Solar Panel Installation was set up in response to growing concerns over energy costs throughout the UK. Our parent company, Skills Training Group, is a national provider of energy training courses. With our expertise in the energy niche, we have set up to provide free, impartial advice & information to homeowners and businesses who are considering installing solar to save on their electricity bills.
A solar energy system facing East or West will yield 15-20% less energy than a South-facing installation. South-facing roofs are there more beneficial and more effective to maximise savings.
A damaged roof structure can affect the installation, so it’s best to arrange an inspection and have any repairs carried out before having any panels installed.
Your roof should be unshaded between the hours of 10am and 4pm to experience the maximum benefit of solar energy systems. Early morning or late afternoon shade shouldn’t cause any issues.
When it comes to solar panels, roof size matters. Since one solar panel tends to measure about two square metres, you’ll need plenty of roof space to fit them.
The primary purpose of solar panels is to convert sunlight into electricity.
Solar panels have two main components: photovoltaic cells and conducting materials such as silicon. Working together, photovoltaic cells and conducting materials absorb direct sunlight, energise and create an electric field that is known as the photoelectric effect. Using inverter technology, solar panels pass a direct current (DC) of electricity. This energy then flows through the electrical panel of the house and is distributed as needed.
Solar installations are a great option for those who wish to reduce their electricity bills or minimize their carbon footprint. There are many other benefits to solar panels, including:
While the total savings vary per household depending on electricity consumption and usage patterns, homeowners with solar systems benefit from significant savings on their electricity bills of up to £514 per year.
Those with solar energy systems can also benefit from payments as outlined by the Small Export Guarantee (SEG) of 2020. As part of SEG, many households are paid up to £110 each year for the export of excess electricity and any electrical output that’s not used by the home and is instead fed into the national electricity grid.
Solar installations tend to last for 25 years (sometimes even longer!), making them highly effective for long-term money-saving goals. The only upkeep costs during this period are for maintenance checks and the replacement of the inverter. This can incur costs of around £800 depending on the system size and manufacturer.
If you plan to relocate in the next ten years, the finances of solar power likely won’t add up. Though it is technically possible to move the panels from one home to the next, the cost can quickly rack up with prices incredibly close to paying for a new installation. Since all solar installations are tailored to each home, it’s also likely that they would not fit or generate the energy needed for the property.
We prefer to erect our own scaffolding to ensure the safety of both you and our panel installers. The good news is that 94% of solar panel owners don’t find solar panel installations disruptive and, regardless of who erects the scaffolding, our installers work hard to install the panels effectively while keeping disruption to a minimum.
Having your own battery storage ensures that any unused energy is stored for your own use whenever you need it. If you prefer to make use of your accrued solar energy after the sun has set, you’ll need battery storage to keep you going through the dark hours. Combining solar panels and battery storage is a great way to achieve true independence from grid energy and reduce environmental impact.
It is possible to have solar panels without solar battery storage though. In this instance, your unused energy accrued will simply back into the national grid and you’ll be compensated for your contributions with payments of up £110 each year.
Examples of renewable installations include solar thermal and solar photovoltaic (solar PV) panels. They both absorb raw energy from the sun and convert it into energy. The difference lies in the type of energy created: solar thermal systems are used to heat water and air, and solar PV systems create electricity.
Many households opt to use both solar thermal and solar PV panels in tandem to combine the technologies and benefits of the two. Acting as a solar-assisted heat pump, you’ll ensure your heating, hot water and electricity consumption needs are met in the most economical and environmentally-friendly way possible.
Those that choose between the two either opt for a solar thermal heat pump installation for space efficiency or solar PV for versatility.
According to the latest estimates from the Energy Saving Trust, households with a 4.2kWh system can save between £210 and £514 each year on their electricity tariff compared to the average prices set by the energy market. Since these figures as based upon the recent October price cap rates, solar panels prove highly beneficial as a money-saving measure without needing to reduce electricity consumption.
Households with renewable installations can also receive payments of up to £110 a year from electricity suppliers for any surplus electricity that is not used by the household and instead pumped into the national electricity grid.
You can estimate your own savings using the Trust’s energy savings calculator.
Household energy bills increased by 54% in April and a further 27% in October 2022. Forecasts suggest that energy prices will remain high into 2023 with the possibility of them rising even further in 2024 and beyond as the energy market faces increasing energy demand.
Homeowners are faced with the option to drastically reduce electricity consumption or seek alternative means of electricity provision.
The costs for installation are dependent on several factors – the main of which is electricity consumption. According to Green Match, the average price for a 3kW system is between £5000 and £6000 for a 5kW system between £8000 and £9000.
While it’s often tempting to opt for the lowest price, it’s beneficial to opt for the best value for money. Solar panels are a great example of future cost-competitive electricity systems and are a long-term investment. Always be sure to your time when considering your electricity consumption and power output when choosing the most suitable system size and type for your usage patterns.
Solar installations accrue sufficient electrical power to charge electric vehicles.
Though solar panels are efficient all year round and in all weather conditions, they inevitably produce less electrical power in the winter months when there are fewer hours of daylight. That being said, solar panels can still generate sufficient electrical power during the winter months, especially when paired with battery storage.
There are no specific tax benefits for installing solar panels in a residential property in the UK. However, income received through the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme is tax-free.
Currently, there is no specific rebate for installing solar panels in a residential property in the UK. However, homeowners may be eligible for payments through the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme.
Industrial scale solar panel installations are typically smaller, privately owned systems that provide energy to a specific facility or industry. Utility scale solar panel installations are much larger and provide energy to the electric grid for distribution to multiple consumers.
Solar panels offer a clean and renewable source of energy, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and helping to lower greenhouse gas emissions. They can also provide cost savings over time as the price of solar technology continues to decrease.
