Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Planning Permission?

Not generally unless your property is a Listed Building or in a conservation area. We will check the planning status of your home as part of our paperwork process.

Do I need to inform my mortgage provider?
Yes but we will seek consent to the proposed installation from your mortgage provider on your behalf.
 
Do I need consent from my home insurance company?

We will inform your insurer of the proposed installation as part of our paperwork process.

How can you afford to install the solar panels on my home for free?

As the owner of the panels we will be paid for the electricity they generate under the Government’s Feed in Tariff (FIT) scheme and this income pays for the financing of the panels over the 25 year duration of the scheme.

Will I own the panels?

Not during the FIT period but at the end of the FIT scheme ownership will transfer to you and you will continue to receive free electricity through the expected 35-40 year life of the system.

Can we purchase the system at any point?

No we don’t sell our systems as our financing arrangements are based on receiving the FIT payments on a long term basis to recoup our investment.

What happens if the Government stops the FIT scheme?

Every free solar installation is issued with a FIT agreement at the time of installation that guarantees the FIT payments for 25 years. Depending on the take-up of FITs to fund renewable energy investment, the Government may stop FIT funding at some point in the future but this would have absolutely no effect on existing installations.

What is a suitable roof for solar panels?

Our 12 panel system requires about 24m2 of roof area and needs to be clear of obstructions and facing between +/- 300 of due south. The roof also needs to have a pitch between 230 and 450 (most houses are in this range) and have little or no shading from trees or adjacent properties to its southern aspect. The roof structure also needs to be in good condition but this will be thoroughly checked by our expert technical surveyors.

How much weight will the solar panels put on my roof?

The solar panels weigh about 20KG each including their mounting frame and the loading falls well within building regulations for most houses. Our engineers will check your roof is strong enough as part of our installation process and also inform Building Control about your installation.

How much free electricity will be generated?

Our 2.8KW systems will generate around 2,450 KWh (units) of electricity per year.

How do I know how much electricity is being generated?

Our free solar installations are all provided with a mobile wireless display unit that shows you the output of the system in real time. The unit will also show you how much has been generated over the past hour/day/month etc and will help you plan your electricity usage to maximise your cost savings.

How do I know I am using the free electricity?

The system automatically ensures that when it is generating free electricity you use it first. If you are using more electricity than the panels are generating you will automatically use the additional requirement from your normal supplier.

How much money will I save from using the free electricity?

The amount of money you actually save will depend on your overall energy usage and how and when you use electricity. You will maximise your savings if you use appliances such as washing machine and dryers during the day or you set timers to switch them on if you are out. Always remember that the estimated savings are based on current electricity prices but they will increase directly in line with the expected increases in future energy costs.

Will I need to provide meter readings?

No – all our systems are fitted with a generation meter located in your loft that automatically sends us your meter reading over the mobile phone network. This system also allows us to know if any faults occur and schedule maintenance visits accordingly.

What if something goes wrong with the panels?

Solar panels are now a proven and mature technology and they are guaranteed by the manufacturer for 25 years. In the unlikely event of a problem we will be alerted by our remote monitoring system and will organise a maintenance visit at a convenient time to suit you. All of the maintenance costs are covered by us and at no point during the FIT period will you have anything to pay.

What happens if I don’t use all the electricity generated?

It will automatically be fed back into the grid.

How long does it take to install the solar panels?

Installations are usually completed in one day but we will need to scaffold the southern aspect of your home immediately prior to the installation day. The scaffold will be removed once the installation is complete and fully tested.

How much electricity does the inverter use?

During daylight hours the inverter uses the electricity being produced by the panels. During the night or at any time the panels are not producing electricity the inverter is in stand-by mode and consumes less than 1W of electricity - which is negligible when compared with say a 60W light bulb.