Frequently asked questions

There many questions our experts are often asked and we’ve compiled some of these FAQs below. If you find you still have a question you’d like to ask our friendly team, please do get in touch with us and one of the team members will be more than happy to help.

Solar energy takes advantage of the sun’s rays to generate heat or electricity. It is an infinitely renewable resource and unique for its ability to generate energy in a quiet, clean, and consistent manner.

In layperson terms, photovoltaic cells are comprised of a semiconductor material such as silicon. Added to the silicon are the elements phosphorous and boron which create conductivity within the cell and activate the movement of electrons. The electrons move across the cell when activated by the sunlight’s energy into the electrical circuit hooked up to the solar panel.

This varies depending on the amount of panels you require

Of course this is a relative question. It depends, in part, on how much electricity you use and how efficient the appliances are that you operate. That said expect to generate excess electricity in the summer (when days are long) which can potentially offset the energy you use from the grid in the winter. A combination of energy efficient appliances and light bulbs can help reduce your homes energy bill by over two-thirds.

Find out more about the costs and potential savings from a residential solar power system in our Calculator Payback section.

Solar photovoltaic panels require little or no maintenance – no need to wash or dust. It is, however, important to place panels where they will remain clear of shade and debris. Solar hot water collection arrays don’t need much attention either. It does help to periodically use a window wash brush, biodegradable soap, and water to clean the tubes.

In many cases installing solar panels on domestic land is likely to be considered ‘permitted development’ with no need to apply to the council for planning permission.

The Majority of homes are suitable for solar. Feel free to get in touch for more info.
The UK receives, on average, 60% of the solar energy that the equator receives, which works out at between 900 kWh and 1,300 kWh per Kw installed on your roof per year depending on just how sunny it is!
A 4kW system can generate approx. 3600kW Hrs per year. The savings are made from your electricity bill, so using as much of the power you generate is the ultimate goal.
The average household consumption is 3000 kWh per year. Thus on average, our smallest 1kW system could supply nearly 25% of your electricity over the course of the year, depending on your consumption rates and it may be possible to do more, by carefully reducing your energy use.
It would take an average household around 7 years to recoup its investment, however we have seen payback times of less than 6 years on certain properties, and as the feed in tariff runs for a guaranteed 20 years your investment will continue to provide returns into the future.The panels are proven to last 30 – 40 years in the UK as well. By installing solar panels you are protecting yourself against energy price rises for the next 10, 20 & even 30 years, & by installing now you are benefiting from lower product & installation costs.
Unfortunately the indicators are that prices will rise. As a recent Financial Times article points out, the cost of energy, resources, materials and manufacturing is rising globally. It’s likely that solar panels will never be cheaper than they are now as future panels and installations will consist of inputs {energy + materials} that cost far more than today. Although we do our best to keep prices reasonable, there are customers we have given quotes to over 2 years ago, who put it off waiting for the prices to drop, and now wish that they had invested earlier, as the cost has, in fact, increased.
The system does take a lot of roof space, as each panel measures (approximately) 1m by 2m, and you would need at least 4 of them to make a 1 kw System. Solar panels can be installed within your garden area using ‘A’ frames, facing south, if roof space is a problem, or why not take a look at our alternative products that do not require as much space?
In short, yes. Solar panels work by converting the photons in sunlight to electrons ( electricity). Photons are able to penetrate thin to medium thickness clouds, so that even on overcast days they are still able to reach your panels & generate electricity. However when there is a large amount of thick cloud in the sky, the panels will not function as a very limited amount of photons will be able to pass through.
The biggest part of a solar installation is the panels, aside from this we will need either some space in your loft, under the stairs, or in your garage or basement, to install the small amount of internal equipment.
Many solar companies claim to send surveyors to your home, but really they are only salesmen. We offer a fixed price solution with no hidden extras. This is the reason we can beat any like for like quotation.
We know our solar panels are the best because they have been shown to outperform any of our competitors’ products. As well as this, all of our panels come with a guarantee that they will produce 90% of their rated power output for 10 years, and 80% of their rated power output for 25 years. All workmanship carried out by ourselves is guaranteed for two years also.
As with anything in life, you get what you pay for, so a cheap option will undoubtedly will be a false economy were longevity and performance is concerned. We’re confident that our exclusive solar panel technologies offer unrivalled premium quality without premium prices. That’s why we stand behind our pv solar panels with a full 25 year guarantee on performance. All of our installers are MCS accredited, so you can be sure you are receiving quality, sound advice.
× Chat via WhatsApp