Solar panel supply & install pricing:
| 6 Panels with inverter installed and certified on a pitched roof | From £5900 |
|---|---|
| 8 Panels with inverter installed and certified on a pitched roof | From £7900 |
| 10 Panels with inverter installed and certified on a pitched roof | From £9900 |
| 12 Panels with inverter installed and certified on a pitched roof | From £10900 |
How the installation process works:
Solar Panel Installation:
A solar system is made up of solar panels, also known as modules, an inverter and potentially a battery. A solar panel will produce DC (direct current) electricity from sunlight. This then is converted by the inverter to AC (alternate current) which will allow it to be used by the appliances in the property. A system will have a controller that will optimise the performance of the panel to maximise efficiency. If the inverter is off-grid (can’t transfer electricity back to the National Grid) or you wish to maximise the productivity of your system a battery will be required to store the ‘excess’ power. You could opt for an on-grid inverter (non-compatible with battery storage but can transfer electricity back to the National Grid) if most of the electricity produced by your panels is consumed at the time of production or you do not have the space available for panels to generate enough extra to charge a battery.
To install solar panels, there aren’t many criteria you need to meet to have them installed on your property. However, the few boxes you need to tick are very important to make the installation worthwhile. A flat or pitched roof can be ideal location for your solar modules but the more pressing matter is the direction in which the roof faces. It will need to be south facing to gain the most out of the system as a solar module cannot be placed at an angle horizontally away the roof. Another consideration is the structural integrity of the roof in which they are to be installed. If there are damages to the locations the mounting systems for the panels will be fixed, this could cause serious issues in terms of their ability to withstand harsh weather conditions. If the property does not meet the criteria stated, the last resort, should you require it, is a flat location at ground level, with no obstruction.
The only other factor to take into consideration is in terms of irradiance. Irradiance refers to the amount of sunlight directly on the panel. It’s important to try and ensure there is as little obstruction as possible to allow as much of the solar panels surface to be exposed as possible. There will very rarely be a perfect scenario where every module is receiving the same or maximum amount of sunlight. We can do our best with the technology and expertise to give as close to an optimal output as possible.
After qualifying you with a series of questions regarding what you are looking to get out of your solar system and with the space you have available, our experts will be able to advise on what options you will have. Although relatively simple to do in terms of the calculations, we have formulas that allow us to work out the amount of electricity your system would be capable of producing along with the amount of electricity you would have to store to run your essential appliances in the home while the system is not producing any electricity, i.e. evening/ night time after the sun has set.
We will then generate a quote that will show you your electricity usage as it stands, and the amount of electricity produced by your solar modules, inclusive of any ‘excess’ power that can either be battery stored or fed back into the National Grid.
Why choose Efficient Home Energy?
Every job is a little different and we take pride in the careful consideration when advising you on your solar system. Every order is bespoke and based from your requirements and expectations. We only use high quality products and have built relationships with household brands such as Sharp and AEG for the panels to leading manufacturers such as Growatt for our inverters. This allows us to not only have a key focus on the quality of the install but also in terms of making sure the quality of the products supplied are also to the highest standard for our customers. Although we use these brands, we are not governed by any sort of incentives to sell one over the other. The focus for us is to educate and advise where we can but when it boils down to it, the choice of brands are down to the customer and their budget. Technical aspects of the install sometimes does dictate your choices to a degree but you will be guided every step of the way to give the ultimate productivity and still keep in line with what you as a customer would like.
Aside from the bespoke designs and quality of products, a focal point for us is the service we provide to every customer. We appreciate that you are trusting us to guide you through your journey, therefore transparency is key. Our experts will run through everything with a fine tooth comb including the after care of your system to make sure that it will continue to function to the best of its ability. In short, we provide every customer with a superior experience because we value every customer in the same way.
The Installation process
Before conducting any installation, there are steps we take to ensure that the installation is viable. You could have started your journey a number of different ways to reach the conclusion you would like to have a solar PV system installed in your property. Our journey as an installer tends to be a little more straightforward. We would initially conduct a free site survey, at a time convenient for you, of the property to ensure that the location, structural soundness and available space all fit the profile to get a productive solar system installation.
To begin the installation we have rigorous checks to ensure the safety of our installers and the systems integrity. Health and safety along with the environmental standards are very important to us for every installation and undergo the same rigorous checks.
The initial part of the install is the scaffolding. Scaffolding is required as most installs happen above the ground floor and is the safest and easiest way for the installer to get to the roof. Scaffolding will be placed in a way to avoid minimal obstruction to windows or doorways, causing as little disruption to your day to day life while you’re having your installation carried out.
There are fixtures for the panels to be mounted on to the roof, whether it be flat or at an angle. These mounts are structurally sound and make sure that in adverse weather conditions, your panels are safe and secure. The fixtures will be tilted between 18 – 36 degrees vertically, to maximise the surface area in direct sunlight.
Electrical wiring is the next part of the installation of a solar system which will involve universal connectors as they are able to be used for most solar panels. They can be wired in two different ways:
- Series connection which is when the Positive (+) Wire of one solar module is connected to the Negative (–) Wire of another module. This type of wiring increases the voltage match with the battery bank.
- Parallel connection which is when the connection is Positive (+) to Positive (+) and Negative (–) to Negative (–). This type of wiring means that the voltage of each panel remains the same.
The cable of the solar modules is connected to the inverter at the relevant terminal. i.e., positive to positive and negative to negative. The solar inverter is then connected either to the grid, a battery or both, depending on your choice of inverter. In this case, the inverter will be connected to both, so the cable will need to be connected to the battery to allow you to store electricity. If required, your solar systems inverter will then be connected to the grid.
Before making any electrical connections to the inverter, we’d check with you regarding the location of its placement. The inverter will need to be easily accessible for any future maintenance or amendments that need to be made for its functionality. The same applies for the battery. Although with the designs of these products, they are much more aesthetically pleasing than in previous years, not everyone would like them on show and we will always endeavour to make sure your requirements are met at every possible stage of the install where possible. Once the wiring is completed, the inverter is connected to the battery and or/ the National grid, depending on whether you have selected an on-grid, off-grid or hybrid inverter. Once the PV systems installation is completed and all connections have been made, the cabling will be tidied and fitted with a choice of black or white conduit, fitting in with the style of the home.
Although the installation is completed, our job as an installer is not yet over. We have a duty of care for our customers which entails the demonstration of how to use the app for your inverter if applicable and a thorough guide to maintaining the system. The inverters we supply will allow you to monitor your solar energy consumption via the app related to the inverter selected. Aside from the initial checklist that we use before an install, one just as important comes after in the handover. All installations have to be fitted to specific regulations and in these regulations, you as a customer will receive the full breakdown of your system, the inverters function and its monitoring application along with a yearly maintenance schedule which we are able to carry out for you.
FAQs
Are solar panels expensive?
It’s a common misconception that solar panels are a costly investment. The initial payment may be a large sum in the first instance, however on average the payback time is around 5-10 years. The panels themselves on average have a lifespan of around 15-25 years, so there is plenty of time for you to make back your initial investment.
The use of batteries and hybrid inverters mean that you can also store the electricity you do not use and feed back into the grid with any excess, actually earning you money in the process.
Do my Solar Panels produce power when the sun isn’t shining?
The amount of power that your solar system is producing is lower when there is less sunlight, but this does not mean it won’t produce any electricity at all. It will not produce anything at night but in low light conditions, the new technology will work as efficiently as possible.
It is still a wise investment, even if you live in a relatively cloudy area, especially with the rise in electricity bills.
Do I need planning permission for my solar panels?
You do not need to contact any planning authority to advise of your solar installation in most cases. There are certain limits and conditions that if you exceed, you will need to contact your local planning authority. You can find information regarding your local planning authority from this link and discuss whether or not you are able to go ahead with the installation.
Planning Permission – Solar panels – Planning Portal
Is my roof suitable for solar panels?
Around 60% of properties are suitable for solar panels. They need to be mainly south facing but most style roofs are suitable, however you can always look for alternative areas to have them if you struggle for available roof space. Our engineers and design software will allow us to show you the most beneficial way to have them installed.
How much would I save by having solar panels installed in my property?
It is hard to determine an exact amount without knowing your consumption of electricity in the property. We use software that helps us with the calculations to see how many panels you can fit on the property, how much sun light the property receives and how much of the produced electricity you use and store. We can provide quotations once we have the address of the property.
In short, however, solar panels will save you money in the long run. Although a sizeable purchase in the first instance, on average you will pay off the panels within 10 years on average. You are then able to earn money from your electricity produced if you have chosen an installation that feeds back into the National grid.
How long does a solar panel installation take?
An installation of a solar system takes normally around 2-3 days maximum. Most of the install is taken up by the assembly of the scaffolding to gain access to the roof. Obviously, there are certain instances that could potentially take longer, for example an installation on a larger property will more than likely need more panels, therefore will require more time to install.
How long will my solar panels last?
Solar panels come with their own warranty, and we pride ourselves on using premium products on the market. A solar panel will have anywhere up to a 25-year guarantee on its performance along with a manufacturers guarantee of around 10-15 years. This is part of the reason they are a great investment as they have a long lifespan, allowing more time for you to earn back your investment.
If I buy solar panels, do I still have to pay for electricity?
Solar modules only produce electricity during the day so if you are looking to lower your electricity bills as much as possible you would need to think about incorporating battery storage. Battery storage is a good idea, since a lot of the produced power by your PV modules will be produced while you’re likely to be out of the property.
Will shade affect the output from my solar PV system?
Shading will greatly reduce the performance of your solar modules, so our expert installers will guide you as to the best placement of your solar panels. We use a software that allows us to work out the efficiency of the panel in the shaded area and will position them in the most suitable space of the roof off the property.