Domestic Solar Energy

There's help available to get solar panels installed in your home, but you usually need to be on certain benefits or have a low income to be eligible. What each scheme offers, and its eligibility criteria varies:

• The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme

• Home Upgrade Grant

• Warmer Home Nest Scheme Wales

• Home Energy Scotland Grants and Loans

Under the ECO4 scheme, eligible homeowners or private tenants who receive an income-based benefit and whose property is deemed non-efficient (EPC RATING E-G) may be eligible for free Solar Panel installation which can help you generate your own electricity and save up to 70% on your energy bills.

Also, the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme allows all homeowners with Solar Panels installed (up to 5MW capacity), to receive payment for selling surplus energy back to the grid.

South-facing rooftops, benefit the most from a solar panel installation, as they are exposed to sunlight for the longest period of time. They also see the sun when it’s at its highest intensity, meaning that solar panels on a south-facing roof will generate the most solar energy. However, this doesn’t mean if your roof faces another direction you still wouldn’t benefit from having solar panels installed.

East and West-facing roofs are also suitable for solar panels and will still see a good deal of green energy generation throughout the course of the day. East or West facing installations only tend to lose around 15% of generation.

It is only North-facing roofs that are completely not recommended. This also doesn’t mean you can’t install a PV system if you have a flat roof. In fact, flat roofs are often ideal as they allow for a more flexible design. This is because installers can use mounts to angle the Solar Panels at the optimal angle. If in doubt, just get in touch and our design team can carry out a home visit for a survey of your roof.

Not everyone’s home or business is suitable for Solar. Your suitability for Solar Panels depends on four factors:

• Your current electricity consumption.

• The Pitch, Orientation and Space available on your roof.

• If there is any shading.

• The irradiance level of your location.

To find out if your property is eligible for solar get in touch! One of our Solar experts will be able to help advise you.

In most instances, planning permission isn’t required when installing Solar Panels, as they are classified as “Permitted Developments” (PD). However, in order for Solar Panels to classify as PD they must meet the following requirements:

• The Solar Panels must not be installed above the highest point of the property (not including chimneys).

• They must be installed in a way that makes the least visual impact to the property and surrounding area.

• The Solar Panels must not protrude more than 200mm from the surface of your roof.

If your property is a listed building or located within a conversation area, it is likely that planning permission will be required. One of our Solar experts will be able to advise you if you are unsure.

Mono-crystalline: Mono-crystalline Solar panels are seen as the more premium panel, due to their high efficiency and darker/black appearance. A Mono-crystalline solar panel is made up of single-crystal silicon, meaning that the electron can generate more electricity as they can flow more freely. As they use the highest purity of silicon they are more efficient, with a higher power output than polycrystalline panels.

Polycrystalline: Polycrystalline solar panels alternatively have a lower efficiency, at a more affordable price point. The Solar Panels are made up of fragments of silicon crystal that have been melted together to make wafers and are mostly recognised by their blue-speckled finish.