Choose Solar Panels for Green Energy in the UK

Did you know that 85% of the buildings in the UK are suitable for the installation of solar panels? It’s a fact that surprises many people, especially those who believe that you need lots of bright, warm sunny days to generate solar electricity reliably. In fact, statistics on solar PV systems show that Germany, with a climate nearly identical to that of the UK, generates more of its electricity through solar panels than any other country in the world. Despite the UK’s reputation for misty, moist days, it has everything needed to make excellent use of solar PV technology.

Facts About Solar Panels

If you’ve never considered how solar panels can affect your use of electricity and your pocketbook, these facts about solar PV systems may help you make up your mind.

Chances are that your roof is a good place to install solar panels. The requirements for a solar installation are quite simple. Your building needs to have a relatively un-shaded roof that faces south, east or west and is pitched between 20 and 60 degrees. It must also be strong enough to support the weight of the solar PV installation.

The biggest challenge in determining if your roof is suitable for solar panels is the amount of sunlight it receives. Clouds don’t matter, but nearby buildings, trees and land formations do. Solar panel installers are trained to evaluate the benefit you’d get from installing a solar PV system on your roof, including determining obstructions that might reduce the efficiency of your system.

The typical UK household can generate up to 50% of the electricity it uses through solar panels. The exact amount of electricity you’ll get will vary depending upon how much electricity you use and when you use it. For example, if you or your family is home most of the day and using electrical appliances, your use percentage will be higher than if you’re only home in the evenings and most of your electricity usage is after dark.

The most common type of solar PV system installed in the UK is a grid-tied system. That means that you’ll still be connected to the traditional electrical grid, which will supply electricity for your needs when your solar panels don’t generate enough – for example, at night, when there is no sunlight.

You can reduce your monthly electricity bill by as much as 50% when you install solar panels because every unit of electricity your solar panels generate is a unit of electricity you don’t have to buy.

Your solar panels can generate income for you. If your solar PV system qualifies for the Feed-In Tariff scheme run by the government, you’ll be paid for every unit of electricity generated by your solar system, even the electricity that you use in your own home.

Interested in knowing more? Contact a local solar panels distributor and schedule a consultation to get all of your questions answered.

Finding a Reputable Solar Panels Installer

Installing solar panels on the roof has become a popular way for property owners to reduce their energy costs and do some good for the planet at the same time. With the government offering to kick in on the costs of installation and pay owners to generate  electricity with solar panels, many companies have spotted the opportunity to make some dosh – and they’re not all of the best quality.

The solar PV business is at the same place now as the double-glazed windows business was ten years ago – and it has attracted many of the same profiteers. There are, however, ways that you can ensure that you’re doing business with a reputable installer of solar panels and avoid the companies that will take your money and install a shoddy product – or worse, none at all. These tips can help you choose a reputable company to install your solar panels.

Don’t work with companies that won’t answer your questions on the phone. If you call with questions and the company insists on sending around a sales person or “surveyor” to answer them, politely hang up and call another company. Legitimate solar PV companies will answer questions about the kinds of systems they install and other technical questions without sending a salesman round to the house.

Be wary of solar panels salespeople that offer you large discounts on their “original” price. Those discounts are either taken on a hugely inflated price, or may be on non-existent systems.

Also be wary of companies that offer free installation and a free solar PV system in return for your right to collect your payments from the government. You’ll be giving up 25 years of income from your solar panels. They wouldn’t be making the offer if there wasn’t a hefty profit in it for them.

Remember that the law gives you time to change your mind about any contract you sign in your home. Always read over the contracts carefully – many of them include a clause waiving your right to cancel the contract. If you find such a clause, send the salesman packing and find another installer for your solar PV system.

Be cynical about companies that push “quick payback” on your solar panels or that make unrealistic claims about the amount of money you can save or receive. Research the subject enough to know what’s realistic for your home and your area and avoid doing business with companies that seem to be promising much more than that.

Solar panels offer an excellent source of low-cost electricity for your home. Solar PV systems are expected to last at least 30 years, and there are credible reports of solar panels installed in the 1960s still working, so your investment is a long-term one. Make sure that you do business with a solar PV company that’s in it for the long haul.

Requirements for Installing Solar Panels

Microgeneration systems like solar panels can qualify you for regular payments from the government. In an effort to reduce the amount of electricity generated by polluting and outdated power plants, the government has instituted a scheme to pay property owners for generating their own electricity with small systems, including solar PV systems that are rated for as little as 1 kWh of electricity. The Feed-in Tariff scheme, commonly called the FiTS, pays you for every kWh of electricity that your system generates. In order to benefit from this program, though, your property needs to meet certain requirements.

Orientation

Most solar PV systems in the UK are installed on rooftops, largely because that real estate is mostly unused. In order to benefit from solar panels on your roof, your roof must be facing in the right direction. The best orientation for solar panels is south, so if your roof faces south, your solar PV system will be able to make the most efficient use of energy from the sun. However, southwest and southeast facing roofs are also suitable for solar panels, and, depending on where in the UK you are located, even roofs that face east or west will provide you with some energy generation.

Angle

The pitch of your roof is also important in gathering the rays of the sun, which your solar panels will convert into electricity for your use. The correct pitch varies from place to place around the world. In the UK, the most efficient pitches for solar PV systems is 30 to 50 degrees, though systems installed on roofs with a pitch as low as 20 degrees and as high as 60 degrees can generate sufficient electricity to make them worth installing. In addition, some solar system companies will install solar panels on an A-frame to pitch them at the correct angle for solar generation.

Size

Solar panels can take up a lot of space on your roof, but the exact amount of space depends on the type of panels used. Some types of solar panels can generate more electricity from smaller units, while others – often less expensive – require larger panels to generate sufficient electricity. A solar PV installer can tell you whether your roof is large enough and strong enough to support a solar PV system.

Shadow

The final part of the equation is unrestricted sunlight for most of the day. In order to generate enough electricity to make installation worthwhile, you must have a section of roof that is not shadowed for any part of the day. Again, a solar system installer is the best judge of whether your roof receives enough sunlight unrestricted by shadows from nearby objects.

The DECC estimates that over 80 percent of the rooftops in the UK are suitable for a solar PV system. To find out if you can benefit from the savings provided by solar panels, contact a local solar installer and schedule a consultation.

Who Should Install Your Solar Panels?

Once you’ve decided that a solar PV system is definitely in your future, you have another very important decision to make – who can you trust to install your solar panels on your roof? The demand for solar panels has brought a lot of the usual suspects out of the woodwork – you know the usual suspects. They’re the individuals and companies that jump onto every new money-making proposition with the intent of squeezing as much profit as possible out of it by providing substandard systems. A few years back, they were selling blacktops for your drives and walks, then double-glazed windows, then conservatories – now they’re on to solar panels and solar PV systems.

Other companies are offering free installation on free solar panels, and all they’re asking of you is that you sign your right to collect payments from the Feed-in Tariff system over to them. How do you decide among the many solar PV installers you can trust to give you honest information and install high quality solar panels properly on your roof? These tips can help you evaluate how much you can trust the solar PV system installer standing at your door.

Be Wary of Solar Companies That Contact You Directly

With the demand for solar panels so high, reputable companies don’t have to send out spammy emails or paper your neighborhood with flyers to attract business. That’s not to say that any solar PV company that does direct sales is dishonest, but if someone comes door-knocking without an invitation, be sure to take a closer look at their credentials.

Avoid Companies That use High Pressure Sales Tactics

The REAL Assurance Scheme offers a list of high pressure sales tactics that should sound a warning alarm. Members of the REAL scheme agree to abide by certain standards and practices, including agreeing to refrain from invasive and aggressive sales tactics. For example, REAL says that most solar evaluations and sales presentations should last no more than about 2 hours. If a salesman outstays that by a lot, and uses the time to push you for a decision to buy or your signature on a contract today, toss him out on his ear and call another company to install your solar panels.

Ask About Credentials and Licensing

Find out what licenses and credentials are required to install solar panels in your county or township and then check to make sure your solar panels installer has the proper credentials.

Work With Knowledgeable People

The representative who comes to evaluate your property for a solar PV installation should be knowledgeable enough to answer all of your questions and explain the particulars in a way that you can understand. If you’re left with questions or told not to concern yourself, run, don’t walk, for another solar PV installation company.

Consider What You’ll be Giving Up if You Choose a Free Installation Company

Energy experts estimate that the return on solar panels could amount to several thousand pounds over the course of 25 years. When you sign a contract handing over your Feed-In Tariff payments, you’re signing away a guaranteed income stream that has been rated one of the best investments in the country.

Solar PV installation is a cash cow for a lot of unscrupulous operators. Before you choose someone to install your solar panels, be sure to research the company and only sign a contract when you’re certain of its honesty and ability.

Why Solar Panels Make Sense As Well As Cents

The big news about solar panels for the past several months has been on how they can save you money and provide a stream of income that outweighs the original investment. Even in the face of planned reductions in the Feed-in Tariff Scheme, experts estimate that most people who install solar PV systems will completely recover their investment within 8 to 10 years. That’s a rather short space of time to realize ROI, but the figure only tells part of the story.

In fact, you’ll start reaping the benefits of your solar PV system immediately, including the monetary benefits. Consider that you’re not actually waiting 8 to 10 years to get your money back on your solar PV system – you’re getting money back each month in the form of lower payments to your electric supplier and payments from the Feed-in Tariff.

Depending on how you elect to pay the cost of your solar panels and its installation, you could be seeing a reduction in your monthly expenses immediately. If, for example, you pay for your entire solar system in cash out of your savings, you’ll have more cash in your budget every month from the very start. If you finance, you have to count your loan payment against the income and savings, but as you pay off the loan, you’ll see substantial monthly cash flow savings. While that’s not the same as return on your investment, the ease in cash flow can still be a significant factor in your decision.

Solar panels also make sense for many other reasons. Solar PV systems provide totally clean energy, which is good for the planet. The more of our electricity that comes from solar PV, the less has to be generating by burning carbon fuels. The overall carbon savings may not seem like much on an individual basis, but when they’re taken in combination with all the other solar panels in the UK, it’s a significant reduction in the amount of pollution filling the air.

According to the Department of Energy and Climate Control, about 80 percent of the buildings in the UK, including most residential buildings, have a suitable roof space for installing solar panels. In order to benefit from a solar PV installation, you need a roof that faces south, west or east – with south being preferable. It should have a pitch of between 20 and 60 degrees, with the preference being between 30 and 50 degrees. Roofs with lesser pitches may benefit with the help of frames that angle the solar panels. Finally, it should be free of shadows for most of the day.

You can learn whether your property is suitable for installing solar panels and find out how much you could benefit by contacting a local company that installs solar PV systems. They’ll be happy to come out to your home and do an evaluation.

Six Questions to Ask Before Buying Solar Panels

Solar PV systems offer more than inexpensive electricity, though that’s certainly one of the more attractive features of solar panels. When you switch from using electricity from a gas or coal-fired power plant to electricity supplied by your own solar PV system, you also take a step toward energy independence and help increase both national security and your own self-sufficiency. With the UK government subsidizing the use of grid-tied solar PV systems through the Feed-in Tariff Scheme, there’s never been a better time to buy solar panels and install a solar PV system to generate at least part of the electricity you use.

At the same time, solar PV systems represent a significant investment for the property owner – not an unreasonable one, considering the return you’ll get from your solar panels. Before you sign a contract with a solar contractor, you should ask a few important questions.

Will Your Solar PV System be Installed by a Certified Installer Under the Supervision of an Experienced and Licensed Electrician?

Solar PV systems are not toys, and the current can kill. The trend toward DIY installation has left a lot of people believing that anyone can install solar panels. In fact, it’s important that the people who install your solar PV system be licensed and certified. And if safety isn’t enough to convince you, consider this: if your system isn’t installed by a credentialed installer, you won’t qualify for the Feed-in Tariff Scheme.

What Type of Components Will the Solar Installation Company Use?

The quality of the components has a direct effect on the durability, usability and output power of your solar panels. The best solar panels are rated to a number +5%-0%, which have been tested to produce at least their rated power, plus additional wattage. That’s a boon for the homeowner, who’ll reap the extra wattage in electricity savings.

Is Your Solar PV Contractor a Member of the REAL Assurance Scheme?

The REAL Assurance Scheme is a membership organization that holds solar installers to high standards and functions as a watchdog for companies that use shady business practices or do poor quality work. Check with the REAL Assurance Scheme to learn about your installer’s history.

Is the Company That Will Install Your Solar Panels Properly Licensed and Permitted?

Check with your local planning and zoning board to find out what licenses and registrations are required for someone to install solar PV systems in your area, and then check to make sure that your installer has the proper permits and licenses.

Does the Company That Will Install Your Solar PV System Participate in Ongoing Training and Education?

The solar industry is constantly evolving and changing, with new products and methods being introduced frequently. Don’t be afraid to ask your contractor what kind of ongoing training the workmen and installers receive. It will guarantee that the people who install your solar panels will know the most up-to-date methods.

Does the Company That Will be Doing the Actual Installation Work Carry Liability Insurance?

This is vital for your protection. If an accident occurs and one of the workmen is injured, you could be held liable. Likewise, if something happens and your house is damaged, you may have no recourse if the company doesn’t carry liability insurance.

Solar panels can help you increase your energy independence, lower your electric bills and help reduce the strain we put on the planet. Being altruistic shouldn’t stop you from making sure that you’re properly protected and that your solar PV system is installed properly.

7 Things to Know Before You Buy Solar Panels

Are you considering buying a solar PV system for your electricity? First, congratulations and thank you very much. You’re doing something that’s important for the environment and the planet – but you’re also going to be saving yourself a nice lot of cash. Before you plunk down your hard-earned dough, though, there are a few things you should know about solar panels and solar PV systems.

Solar technology has improved dramatically in the past decade or so. Today’s solar panels have remarkably good efficiency, and can convert more than 20 percent of the energy that strikes their surface into usable electricity.

You won’t need batteries for your solar PV system if you choose a grid-tied model. Grid-tied systems are set up to use the electricity generated by your solar panels when it’s available, and draw from your electricity company at night or when you need more than your system is producing.

If you produce more electricity than you can use, the excess will be fed into the grid for use by others. The electricity produced by your solar PV system will never go to waste, even if you’re not using it all yourself.

A grid-tied solar PV system also allows you to participate in the Feed-In Tariff Scheme, which pays you for every kilowatt hour of electricity provided by your solar panels. That applies to the electricity you use yourself. You’ll also receive an additional payment for every kilowatt hour of excess electricity that you feed into the grid. That’s even better than getting free electricity.

The amount of your tariff is guaranteed for 25 years. You may have heard a lot lately about planned reductions to the FiTS and thought to yourself, “Aha! I knew it was too good to be true.” The truth is this: those who have already installed solar PV systems and registered them for the FiTS will continue to get the higher payment rate that was in force when they installed their solar panels. Likewise, the amount of the tariff you receive when you register your solar panels is guaranteed to stay at that amount or above for 25 years.

Solar panels last for up to 30 years. The only maintenance you’ll have to do is to hose them down a couple of times each summer to keep their faces clear of dirt and debris, which will reduce their efficiency. You may have to replace the inverter, which converts the current from your solar panels to electricity that you can use in your home, after about 15 years.

A solar PV system will add to the value of your home. In fact, you can expect to recover up to 72 percent of your initial layout in increased home value. That’s an incredibly high return on your investment compared to most home improvements.

Installing solar panels in your home represents a hefty investment, but the return on a solar PV system is well worth it, both in terms of returns to your wallet and more intangible returns, such as the good feeling you get from increasing your energy independence.

Six Questions About Solar Panels You May Be Embarrassed to Ask

With all the focus on solar panels and solar PV systems over the past few years, we’ve seen a lot of questions and myths get repeated here, there and everywhere around the web. It’s natural for people to have questions about solar electricity, especially if they’re considering sinking a significant amount of money into putting an array of solar panels up on their roofs. The unfortunate side effect of having so much misinformation about solar PV floating around, though, is that people assume that they know the answer to some pretty basic questions about the way that solar energy works – or worse, they’re embarrassed to ask what sounds like a simple question to which everybody else already knows the answer. If you’ve been keeping your questions about solar energy and solar PV systems to yourself because you’re embarrassed to ask – or for any other reason – you might find the answer here.

Do Solar PV Panels Work in the Rain?

Yes. Many people assume that solar panels need direct sunlight to generate electricity. While they’ll produce the most electricity with direct sunlight, all they really need is natural daylight. Just like you can still get a nasty sunburn on a cloudy day, a solar PV installation can still produce electricity with cloud cover – and even in the rain.

How About at Night?

No. As noted above, solar panels require daylight to produce electricity. However, most solar panels will produce more electricity than you’re actually able to use at the time it’s generated. That’s why most people choose to either tie their new solar PV system to the grid or add a storage battery to their solar system. A grid-tied system will feed the excess power into the electrical grid so that others can use it – and you’ll be paid for it – and allow you to draw power from the grid when your solar panels aren’t actually producing enough electricity for your needs – such as at night. A storage battery will store any excess energy generated by your solar PV system so that you can draw on it at night and when you need more energy than your system is producing.

Do Solar Panels Make a Lot of Noise?

Solar panels are 100% silent. They have no mechanical or moving parts to make any noise. They just rest on your rooftop and collect daylight to do their work.

Will my Solar Panels Work in the Winter When it’s Cold?

Absolutely. Temperature has no effect at all on the workings of a solar panel. In fact, solar panels are a popular method of energy generation in Alaska. The only real problem for a solar system in the winter is snow – as long as daylight can reach the panels, they’ll generate electricity, so you may have to clear snow away from them in winter.

Will a Solar PV System Heat my Water?

No. Solar PV systems generate electricity. If you want to heat your hot water with the sun, you’ll need a thermal solar system.

Do Solar Panels Need to be Cleaned?

Occasionally. Solar panels are most efficient when they’re clean, so you should clean them on occasion. Most experts recommend an annual cleaning, though it may be a little more often if you live in an area where there’s a lot of soot or pollution in the air.

If you have other questions about solar panels or solar PV systems, call a local business that installs solar energy systems in your area. They’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have, no matter how silly they may seem to you.

Finding a Good Installer for Your Solar Panels

When you decide to switch to cleaner, greener solar panels to supply part of your energy needs, it’s important to choose a reliable, reputable installer. Proper installation is a vital part of getting the most from your solar PV installation, and poor installation can cause all sorts of problems. People who have contracted with the wrong solar company have reported all sorts of issues to the REAL Assurance Scheme, a member organization of solar panel installers who agree to abide by certain standards. Those problems range from inconvenience during the installation to major damage to their roof. If you want to avoid problems and ensure that your solar panels are high quality and installed properly, be sure that you follow these tips when choosing an installer for your solar PV system.

Ask the Installer About Certification

If you intend to participate in the Feed-in Tariff Scheme, you must choose an installer that is accredited and registered with the MCS (Microgeneration Cerfification Scheme). Check the registration to be sure that you’ll be able to participate in the scheme. You can also check to see if the company you want to use is a registered member of the REAL Assurance Scheme. Every REAL member agrees to adhere to high standards in both the products they use and their installation methods.

Be Careful of Companies That Offer Free Solar Panels

Many UK companies are offering free solar panels and installation in return for the right to claim your FITS payments. It may be tempting, but most experts agree that you’ll do better to pay for the panels and the installation and benefit from the payments for the next 25 years. In general, even at the proposed reduced rates, you’ll get enough of a return on your solar panels to pay for the installation within 10 years, but you’ll continue to receive payments from the FITS for a full 25 years.

Check With REAL Assurance for Complaints About the Company

REAL Assurance fields complaints about solar panel installers throughout the UK. Before you sign a contract with any company, check with the REAL Assurance Scheme to find out if there have been complaints lodged against the company and how or if they have been resolved.

Ask for References – and Check Them

Ask the solar PV installers you talk to if they will provide you with references from others who’ve had solar panels installed by them. Don’t be satisfied with letters of satisfaction or testimonials – insist on being able to contact former customers and speak to them directly.

Be sure that you choose a reputable, reliable company to install your solar panels and you’ll reap the benefits for decades to come.