Frequently Asked Questions

The solar energy systems that we install are specifically designed for the UK climate and work well all year round, including the winter months. Obviously the optimum efficiency time is during the summer months when the daylight hours are longer, but they can still supply you with some of your energy needs during the winter.

Sunlight is free – so once you’ve paid for the solar panel installation, you save money on your energy bills – and can even sell your surplus energy and battery capacity to the energy grid.

By generating and using your own solar energy – instead of power from the National Grid – you can make significant savings on your electricity bills. The Energy Saving Trust calculator estimates that a typical 4kWp solar panel system can knock between £600-£900 off your annual bill with the Smart Export Guarantee SEG depending on where you live.

Using battery storage alongside your solar panels can further increase your savings – because a battery will store the surplus energy that you produce, so you can use it when the sun goes down instead of drawing it from the Grid.

*Example of annual savings based in Manchester with SEG (Sept 2020): energysavingtrust.org.uk/renewable-energy/electricity/solar-panels

Photovoltaic (PV) systems do generate electricity, which can be used in your home as well as being fed back into the national grid for others to use. Solar heated hot water systems do not provide electricity, but do supply up to 70% of your year round hot water needs.

Yes, but only when incorporated into an underfloor heating system. The Energy Minder will increase the efficiency of your current heating system by up to 25%.

Yes. We offer a full parts and labour warranty for 2 years, which can be extended once it expires, plus any applicable manufacturers’ warranties, which may be longer. In the unlikely event that anything goes wrong with your system contact us immediately and we will work as quickly as possible to resolve any issues. Click here to contact us for more information.

You could expect a system to be working in 20-25 years time as they are designed to withstand our climate with very little deterioration.

This installation of a renewable energy system is usually considered a permitted development under Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, and permission is not normally needed.

Exceptions to this are if you live in a conservation area or an area of outstanding natural beauty where permission may be required, depending on where you intend to site the solar panels.

Yes. Systems have been successfully installed on Grade 1 and Grade 2 listed buildings. It is important to look for an inconspicuous site when considering solar energy options.

If you move home your system can be moved to the new property, subject to compatibility. Click here to contact us if you have any further questions, or wish to find out more.

You could cut 100 tonnes of carbon.

Imagine you’re on a return flight from London to New York. You’ve just generated 986kg CO2 – per passenger, not the whole plane. Think about how much carbon the aircraft you’re in is emitting into the atmosphere. Now times that by 100. That’s how much carbon you can cut by simply using solar energy over a 30-year period.

100 tonnes of carbon wiped clean off your carbon footprint and out of our planet’s atmosphere. Surprised? That’s the power of solar.

• The average UK household produces 8.1 tonnes of CO2 a year
• 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions come from households
• Half of your home’s carbon footprint is made of the energy you use