Should i Get Solar Panels Installed?
Firstly, it’s great that you are considering installing Solar Panels! But, it is important to know that not everyone is eligible for Solar. So before your Solar journey begins, it is important to check your suitability, and the best way to do so is through a certified Solar Panel Installer.
Here at Deege Solar, we will only recommend a Solar PV Installation to a customer if it will be financially beneficial. Our Solar Designers, will design you a system to produce the highest generation possible, given your constraints. To find out if your property is suitable for Solar, and to receive a free Quote, Design & Survey please fill out our contact form.
Your Eligibility for Solar depends on 4 Main Factors. These factors will give you a guideline on whether or not a Solar PV is right for you.
1. Your Current Electricity Consumption.
Your current electricity consumption will indicate how much Solar energy you will need to generate. This will ultimately dictate the size of the Solar PV System you require. A good solar installer will always request a copy of your Energy Bill at the start of your quotation. As it is essential that you are designed a system that works alongside your lifestyle and energy use. Hence, it is also important to supply details about when you use your energy. If your home is occupied during the day, it is possible to use your green energy whilst it is being generated. However, if you use the majority of your electricity at night, a battery storage system would be more ideal.
2. The Pitch, Orientation, And Space Available On Your Roof.
Now that we have an understanding of how much Solar Energy you need to be generating, it is time to see if it is possible.
Space: The size of your roof, will allow a Solar Panel Installer to calculate the maximum amount of Solar Energy your home could possibly produce. Essentially the more Solar Panels that you fit, the more Renewable Energy Produced.
Pitch & Orientation: Both the Pitch and Orientation of your roof, will indicate how much sunlight your roof is exposed to during the day. The most ideal roof would be south-facing, unshaded and at a pitch angle between 30 to 40 degrees. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t have Solar Installed if you don’t meet these requirements.
East or West facing installations only loose around 15% of generation. This means that by combining the right solar battery capacity and Solar Panels the system still could make for a good investment. It is only North-facing roofs that are completely not recommended.
This also doesn’t mean you can’t install a PV system if you have a flat roof. In fact, flat roofs are often ideal as they allow for a more flexible design. This is because, installers can use flat roof solar mounts to angle the Solar Panels so that they are at the optimal angle. This type of system is also commonly used for Off-Grid solar systems.
3. Roof Shading
Nearby buildings, trees, or chimneys have the potential to cast a shadow over your Solar Panel array. Even though this may be for only certain parts of the day, shading will still impact your systems generation. This becomes a predominant issue when the Solar Panels are all connected in sequence. As when one panel falls into shade, the entire array will stop generating. There are however ways around this – such as using SolarEdge Optimisers. When using SolarEdge Technology, each Solar Panel works independently. This means that unlike traditional string inverters, shading, dirt or leaves on a single panel will not impact the entire systems performance.
Here at Deege Solar, we offer over the air surveys. By taking your address details, we are able to locate your property on Google Maps to get an insight into these factors. This also allows us to create a CAD model of your property, and calculate your potential savings.
4. The Radiance Level Of Your Location.
By providing your Postcode, a Solar Installer is able to calculate whether the radiance level of your area is sufficient enough to power a System. It is no secret that certain parts of the UK receive more sun, than others. Some of the most popular Solar cities include: Peterborough, Lincolnshire and Sunderland. Nonetheless, in some cases there is technology to help combat lower radiance levels, such as battery storage. The best thing you can do is schedule a call with a Solar expert to discuss your options.
