Find out what happens to your home when solar panels have been installed.
It’s not as disruptive as you might think. Actually, 94% of those who own solar panels in our survey didn’t find it disruptive to get them installed.
Check your home to make sure it is suitable for solar panel installation. Also, check whether you require planning permission.
How long does it usually take to install solar panel?
Scaffolding is required if solar panels are to be mounted on your roof.
After the scaffolding is in place, the panels can be installed within a matter of days. Roofers will attach the fixing brackets to the roof rafters. A proper surveyor should inspect the loft to ensure that the roof and rafters remain intact. The fixing brackets will then be attached to the solar panels.
How long it takes to install your system will depend on its size and complexity. To be prepared, ask your installer for a time estimate.
You should confirm with your surveyor whether scaffolding is necessary and if the cost is included in the price.
Is my house suitable for solar PV?
Solar PV panels are worth looking at if your roof is primarily south-facing and has little to no shade.
While a south-facing roofing structure will provide the highest power output, it is best to have a southerly or south-east-facing one.
You would still get more power, but you’d be able to reduce your electricity bills.
What amount of solar energy you could generate with your panels, and how much you could make with it, will depend on the following:
The orientation and tilt angle of your roof
You live where there is more sun than you get in the North. This can affect how much electricity your system generates, although it won’t be too significant.
Six out of 10 rural solar panel owners produced more than 2,500kWh each year. * This amount is only half of the urban solar panel owners, who account for approximately half of all those surveyed.
The system’s size is also a major factor in determining electricity generation. People living in rural areas are more likely to have larger solar panels.
Which roof direction is best to use for solar panels
Most UK roofs have an angle of between 30° and 45°. Roofs with north facing views are not recommended for solar PV panels.
Also, consider the age of your roof as well as how strong it is. PV panels are very heavy.
Shade can pose a problem for solar panels. Solar panels should not be installed in areas that are shaded by trees, chimneys or walls. Be aware of nearby trees that could overshadow your roof.
Do I need planning permission to install solar panels?
Check with your council to determine if you need planning permission to install solar panels. Domestic solar panels are not required to have planning permission as long as they are less than a certain size.
The exceptions are listed buildings, buildings within conservation areas, and World Heritage Sites.
Solar panel maintenance costs
Solar panels Ashford don’t require any maintenance and should last for at the very least 25 years.
Solar PV systems require little maintenance because they are very simple and do not have moving parts.
The inverter will eventually need to be replaced within 25-years. 14% of the owners of solar panels had issues with their inverter when we interviewed them. *
Once your solar panels have been installed, your installer should provide written details about any maintenance you may need to do to make sure your system is operating properly.
You can use our trusted trader search tool to locate a solar panel installation company in your area.
How can I ensure that my solar panel installations go smoothly?
Be careful not to leave panels above the roof. If panels are installed above the existing roof, it is best to leave at most 30-40cm between each panel and the roof edge. This will allow for easy access and reduce the chance of panels being blown off by strong winds.
Ask your installer to measure the space between the panel’s edge and the roof’s edge before they draw up the plans. A thorough survey is necessary to make sure you are satisfied.