Domestic Solar Panel Installation

Most of the time the answer is no. However, if your home is in a protected area such as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or a National Park such as the South Downs, then you may need planning permission for solar, but not always. We can advise you on this. Some authorities will ask that you have a bat or bird survey first or that your system meets certain aesthetic criteria such as it being an ‘in-roof’ system where the panels sit flush with the roof tiles. We can work with your needs and design a system that meets the necessary criteria.

An optimally orientated, un-shaded 1kWp array will, each year, generate approx 850kWh (units) of electricity.

Most domestic solar panels can be mounted in a range of locations, from a south facing roof to the ground and even bespoke frames. We install on a range of roof types, including flat roofs. Ground mounted systems use ballast or specially designed mounting frames. Solar panels are best if they are south facing, but east and west facing roofs are are suitable, although output will be slightly less. A roof pitch of between 10 and 50 degrees is best and preferably with little or no shade. If shade cannot be avoided then we can include optimisers to reduce the shading impact.

Yes, despite the phase-out of the Government Feed-in Tariff, the installation of solar panels has seen a significant increase in recent years. This surge is attributed to the declining costs of solar technology and a heightened understanding of its environmental and economic benefits over time. With substantial reductions in production costs, improved panel efficiency, and the current instability in the energy market, investing in solar panels for your home is an excellent decision right now.

If you have a medium to high consumption of energy, it is likely that a battery alongside your solar will be beneficial. We use our software to calculate how much of the battery you will use with your property’s consumption and can compare what your usage would be with and without a battery. You can then decide which system will work best for you and whether you want to store energy.

Most batteries that we install are rated as IP65, meaning they can be installed outdoors. However they should have a canopy over them to protect them from the elements. They can also be installed inside your property on a wall. They ideally need 300mm clearance around them for ventilation and cooling as well as access for any future maintenance. Dimensions of the batteries can be found on the datasheets.

Typically, solar panels are set up on a rail system that’s securely fixed to the roof. This solar PV system is engineered to preserve the structural integrity and strength of your roof, ensuring it remains watertight and free from damage. Our solar panel installer will be able to provide further information on how they are fixed.

Photovoltaic (PV) cells convert radiation from the sun into electricity.  A typical PV cell consists of a wafer of semi-conducting material, usually silicon, manufactured with two electrically different layers.  When sunlight hits the cell it excites the electrons within the silicon, creating an electric field across the layers and causing a flow of electricity.

An inverter is an essential part of a solar panel system. It is responsible for taking the electricity produced by the solar panels in the form of AC current, and converting it into DC current, ready to be used by the property. They come in different sizes to suit the number of solar panels and are usually mounted on a wall.