FAQ
Solar PV practical considerations
How long does an install take?
The time it takes to install a solar panel system can vary depending on several factors, including the size of the system, the complexity of the installation, and the experience of the installation team. On average, a residential solar panel installation typically takes about 1 to 3 days to complete. However, larger and more complex installations can take longer.
Will Solar PV supply all my energy?
It is possible but not guaranteed. It all depends on a number of variables. Firstly the size of the system you have which is dependent on the space available and also whether you have a solar battery in your system. Due to the solar PV system only producing energy during daylight hours a battery is needed to use the energy generated at night. Using the grid as your battery is possible for this but works out more costly in the long run. The size of the system is important to generate enough power even on those dark wintry days. In short most systems are tied to the grid and depending on the size of your system and battery arrangement then you can be more self-reliant or less.
How long does a Solar PV system last?
Typical ‘lifespans’ are 25 years for panels and 10-15 years for an inverter. But the reality is that panels keep producing power and slowly degrade over time, so at 25 years they will probably be producing a sizable amount just not the same value as when you first bought them. Many inverters can have their warranty extended at low cost or free so if they break they can be replaced. Much of the financial modelling for payback times works to the 25 year time frame.
What is MCS and RECC?
www.recc.org.uk
www.mcscertified.com
Do I need planning permission?
The time it takes to recoup the cost of a solar panel installation, often referred to as the \”payback period,\” can vary widely based on several factors. These factors include the initial cost of the system, the amount of sunlight your location receives, your energy consumption, and the incentives and electricity rates available in your area.
Will shading affect my system?
The time it takes to recoup the cost of a solar panel installation, often referred to as the \”payback period,\” can vary widely based on several factors. These factors include the initial cost of the system, the amount of sunlight your location receives, your energy consumption, and the incentives and electricity rates available in your area.
What size and type of panel can I get?
The time it takes to recoup the cost of a solar panel installation, often referred to as the \”payback period,\” can vary widely based on several factors. These factors include the initial cost of the system, the amount of sunlight your location receives, your energy consumption, and the incentives and electricity rates available in your area.
What is an inverter? How big is it?
The time it takes to recoup the cost of a solar panel installation, often referred to as the \”payback period,\” can vary widely based on several factors. These factors include the initial cost of the system, the amount of sunlight your location receives, your energy consumption, and the incentives and electricity rates available in your area.
Does orientation of the panels make a difference?
The angle to due south and the tilt of the panel are very important. We model the output of the panels with these angles in mind when designing for your roof. Simply put due south is best with angle of about 30 degrees.
How are the panels attached to my roof?
The panels can be attached as retrofit system (on top of your existing roof) or inline system (as part of your roof). When attaching on top of an existing roof we remove a tile and bolt a roof hook to structure of the roof then put the tile or a water tight replacement product back. Multiple hooks are bolted to the building and a frame then attached to these hooks, the panels are then clamped to this frame. There are a number of inline products but in essence the panel sits flush with the roof surface and doesn’t float about the roof. It is best to use an inline system when replacing a roof or building new roof.
What colour panels are there?
The time it takes to recoup the cost of a solar panel installation, often referred to as the \”payback period,\” can vary widely based on several factors. These factors include the initial cost of the system, the amount of sunlight your location receives, your energy consumption, and the incentives and electricity rates available in your area.
Solar PV money considerations
How much does a Solar PV system cost?
The cost is dependent on the type of products you’re buying and the difficulty in installing. But as a rough guideline about £1800-2000 per kWp (kilo watt peak) is not a bad yardstick to use. An average domestic sized system is about 4kWp so roughly £7200-8000. But this is a very rough figure! The cost is equivalent to the price of a new kitchen in a lot of cases.
Are there Government subsidies?
There are no direct Government subsidies as such but VAT has been reduced to 0% on Solar PV systems until 31 March 2027. One quirk on this is that if a solar battery is installed separate to a Solar PV system then VAT is applied, so the battery has to be installed at the same time as the PV to benefit from the 0% VAT rate.
How long is the payback time?
The time it takes to recoup the cost of a solar panel installation, often referred to as the \”payback period,\” can vary widely based on several factors. These factors include the initial cost of the system, the amount of sunlight your location receives, your energy consumption, and the incentives and electricity rates available in your area.
How much does a solar PV system add value to a property?
Different studies have show that adding a Solar PV system to your house can add between 0.9-4% to the value of your property. So taking a rough figure of 2% would mean that an average London house price of XXXX would be increased by XXXX.
https://www.theecoexperts.co.uk/solar-panels/property-value
How much can I get by selling the energy I make?
The time it takes to recoup the cost of a solar panel installation, often referred to as the \”payback period,\” can vary widely based on several factors. These factors include the initial cost of the system, the amount of sunlight your location receives, your energy consumption, and the incentives and electricity rates available in your area.
Batteries
Why use Solar Batteries?
The time it takes to recoup the cost of a solar panel installation, often referred to as the \”payback period,\” can vary widely based on several factors. These factors include the initial cost of the system, the amount of sunlight your location receives, your energy consumption, and the incentives and electricity rates available in your area.
What's needed in a system with Batteries?
The time it takes to recoup the cost of a solar panel installation, often referred to as the \”payback period,\” can vary widely based on several factors. These factors include the initial cost of the system, the amount of sunlight your location receives, your energy consumption, and the incentives and electricity rates available in your area.
Can I use my system as back up power if the grid goes down?
The time it takes to recoup the cost of a solar panel installation, often referred to as the \”payback period,\” can vary widely based on several factors. These factors include the initial cost of the system, the amount of sunlight your location receives, your energy consumption, and the incentives and electricity rates available in your area.
How big are Solar Batteries?
The dimensions varies from brand to brand but as a rough guide a 5kWh battery will be about 50cm x 50cm x 20cm. Then you may need an additional inverter if you’re not using a hybrid inverter (see “what is a hybrid inverter”). Batteries and inverters need space around them to passively cool typically 20-50cm. So it’s best to think of them a bit like a white appliance. The sizes will undoubtedly reduce over the time and battery technology improves.