Depending on the installation size, prices can start at anywhere from £4,000 to £9,000 as an average. With batteries these prices can rise significantly. Solar panel prices have dropped quite a bit since 2010 up to 70% and will continue to get more efficient and cheap as the tech evolves. At sunmatch, you can find exactly the optimised figure for your house using our calculator.

Yes, solar panels do work on cloudy days. Depending on the cloud coverage, solar panels can produce up to 25/30% compared to clearer days. For context in Germany, the cloud coverage averages to about the same as in the UK and they lead the world in renewable solar.

This all depends on your energy consumption. The more energy you consume the more solar panels will be more beneficial. Solar panels can cover anything from 35% to 100% of your energy consumption. A typical family home with 4 people living in it would require a 4kW system that can save anywhere from £400 to thousands per year on energy bills. With a battery system a home can be totally off grid and be totally self sufficient. There are also government programs like SEG (Smart Export Guarantee) that pays for extra electricity that solar homes export to grid.

Again, this might be a tricky one to answer, but the general rule of thumb is yes. Imagine that you want to purchase a property, would you prefer one where the energy consumption is close to 0? Studies have shown that installing solar panels does increase the property value by 4% to 10%, depending on location and size of the PV installation. Greener places are more attractive to buyers as the taxes tend to be lower as well on such properties.

Solar panels do not produce energy at night as they are reliant on the sun which is on the other side of the planet. The answer to this problem is two folded. You can either install a battery that will store excess energy during the day or you can export to the grid extra energy. A battery is a better overall solution as prices for exporting energy are usually half of the ones for consumption. Solar batteries are more common but they add to the installation costs between £4,000 to £6,000 however they will increase self-sufficiency.

Latest solar panel technology helps with this issue. They are usually coated with a hydrophilic and photocatalytic substance on their surface which helps rain clean them, washing away the dust and debris. In heavier polluted areas however it is recommended to wash them every 12 or so months. Debris, and other obstacles can reduce efficiency by 20%.

There is usually a manufacturer guarantee of 20 to 25 years for solar panels but they tend to exceed that lifespan by 10 or 15 years. Usually electricity production will decrease over time but there is a consensus of them operating at 80% of their maximum efficiency by the end of their lifespan.

Yes, that is an option, but it is usually recommended that you do install a smart meter as well. That way you can monitor your energy production and consumption. With a smart meter you can also take advantage of off-peak tariffs or the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).

Yes, if you have a battery as the battery will help take over the household needs. No, if you do not have a battery as this is a safety measure to protect grid workers. If you install an EPS or Emergency Power Supply your system will provide you with electricity during outages, however this will incur additional costs.

Yes, but they are considered low-maintenance. Once they are installed on your roof, there is a requirement to clean them every 12 months or so to make sure they operate at optimal efficiency. The system has no moving parts which minimises the risk to mechanical failure.

Installations are fairly quick, usually taking 1 to 2 days depending on the complexity and size of the system. This will include mounting the panels, wiring, and connecting to the grid system.

Yes, solar panels can be extremely efficient in charging your electric vehicle. A typical home with a 4kW setup can generate enough energy to power an EV to about 10,000 miles per year. It is favorable to increase the number of solar panels if you have or plan on purchasing an EV so the needs of your home are met.

The payback period varies from 2 to 12 years. Your energy consumption will determine this payback period. If you consume a lot of energy, the solar panels will pay for themselves faster. With the help of SEG or Smart Energy Guarantee programs, homeowners can also sell back to the grid, further decreasing the payback period.

Yes, in the UK, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations are in place to require manufacturers to recycle end-of-life panels. The panels are mainly made of silicon, glass, and metals like copper, which can be recovered and reused.

Angle is dependent on the latitude of the location solar panels are being installed. In the UK, a general rule is to tilt the panels at an angle equal to the latitude of the installation. In London, that tilt should be 51 degrees, while in Edinburgh, the tilt should be at 55 degrees. Mounts usually help roofs with angling the solar panels accordingly.

Yes, PV or solar panels do work during winter months, with reduced solar production. Solar panels are usually more efficient in cooler weather, but cloud coverage can lower production. On average, solar panels produce 20% to 40% during winter months.

Solar batteries typically last between 10 to 15 years, depending on usage and type. Lithium-ion batteries, which are the most common, can handle thousands of charges before degrading. Warranties generally cover 10 years or 6,000 cycles.

No, you don’t need a battery for solar panels to function, but having one can enhance the benefits of your system. A battery allows you to store energy for later use, which can save on electricity costs and provide backup during outages.

After you have made your assessment, selected the number of solar panels you want and went through introducing your email, we take that information and help you find the best solar providers in your area. We will share the profile of your home without divulging any information about your location, name or email address. The profile will be submitted to our list of qualified MCS installers and they will send us more detailed quotes for your location. We will then pass these quotes to you so you can make the decision that fits your needs.

There are various incentives to help solar panel adoption. The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) helps homeowners sell excess electricity to the grid. Prices might vary as the price of electricity changes but a good rule of thumb is that Grid Operators will pay you half the price of the price per kWh.

There are three types of solar panels: - **Monocrystalline**: The most efficient and durable, but also the most expensive. - **Polycrystalline**: Slightly less efficient but more affordable. - **Thin-Film**: Lightweight and flexible but generally less efficient and they usually have a shorter lifespan. Installers will often have the best knowledge of what is the best solution for your house.

Yes, and it does not require any special planning permission. If your property is listed, in a conservation area, or subject to any restrictions you might need to seek approval. Also, the mounts for flat roofs are usually a bit pricier as the solar panels need to be angled so they are efficient.

In most cases, installing solar panels on your home is considered a permitted development and does not require planning permission. If your property is listed or in a conservation area, there might be restrictions. You can check with our team and we can help you figure out if you need special permissions.

Grid-tied systems are installations that are connected to the national electricity grid and allow you to export excess energy or draw electricity from the grid if needed. Off-grid systems are completely off-grid and are usually supported by a battery solution that stores energy to be used during cloudy days or nighttime. These systems are typically better for remote areas.

A solar inverter converts the direct current (DC) electricity generated by solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is used by most home appliances. It is a critical component of a solar energy system, and high-quality inverters can improve system efficiency.

Shading from trees, buildings, or other obstructions can significantly reduce the efficiency of solar panels. Modern systems often use microinverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of shading on overall performance. Shading plays an important role in the feasibility of solar panels on your roof, and if you want to understand if your house is shaded, use our calculator. It uses satellite maps and AI to see if your roof is a great fit.

kW (kilowatts) is the measure of the capacity of your solar panel system and indicates how much energy it can produce at peak performance. kWh (kilowatt-hours) is the energy consumed over time. For example, a 4kW system producing energy for 5 hours will generate 20kWh. The formula to calculate kWh is: kW x hours = kWh.

Yes, many solar systems are modular, so you can always add more panels or batteries. The capacity of your inverter is crucial for upgrades, so when considering installing them for the first time, think about whether you’d need a higher-capacity inverter, as this will need to be tuned for future expansions.

- High upfront costs on installation (though these offset over time). - Performance in the winter months or cloudy days. - Limited efficiency if your roof is not oriented correctly or if there are significant shades on your house. - Maintenance requirements in polluted areas are higher.

- Check if the installer is certified by MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme). - Reviews and references on installers. - Compare multiple quotes to ensure competitive pricing. - Warranty on installation and equipment.

Of course, solar panels can produce a lot of electricity if the system is big enough. A larger setup can cover all of your energy needs; however, you will need a larger roof. To understand if your home is fit, you can use our system calculator, which gives you the right amount of panels for your roof size and electricity consumption.

Solar panels significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to fossil fuel energy. The manufacturing process can have some environmental impact, but over their lifespan, solar panels offset far more emissions than they generate during production.