Solar panels FAQ
Where would I put solar panels?
Panels are generally installed on the roof of a property. However, ground-standing installations are also an option. A predominantly
south-facing position is best, although if you do not have a south-facing roof or anywhere else on the property to situate an installation
of this orientation, then an east/west installation is also possible. This means having one (or more than one) panel facing east and another
facing west, such that all day long at least one side of the installation will be absorbing sunlight.
Is solar electricity a feasible option in the UK?
A common worry for people living in the UK (a country not renowned for its sunshine) is whether solar energy can be depended upon to
generate electricity for their home. First of all, while intensity of light is certainly a factor, sunny weather is not actually a
necessity for solar power to be generated; only daylight is necessary.
Second, in most cases people will be looking not to supply all of their electricity by self-generated solar power, but to combine domestic electricity with electricity from the National Grid, although the exact proportion of domestic/national energy will depend very much on how extensive an installation they have. The size of the panel array is for the owner to decide, though we can make recommendations based on electricity needs and budget, and the size and location of the property.
This linking up of domestic power with the National Grid is a two-way process, with home owners able to sell any excess power they generate to the Grid. This arrangement, together the Government’s Clean Energy Cashback Scheme, makes the UK a country of incentives where solar power is concerned.
How much money can I save by installing solar panels?
The amount you will save will depend on your energy usage, the location and orientation of your property and the size of the
solar array you choose, and therefore a full consultation and survey is required to give you a quote.
However, there are three areas in which solar panels will work for you:
- The electricity you no longer have to buy.
- Selling excess electricity back to the National Grid.
- Payment from the Clean Energy Cashback Scheme for every unit generated, even if you use it yourself.
Between them, these three sources of revenue help to make solar panels a strong investment. They will also increase the value of your property, often by a significant amount.
How long do solar panels last?
This kind of equipment is generally highly durable. Like most reputable PV panels, ours come with a 25 year panel performance warranty.
In the UK, with its temperate climate, we have little to fear from weather conditions that could usually put rooftop installations at risk, such as hurricanes. Panels are built to withstand impacts up to a point, from hail or falling acorns for example (although not, it has to be said, from entire falling trees, so consideration of placement is important!).
The most vulnerable part of photovoltaic panels is the underside, which once they are installed will not be exposed at all, meaning that the time panels are most liable to damage is probably prior to and during installation. If this is undertaken by us, it will always be by our own fitters who know how to handle the panels, never by subcontracted third parties.
What do I do now?
Please contact us (0800 5677 091) and we will advise you on the best options for you and your property. We have never mis-sold a system, whether PV or solar hot water, so you can rest assured that your questions will always be answered accurately.