the grid, rather than being fed into the grid, will make you the greatest savings.
You can make reductions by using more electrical devices in the daytime when your solar panels will be generating electricity and can directly help to power them.
However, if you also have a solar battery storage system, it is possible to cover your energy bills during the day and night.
Whilst some energy suppliers may offer green or renewable electricity energy tariffs, the latest government data shows renewable sources only account for 36% of electricity generation in the UK. This means you are more likely to have an energy tariff that uses fossil fuels rather than not.
Solar PV systems allow you to generate your own clean renewable energy at home, and by doing so reduce your carbon footprint.
The solar panels on a roof collect sunlight and converting it into usable electricity. This is created using a photovoltaic (PV) effect. The sunlight is collected through semiconductor materials creating electricity. This electricity is known as direct current (DC), this is then carried through cables to the inverter which converts the electricity to alternate current (AC) which is then cabled to the consumer unit for use throughout the property. Any excess energy generated is fed back to the grid. The complete installation is included in your installation.
During sunny days the solar panels will produce more electricity than you are able to use. Unused electricity is exported to the national grid, unless you have got a power diverter or battery installed, meaning you will store currently unused electricity for consumption at a later time. At other times you will use more energy than your solar panels generate. You will then use electricity from the national grid - just like you do now.
The total amount of electricity generated will differ on every rooftop and will depend on the orientation towards the sun, the amount of shade, the slope of your roof and the size of the system. During registration, we will ask you various questions about your roof in order to provide a personal estimate of how much electricity your solar panels will generate, dependant on the size of your roof space and the size of the system required.
Just like other electrical appliances, the power of solar panels is measured in Watts and expressed as kilowatts per hour (kWh). This is simply how many 1,000 Watts are produced every hour. The amount of electricity generated will depend on the annual amount of sunlight, as the amount of sunlight continually changes, the maximum power output of a solar panel is known as its Watt peak (Wp).Optimal conditions for solar panels are in a location that is south-facing and shade-free, under these conditions a system in the UK will generate approximately 90% of its Watt peak power.
Shade can have a negative effect on the efficiency of a solar PV system and reduces the available roof space. If you do have shade on your roof from chimneys, nearby trees or buildings we can offer an optimised solution to increase the efficiency of the system and help minimise the effect of shading.If you are not sure whether this applies to you, the surveyor will be able to advise on the best system for you at the initial survey stage. In the event that you decide to add optimisation to your panels and the surveys show you don’t need it the installer will remove this from your price.
The British weather can be unpredictable at the best of times, but that doesn't mean that your solar panels won't work during the winter months or on cloudy days. Solar PV works on sunlight and not heat.
Most installations can be completed in one to two days. Scaffolding will be erected 48 - 72 hours prior to install and taken down 48 hours after the installation is complete. If the installation is likely to take longer than this, you will be informed.
As the inverters for the solar PV system typically need to go in your loft space, you will need to make sure your loft is accessible and free of clutter. You can discuss this with the surveyor during your roof survey. Additionally, you will need to give the installer access to the areas in which they need to work in – both inside and outside. They will also need access of your electricity supply. We would also request you allow the use of your water and toilet (if this is a problem please advise our surveyor). Any disruption will be kept to a minimum and installers will leave your property tidy when they leave.
We will require your WiFi access password if you would like the installer to set up your system monitoring for you on the day. Providing your signal strength is adequate enough to reach the inverter dongle.
There are a few main components that make up the system that will be installed on your roof. These are:
The average size of a panel is 1.8 x 1.1m and they typically weigh between 15 and 30kg depending on the size and manufacturer. You will be able to check the specifications of your panels in your personal recommendation.
These are the stainless-steel hooks that screw into the rafters of your roof, forming a base for the mounting system. The roof anchors are hidden from view once the panels have been fixed onto the roof but are nonetheless a crucial part of your system.
The frame is made up of two parallel aluminium bars or rails for each row of panels. The rails are attached to the roof anchors using a specially engineered locking system to ensure there’s no movement, then the panels are mounted on top and attached using clamps.
Clamps hold the panels onto the frame. There are two types: end-clamps and mid-clamps. End-clamps are used at the end of a row of panels fixing the last one in place, while mid-clamps sit between two panels and ensure they’re spaced evenly.
There are a few main components that make up the system that will be installed inside your home. These are:
The inverter is typically installed in your loft near the main panel array. Inverters are more efficient if kept in a cooler place. Your loft space, a garage or a utility room are usually the best places since they stay cool for most of the year and have ventilation.
If you have an immersion heater you may agree with your installer that you want a power diverter. These are usually placed on a wall and connect the inverter to the power supply. They manage the flow of surplus electricity by diverting it directly into your immersion heater, making the most of the electricity generated by your solar PV system, by providing hot water.
We offer AC coupled batteries that are typically installed inside. Their physical size increases with their storage capacity.
In-home monitoring is included with every installation and helps you track the performance of your solar PV system. You will be able to remotely connect to the system via a device that uses the same Wi-Fi, such as a smartphone or tablet.
Please note: This is only available if you have an adequate Wifi system which covers the whole area between the inverter and the router.
The installer will provide you with a handover pack once the installation is completed and the final balance is paid. In the handover pack, you will receive the documents that are required to register for a Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) or Export tariff.
This will include the:
With these documents, you can contact your or any energy supplier to request a SEG export tariff.
With the information you provided during registration and industry-standard calculations, we will create a personal recommendation for a solar PV or battery storage system.
Your solar PV system personal recommendation will include:
Under normal circumstances, solar panels installed on your home do not need planning permission, as they come under permitted development rights. If you live in a listed building, in a conservation area, or area of outstanding natural beauty then you should check with your local planning department first. Solar panels mounted on the ground will, generally need planning permission.
Your Solar Air UK Energy surveyor will be able to answer your questions about planning permission when they come to visit.
Typically, solar panels have very few moving parts, so they do not require much maintenance.
The inverter installed usually in your loft, or garage will communicate with your system and will soon alert you via the monitoring software if there are any events that you need to be made aware of.
Solar panels can get dirty over time so you may want to have them cleaned if they are looking a little grubby.
Whilst solar panels do typically face towards south, in the UK, they can still offer many benefits if installed on east or west facing roofs.
Solar panels on east and west roofs will peak at different times of the day and can sometimes provide additional benefits over South facing systems.
Our technical surveyors will be able to guide you through the pros and cons of each roof space, when visiting your property.
There are no longer any grants for domestic solar panel installations.
Your installation may be eligible for the Smart Export Guarantee (The Export Tariff). This allows energy suppliers to pay you for any energy that you export back to the grid from what your system generates and is not used by the appliances in your home.
Generally, the answer to this is no.
To ensure the safety of network engineers that may be working on the electricity network, solar systems will shut down during a power cut and start back up again as soon as the power comes back on.
In some instances, where we install batteries to your system it may be possible to have emergency power supply installed. Or there may be alternative battery systems to choose from that you can have installed.
Speak to your Energy designer for more information about emergency power, or alternative battery systems.
Solar PV panels are known as a "permitted development". This means that for most domestic properties, planning permission is not required.
However, there are some conditions that your solar PV system has to comply with:
Instances, where domestic solar PV systems do not comply with these limitations, are very rare.
If you think you need planning permission we recommend that you contact the National Planning Portal.
Whilst it is possible to install solar panels on a building that is located within the grounds of a listed building or on a site that is considered to be a scheduled monument. It requires listed building consent followed by applying for planning permission. We recommend that you contact the National Planning Portal.
If you live in a conservation area, it may be possible to install a solar PV system but there are specific limitations to take into consideration. For example, some planning authorities may permit a solar PV system as long as they are not visible from any public highways.
If you want to find out more about conservation areas, you can have a look at the website of your specific council.
Electricity companies are also allowed to offer export tariffs besides the SEG. These export tariffs are not part of the SEG regulations and are set up through a supplier's own initiative. The prices of export tariffs may differ from SEG prices.
There may also be additional conditions to these export tariffs. For example, an energy supplier may require you to be a customer of theirs before being able to apply for their export tariff.
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a regulation for medium and large energy suppliers with more than 150,000 customers to pay residents for the energy they export to the grid from their solar PV system. Accessing an export tariff will help you make the most of your solar PV installation by making sure you get paid for any energy that you do not use and export to the grid.
All Solar Together our installations are part of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) as standard. This means your Solar Together installation will meet the requirements to apply for SEG tariffs so you can sign up and start earning as quickly as possible.
Energy suppliers are allowed to set their own SEG prices. These prices must be higher than zero, and they can be variable similar to variable gas and electricity rates. To apply for the SEG, you do not necessarily need to buy your electricity from that supplier. Instead, you are free to choose from any supplier that offers this.
In order to be eligible to receive payments under a SEG export tariff, you need a meter capable of taking half-hourly measurements, most energy suppliers will suggest a Smart Meter installation if you don’t have one already. Please note that if you do have a Smart Meter, not all currently available Smart Meters allow you to switch to another supplier without losing functionality. If you have questions about your Smart Meter functionality, it is best to discuss this with your energy supplier.
Please know that Solar Together is an organiser of group-buying schemes for solar PV systems and battery storage. Currently, we do not arrange for export tariffs or SEG’s. This type of contract will need to be set up with an energy supplier directly.
If you have made a choice in an energy supplier with who you would like to have an export tariff or SEG, we recommend getting in touch with them directly. Alternatively, you can also check in with your current energy supplier to see if they have anything available for you.
Normally when applying for an export tariff or SEG, the energy supplier will request the following documents:
All these documents will be provided by your installer once the installation has been completed and the invoices have been paid. If you have not yet received these documents, please contact your installer.
Smart meters are not necessary for a solar PV installation. However, if you would like to access SEG tariffs you will need to ask your energy supplier to install a smart meter. A small number of suppliers will offer an export tariff without a smart meter but you will have more choice if you do install one.
Did you know battery storage saves the unused energy that is generated by your solar panels, meaning you can use the solar-generated energy whenever you want, instead of only during the day.
To apply for the Smart Export Guarantee, you must install compliant renewable energy technology and provide your chosen energy company the following.
Once submitted you should expect your energy supplier to process your application within 28 days.
We suggest you look around for the best rates, you do not have to go with the energy supplier that you are currently using for your household bills.
Yes, you will need to have a smart meter installed in your home to be able to claim the export tariff, as this is the only way for your energy provider to know how much electricity you are exporting back to the grid.
No there will be no cost involved for having a smart meter fitted, all energy providers are required by law to install one for you if you have requested one.
Solar PV systems need little maintenance. Keep an eye on nearby trees to ensure they don’t begin to overshadow your system. We offer a panel clean and a test and inspect report. We recommend for domestic systems to have this done every 3 years. If you need to call us out in the interim please do not hesitate. Some problems may be able to be solved over the phone.
In the UK, panels that are tilted at 15 degrees or more benefit from being cleaned by rainfall, which helps to ensure optimal performance. Debris is more likely to build up if you have ground-mounted panels, or if you live in an area with more dust in the air. In these cases, you might need to have the panels cleaned occasionally.
Keeping a close eye on your system and the amount of electricity it’s generating (alongside the weather conditions) will help you understand what to expect and alert you to when something might be wrong.
The panels should last 25 years or more, but the inverter is likely to need replacing sometime during this period, at a cost of about £600-1,000 (depending on system size and the manufacturer). Good inverters have online monitoring functions and can warn you by email if the system fails.
Most inverters have warranties of five years as a minimum, which can often be extended up to 15 years.
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