Solar Panels

Although there are no current grants in the UK for Solar Panels in the traditional sense, there are incentives. Currently, the only scheme open for new applications is known as the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). The Smart Export Guarantee, came into effect on the 1st of January 2020 and allows all homeowners with Solar Panels installed (up to 5MW capacity), to receive payment for selling surplus energy back to the grid.

Despite popular belief, Solar PV Panels are not covered in the Green Homes Grant.

South facing roof tops, benefit the most from a solar panel installation, as they are exposed to sunlight for the longest period of time. They also see the sun when it’s at its highest intensity, meaning that a south facing roof will generate the most solar energy. However, this doesn’t mean if you roof faces another direction you still wouldn’t benefit from having solar panels installed. East and west facing roofs are also suitable for solar panels and will still see a good deal of green energy generation throughout the course of the day. East or West facing installations only tend to loose around 15% of generation. 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 mounts to angle the Solar Panels so that they are at the optimal angle. If in doubt, just get in touch and our design team can carry out an over the air survey on your roof.

Believe it or not, not everyone’s home or business is suitable for Solar. Your suitability for Solar Panels depends on four factors:

• Your current electricity consumption.
• The Pitch, Orientation and Space available on your roof.
• If there is any shading.
• The radiance level of your location.

In most instances, Planning permission isn’t required when installing Solar Panels, as they are classified as “Permitted Developments” (PD). However, in order for Solar Panels to classify as PD they must meet the following requirements: 

• The Solar Panels must not be installed above the highest point of the property (not including chimneys).
• They must be installed in a way that makes the least visual impact to the property and surrounding area.
• The Solar Panels must not protrude more than 200mm from the surface of your roof.

Mono-crystalline: Mono-crystalline Solar panels are seen as the more premium panel, due to their high efficiency and darker/black appearance. A Mono-crystalline solar panel is made up from a single-crystal silicon, meaning that the electron can generate more electricity as they can flow more freely. As they have the highest purity of silicon they are more efficient, with a higher power output than polycrystalline panels. 

Poly crystalline: Polycrystalline solar panels alternatively have a lower efficiency, at a more affordable price point. The Solar Panels are made up of fragments of silicon crystal that has been melted together to make wafers and are most recognisable by their blue speckled finish.