A Guide to Installing Solar Panels on your Home
Installing solar panels is a terrific way to boost your home’s renewable energy capacity while potentially saving money on your energy costs. While existing homes may need to be inspected to see whether installing solar panels is a feasible endeavor (depending on the size and orientation of the roof), new construction may be constructed with this sustainable technology in mind.
There has been significant debate in recent years about whether solar panels are genuinely worth the initial investment, but interest is increasing as energy expenses rise.
Amidst ongoing discussions regarding the value of investing in solar panels, interest in their viability is surging, particularly with escalating energy costs. Explore the efficiency of solar power in winter to better understand its potential benefits and savings.
Now that the cost of electricity has risen significantly and the cost of solar systems has leveled off, the return on investment has the potential to be quite high.
In this article, we are going to take a look at the process of installing solar panels on your home, including the cost, the practicality, and the steps you will need to take to get the process in motion.
How Long Does it Take to Install Solar Panels on a Roof?
Scaffolding will most likely be required if the solar panels are to be put on your roof.
The panels can be erected in less than a day once the scaffolding is in place. Roofers will connect the fastening brackets to your roof’s rafters, which is why a qualified surveyor should enter your loft to inspect the roof and rafters. After that, the solar panels will be fastened to the mounting brackets.
The length of time it takes to install your system depends on its size and complexity. So that you are prepared, ask your installer for a time estimate. If you live in a low building, the cost and time involved will be lower, but a taller building will require much more time and effort to set up the scaffolding.
If scaffolding is required, ensure that there is enough room for it and that the cost is included in the quote you get from your installer.
Which Homes Are Suitable for Solar Panels?
Solar PV panels are worth consideration if you have a primarily south-facing roof with little or no shadow and are not planning on relocating in the near future. Although a south-facing roof produces the most electricity, a south-west or south-east-facing roof should suffice. However, if your roof faces in these directions, you will receive less power from the system and will be able to save less on your electricity cost.
The amount of electricity you can generate with solar panels, and hence the amount of money you can make, is determined by a variety of factors, including the location of your property and the tilt angle of your roof.
Most roofs in the United Kingdom are inclined between 30 and 45 degrees. Solar PV panels should not be installed on rooftops that face north. Because PV panels are large and heavy, you should additionally consider the age and strength of your roof.
If you have questions or are uncertain, ask your chosen installer for advice. Reputable firms, such as Panelit Solar, should be able to help you work out whether solar panels are appropriate for your home.
Because shadow from trees, chimneys, buildings, or other impediments can be a major issue for solar panels, no panels should be positioned where there is shade. Consider how probable it is that neighboring trees will grow and overhang your roof.
Check with your local council authorities to determine whether you need to apply for planning approval for your solar panels. Most household solar panels do not require planning permission if they are under a specific size. Larger installations may be a problem, however, particularly if you live in an older or listed building.
How Much do Solar Panels Cost?
Solar panels are not inexpensive. Installation costs roughly £6,500 on average for a three-bed semi-detached property with four inhabitants. However, the statistics will vary based on the size of your home and the amount of energy you wish to generate.
Solar panels can help you save money on your power costs by generating electricity that you can sell back to your utility provider. As a result, you will gradually recoup your original investment in lower energy expenses.
Battery storage allows you to store the power generated by your solar panels until you need it, but purchasing a battery adds a significant amount to your installation expenses, which means your system will take longer to pay for itself.
Some energy providers will pay you for the electricity generated by your solar panels that you do not use and instead feed into the grid. The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is guaranteed by the government; nevertheless, the ‘guarantee’ merely implies that the price you get must be more than zero.
When you export power that you are not using, you will not automatically get it. You must join an energy company and have your solar PV system installed by a registered MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) installer.
What Size Solar Panel System Do I Need?
The number of solar panels you need to install on your home (or the size of your solar panel system) will be determined by the amount of power you need to generate and the amount of space you have on your roof.
It is critical to install the appropriate size for your home. If you create energy that you can’t utilize, a big system may be a waste of money. However, building a solar battery or exporting electricity to the grid can help with this. That being said, a battery can add to the costs of installing your system significantly.
Solar panel system sizes are often given in kilowatt peaks (kWp), which represent the system’s greatest output. The most typical system size for average family homes is between 3.6-4kWp, with 2.1-2.5kWp being the most preferred panel size for terraces and semi-detached houses.
Finding a Solar Panel Installer
It is generally recommended that you should try to get at least three quotations from various installers. This can give you an idea of what the average cost is in your region for the sort of system you need for your home.
Compare their quotes and make sure they give itemized information about what you’ll get for your money, just like any other building project. Obtain a breakdown of how any promised energy savings are computed as well. Be critical here, and carefully scrutinize any forecasts that look like they might be a bit too good to be true.
