Frequently asked questions

Yes. Solar PV works on daylight, not direct sunshine or heat, and the UK has well-established solar installations of all sizes. Output is higher in summer than in winter, and varies with location, roof orientation and shading, but a well-designed system can generate useful electricity across much of the year.

It depends on the size of the system and the site. As a broad guide, a well-oriented, unshaded system in the UK commonly generates in the region of 800 to 950 kWh per kWp of installed capacity each year. A 4 kWp domestic system could therefore produce roughly 3,200 to 3,800 kWh, although individual results vary. We give a site-specific estimate, with its assumptions, during your consultation.

Yes, but at reduced output. Panels respond to diffuse light as well as direct sunlight, so they continue to generate on overcast days, typically at a fraction of their clear-sky output.

Solar panels are commonly supplied with performance warranties of 25 years or more, and many remain in service for longer, with gradual reduction in output. Inverters usually have a shorter life, often roughly 10 to 15 years, so replacement may be needed during the life of the panels.

They can, because electricity you generate and use yourself is electricity you do not buy from your supplier. The amount you save depends on how much you use as it is generated, your tariff, the size of your system and any export payments. We do not promise a fixed saving, and we will show how any estimate has been calculated.

Many domestic rooftop installations in England fall under permitted development, which means a planning application is not needed, but conditions apply. Listed buildings, conservation areas, flats and some other properties need particular care, and the rules in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland differ. We will explain what applies to your property, and you should check with your local planning authority if there is any doubt.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) requires larger licensed electricity suppliers in Great Britain to offer a payment for low-carbon electricity you export to the grid. Tariffs and rates are set by each supplier and differ, and there are eligibility requirements, which commonly include the installation being certified under a recognised scheme. We recommend comparing tariffs before signing up.

MCS is an industry certification scheme for small-scale renewable installations. For small systems, payment for exported electricity under the Smart Export Guarantee normally requires the installation to be certified under such a scheme, and some grants have similar conditions. Electrical work is also commonly self-certified by installers registered with a competent-person scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT. Before you commit, ask any installer, including us, which registrations apply to your project, and verify them on the scheme’s own register.

Yes. Solar PV connected to the grid must be notified to, or approved by, your Distribution Network Operator. Small domestic systems are usually notified after installation, while larger systems need approval beforehand. It is part of the paperwork we manage on your behalf for projects we deliver.

Support schemes and VAT treatment for solar and related equipment change from time to time, and depend on your circumstances and the type of property. We do not assume any scheme applies to you. During your consultation we will explain what we understand to be relevant, and you should confirm the position with the relevant authority or an adviser.

It can be, for some households and businesses. A battery helps you use more of your own solar generation and, on some tariffs, shift usage to cheaper periods. It also adds cost, so whether it pays back depends on your usage, tariff and the equipment chosen. We will compare options with and without a battery.

Not normally. For safety, a standard grid-connected solar system switches off when the grid goes down. Backup during an outage requires specific equipment, usually a compatible battery and inverter with a dedicated backed-up circuit, and it will usually only supply selected loads.

For a typical home, installation on the roof often takes between one and three days, but the whole project, from consultation and design to scaffolding, grid paperwork and commissioning, takes longer. Commercial projects vary widely with scale and site conditions. We agree a programme before work begins.

They need little, but not nothing. We recommend monitoring your generation, keeping an eye on shading and obstructions, and arranging a periodic inspection of the panels, cabling and inverter. There is no single rule on frequency, and it depends on the system and its location.

Often yes. Inverters, connectors, cables, optimisers and individual panels can usually be repaired or replaced. Whether it makes sense depends on the age of the system, availability of parts and the cost involved. Check any warranty first.

In many parts of the UK, regular rainfall keeps panels reasonably clean and no routine cleaning is needed. Heavily soiled sites, such as those under trees, near farmland or with shallow pitches, may benefit from occasional professional cleaning. We will tell you if we think it is not worthwhile.

Yes. Offices, warehouses, industrial units, farms, schools and other commercial buildings with suitable roof space and daytime electricity demand are often good candidates. Commercial projects need more detailed assessment of the roof, structure, electrical supply and grid connection.

Usually, if you have off-street parking and a suitable electrical supply. The charger is a dedicated, permanently wired unit. We check your consumer unit, supply capacity and earthing arrangement before recommending a charger.

Many smart chargers offer a mode that prioritises surplus solar generation. How much of your charging can be met by solar depends on when your vehicle is at home and how much you generate.

We discuss how you use energy and what you want to achieve, review your property’s suitability and talk through the options. Where needed, we assess the property on site. You then receive a written recommendation, and a quotation if you wish to proceed.

Yes. The initial consultation is free and without obligation. Submitting an enquiry does not create a contract, and it does not guarantee that we can provide a particular service for your property.

We provide services to homes and businesses across the United Kingdom, subject to the nature of the project. Tell us your postcode area in your message and we will confirm whether we can help.