Here is a rundown of our process. It’s a simple 8 step process that has helped us install solar panels on the roofs of thousands of homes, schools, churches and businesses all across London and the UK.
- You fill out our form or call us to share some more information about your property.
- We take your information and establish if your property is suitable for solar panel installation.
- Once we have checked eligibility, we get to work on establishing which is the best roof on your building to install the solar panels.
- Once we understand which roof and the sqft available to us, we will provide options on how much wattage can be generated per sq metre on the roof.
- Our team will then share with you your energy score and quotation.
- Once we have confirmation on your quotation, we will arrange a suitable date and time to send our certified IRATA abseilers to your property to install the solar panels - no scaffolding required here!
- As we have over 20 years experience as roofers, once the solar panel installation is complete, we will carry out a full roof diagnosis free of charge to inform you of any leaks, broken tiles or other damage to your roof. We will share this information with you in a report.
- Finally, we’ll send our team of grid connectors to carry out their final checks and connect you to the grid.
Determining if your property is suitable for solar panels involves assessing several key factors:
- Local weather conditions: Areas with higher sunlight exposure generally yield better solar power output. The local climate, such as frequent cloudy or foggy conditions, can impact the efficiency of solar panels.
- Orientation and positioning: The direction your roof faces (ideally south-facing in the Northern Hemisphere) and its angle are crucial for maximising sunlight exposure.
- Shading: Nearby trees, buildings or hills that cast shadows can significantly reduce the effectiveness of solar panels.
- Roof condition and space: The condition, size, and type of your roofing material also play a role. Solar panels are most effective on strong, durable roofs with enough space to accommodate them.
Before moving forward, we’ll conduct a detailed assessment, including a review of your utility bills, to estimate potential energy savings and return on investment. This comprehensive approach helps ensure that your property is a good candidate for solar energy.
Solar panels work by converting sunlight into electricity through a process called the photovoltaic effect. Here's a simplified explanation:
- Absorption of sunlight: Solar panels contain photovoltaic (PV) cells, which absorb sunlight.
- Conversion to electricity: The energy from the sunlight causes electrons in the PV cells to become excited and move freely. This movement of electrons generates direct current (DC) electricity.
- Conversion to usable power: The DC electricity is then routed to an inverter, which converts it into alternating current (AC) electricity, the form used by most household appliances.
- Powering your home: AC electricity is either used to power your home or, if surplus, is fed back into the power grid.
In the UK, any excess energy generated can be sent back to the grid, often earning you credits or reducing your utility bills. This system ensures that your home can be powered by renewable energy and contributes to reducing the overall demand for fossil fuels.
Installing solar panels on your home in the UK offers several substantial benefits:
Sustainability
Solar energy is green, renewable, and clean, contributing to reduced carbon emissions. By choosing solar, you are helping to combat climate change and reduce your ecological footprint.
Lower energy bills
Solar panels allow you to generate your own electricity from the sun, significantly cutting down on the amount of energy you need to buy from the grid. This can lead to considerable savings, especially as energy prices rise.
Return on investment
Although the initial setup cost may be significant, solar panels are a long-term investment. They often pay for themselves over time through savings on your energy bills, and can continue providing free electricity for over 25 years.
Energy independence
By generating your own electricity, you reduce your dependency on utility companies and protect yourself against future energy price increases. This can be a form of financial security, as you're less affected by external energy price fluctuations.
Power your car
If you own an electric vehicle, solar panels can be integrated with an electric charging point to power your car at no cost, offering further savings and convenience.
If your roof is in good condition and the panels are installed correctly there will be no damage to your roof. It is important to seek a reputable provider who can assess the quality of your roof before installation begins to ensure the solar panels can be installed safely.
The longevity of your solar panels will vary depending on the variety you install and the surrounding environment. On average, polycrystalline panels can last 20 to 35 years, while monocrystalline panels will last up to 40 years.
The number of batteries you will need will ultimately vary depending on your usage and how you use your solar panels.
Typically, you should only need one to two solar batteries for a typical UK home connected to the national grid. If you are looking to go entirely off grid, you will need around 8-12 batteries to ensure you have enough energy in reserve.
Solar panels should be cleaned every six to twelve months to ensure optimal efficiency. The frequency at which solar panels need cleaning will vary depending on the degree of dirt and pollution in the location the solar panels are fitted.
Regular cleaning can improve efficiency by up to 21% in residential applications and up to 60% in commercial settings.