Solar Panels
How Does Solar Work?
Solar PV
(PV – is the conversion of light into electricity) cells on the panels turn the light into direct current electricity (DC)
Inverter
The current flows into an inverter. Which converts it to alternating electricity (AC) ready to use
Meter
The current is fed through a meter and then into your home’s consumer unit
Consumer Unit
Your system will use the free electricity from your panels. Any electricity you do not use will be exported to the National Grid
No Matter the Weather
The sun gives off light even on cloudy days
Smart Export Guarantee
Earn money from your
solar panels
Property Value
They can increase the value of your building
Reduce Carbon footprint
You are tapping into an unlimited, clean energy source
Will I need planning permission to install solar panels?
In most cases, the installation of roof mounted solar panels is classed as ‘permitted development’ and this means that planning permission may not be necessary unless other restrictions apply, such as listed buildings and conservation areas for example.
If you have any questions about your project, please click the link below for further information or you can ask our friendly team for advice:
Is there any maintenance required for solar panels?
The solar panels and inverter are the two main components to a Solar PV installation.
Solar panels don’t typically require any maintenance and that’s why they have earned the title ‘fit and forget’ technology. As the panels themselves don’t have any moving parts, very little can go wrong. It is good practice to have the panels cleaned once every few years, however, most panels are manufactured using self-cleaning glass, so this is not essential.
Inverters typically come with a 5-year warranty which in most cases, can be upgraded to as much as 20 years to give you peace of mind.
I am out at work all day, will solar work for me?
If you are purchasing solar panels to reduce your electricity bill, then arguably you would want the power to be generated when you’re at home and available to use it.
Recent breakthroughs in technology mean that batteries are now a very cost-effective addition to a solar system and also make it worthwhile for anyone to install solar panels. This is because they will store any electricity generated by the solar panels, when you leave your home and when you return.
Should I install a battery with solar panels?
In most cases, a battery is a great addition to a Solar PV system and to ensure you select the right battery, we use our own in-house software to design an appropriate system for you.
This can be installed at the same time as your solar panels or at a later date. Installing the battery with your solar panels on a residential property will mean you can benefit from 5% VAT instead of 20% when purchased on its own.
Do I have to go off the grid when I switch to solar energy?
There are a lot of benefits when being grid connected, due to the fact you’re able to sell your excess electricity to the utility company which is a great benefit factor and therefore, you may not want to go off-grid (also known as islanding).
I heard the government stopped the subsidies for solar, is it still worth doing?
The government once offered a FIT (Feed in Tariff) scheme which was discontinued in April 2019. The scheme was designed to kick start the solar industry as solar panels were once very expensive, the government needed a subsidy to make them an attractive proposition to any home or business.
Since then, prices for solar have reduced massively, as well, it’s important to factor in the rising cost of electricity, meaning the government no longer need a subsidy. Battery storage has now become increasingly available, meaning solar owners can use most or all of their solar electricity, making it more viable.