A Guide To Installing Solar Panels
Installing solar panels on your home in the UK can provide a number of benefits, including reducing your energy bills, reducing your carbon footprint, and increasing the value of your home. Here is a guide to installing solar panels on your home in the UK, including information on the benefits, suitability, costs, and considerations.
Benefits of Installing Solar Panels
Reduce your energy bills: Solar panels generate electricity from sunlight, which can be used to power your home. By generating your own electricity, you can reduce your reliance on the grid and save money on your energy bills.
Reduce your carbon footprint: Solar panels generate clean, renewable energy, which means that they produce zero carbon emissions. By generating your own electricity with solar panels, you can reduce your carbon footprint and help to combat climate change.
Increase the value of your home: Solar panels are a valuable addition to any home, and can increase the value of your property. In fact, studies have shown that homes with solar panels can sell for up to 4.1% more than homes without solar panels.
Is My Home Suitable for Solar Panel Installation?
In order to determine whether your home is suitable for solar panel installation, you will need to consider several factors, including:
Roof orientation: The orientation of your roof is an important factor in determining whether your home is suitable for solar panel installation. In general, south-facing roofs are the most effective for generating solar energy, while east and west-facing roofs are also suitable. North-facing roofs are generally not suitable for solar panel installation.
Roof pitch: The pitch of your roof is another important factor to consider. Solar panels are most effective on roofs with a pitch of between 30 and 45 degrees. If your roof is flat, panels can be tilted to increase their efficiency.
Roof shading: Shading from trees or other buildings can significantly reduce the effectiveness of solar panels. Before installing solar panels, it is important to assess the shading on your roof and ensure that it is not excessively shaded.
You need to allow for space internally to install your inverter (the unit that converts the electricity produced from DC to AC). This unit is usually the size of an old-school desktop computer and a cable needs to run from this unit to you main fuseboard.
What Are the Costs Involved?
The cost of installing solar panels on your home in the UK can vary depending on a number of factors, including the size of your system, the type of panels you choose, and the location of your home. In general, the cost of installing solar panels can range from £8,000 to £15,000, depending on the size of your system.
In addition to the upfront cost of installation, you should also consider the ongoing costs of maintaining your solar panels. These costs may include cleaning and maintenance, repairs, and insurance.
What Should I Look Out For When Considering Installing Solar Panels?
When considering installing solar panels on your home in the UK, there are several key things to look out for, including:
Government incentives: The UK government used to offer a number of incentives for homeowners who installed solar panels, including the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) and the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). Although these incentives can help to offset the cost of installation and provide a financial return on your investment, they are, at the time of writing no longer available.
Quality of the installer: It is important to choose a reputable and experienced installer to install your solar panels. Look for an installer who is accredited by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC).
Warranty and maintenance: Before installing solar panels, make sure to check the warranty and maintenance provisions offered by the manufacturer and installer. This will ensure that you are protected if anything goes wrong with your system.