Solar panel are devices that catch sunlight and change it into electricity. They help power homes and save money while protecting the environment. If you’re keen to become more sustainable at home, solar energy is a brilliant way to go about doing so. These panels are made up of solar photovoltaic cells that use daylight to generate power. When sunlight shines on semi-conducting substances contained in the panels, electrons start to move – which creates electricity.
Globally, solar is one of the fastest growing energy technologies of them all, with benefits including reducing your carbon footprint, reducing electricity costs and reducing air pollution.
But it can be a little confusing when first considering whether installation is right for you, so here are some of the more frequently asked questions that we get here at Electrotec to help you see if it’s the right decision for you.
If you have any further questions or need any more help or advice, get in touch with the team today.
Do you offer bird protection with solar installation?
Every solar installation we provide comes with bird protection as standard. We’ve found that as soon as solar panels are fitted, a bird and pest-friendly environment is created, so we make sure that all bases are covered and the necessary precautions taken against this.
Is battery backup available?
We’ve carried out approximately 2,000 solar panel installations over the years and the majority of these don’t come with a battery backup option as standard, because additional equipment needs to be fitted.
It is possible to have a double socket fitted next to the inverter location to serve as battery backup in the event of power loss, where you can plug essential low power equipment in as backup (such as the fridge-freezer, router and so on).
Alternatively, you can have your system integrated with the whole home electrics to provide backup in the event of a power cut. However, this is only designed for low-power equipment such as the lighting system and boiler.
Do Electrotec solar systems come with a mobile app?
All our solar installations come with either an iOS or Android application, which displays the generation of solar panels, the current energy consumption of your home and the charge or discharge from the batteries.
What about force charging?
A lot of our clients are advised to change tariffs to Octopus Flux, which gives them the benefit of being able to charge the batteries from the grid at a far cheaper rate to be used in the morning before there is sufficient solar generation.
What areas does Electrotec cover?
We’re based in Crawley in Sussex and cover the whole of the south of England. Our main areas include Surrey, Sussex, Kent, Portsmouth and Essex, but our services also extend to other surrounding counties.
Is there an optimum number of solar panels?
Solar installations should always be designed with your energy usage in mind. Typically, the higher the energy consumption, the larger the solar installation will need to be.
What is the Rent A Roof solar scheme?
The Rent A Roof solar scheme was set up to help people who couldn’t afford solar panels gain access to them, with installers setting the systems up at reduced prices. However, this scheme is now essentially a thing of the past and there aren’t many installers that now offer it as an option.With Electrotec, when you purchase a solar system from us you own the entire system, whether you pay outright, use your own finance facility or one of our partners.
Are all roofs suitable for solar panels?
Unfortunately, not all roofs are suitable for solar installation. Your roof needs to be in good condition and have sufficient space for the panels, with minimal amounts of shade. South-facing roofs are best, but great results can also be achieved with east and west-facing roofs.
Can panels be installed on other roofs, aside from homes and businesses?
Solar panels can be installed on a range of different surfaces, including on outbuildings, car canopies and even be ground mounted.
Do you need planning permission for solar panels?
Planning permission for the majority of domestic and commercial solar installations come under permitted development, so planning permission isn’t required.However, for those installations that do require a full planning application, we provide all the necessary services in full, doing all the hard work on your behalf.
How long does domestic solar installation take?
Most of our domestic solar installations are completed within one day, but some larger projects can take longer.
Commercial installations can take anything from two days to two months, depending on the size of the site.
Disruption is always kept to a minimum, with scaffolding (where necessary) erected one or two days before the installation and removed one or two days after completion, where possible.
What do you need to be aware of during solar installation work?
Generally, the power will need to be switched off throughout the day in order for the necessary AC connections to be made.
To enable the app for monitoring, you will need working WiFi. If you don’t have this, we have the option of installing a 4G data logger or separate 4G router.
It also makes it easier, safer and more efficient for the installation teams if they’re able to park on the drive or close to the installation site.
How do you reap the benefits after solar installation?
Diversify how you use your electric appliances, such as putting washing on during the day when you are generating an excess of electricity.
If you have an immersion element, put this on a timer or have the Electrotec team install an immersion solar controller such as an iBoost. This will trickle charge your hot water during the day, making the most of your generation.
Installing solar is the perfect solution to offsetting the electricity used by EVs and ASHPs.
What is the warranty period on solar equipment?
The equipment we use comes with a 25-year manufacturer’;s warranty on solar panels and a ten-year manufacturer’s warranty on inverters and battery storage.
We fill out all the warranty documents and send you the warranty certificates in your handover pack should you choose Electrotec for your solar installation.
Are there any grants for solar?
Please visit www.eco4south.co.uk for more information on grants such as ECO4 and GBIS.
