Learn about the different types of solar panels technologies and installations with quotes from reputable a long served company.
Learn about Solar Panels
Solar panels installations in the United Kingdom.
Solar panels enable you to produce heating and electricity from the suns energy. Home's and business owners across the country are installing solar technology to help them save on energy for the years to come.
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In independent tests performed by the DTI, solar panel installations in a house of 5 was monitored. Solar panels were found to supply approximately 70% of the their energy requirement.
Investing in a solar panel installation can generate you an income and reduce your energy bills even in the UK
The depletion of fossil fuel reserves and concerns over the effect that our use of energy has on the planet, has spurred a growth in world interest in solar power and solar heating.
Living in the UK has significant advantages for having solar panels installed to your home including government incentive schemes across the country. Known as the feed in tariff incentives, when you use either solar panels the home owner scheme operates tax free, is index linked and annual payments from your energy provider for a guaranteed 18 or 25 years.
The Feed In Tariff Scheme (Fits) for PV electric or the Renewable Heat Incentve Scheme (RHI) for solar heating is the result of the government's plan for 30 percent of all energy to come from renewable sources by 2020.
Solar panels are popular nowadays for domestic use as well as larger scale commercial applications. Our government is keen on green energy including solar technologies as a way of cutting our carbon emissions and there are solar panels grants and feed in tariffs for home owners who wish to install solar to cut their use of fossil fuels.
Manufacturing (were possible) is sourced from sustainable sources, such as geothermal processes, we are proud that we can offer you a low carbon product. On installation day, the installers will be considerate, clean and tidy, leaving your home as clean as when we arrived.
Did you know: Solar panels can contribute to your home's energy requirement, even on cloudy days in our UK climate.
Solar heating is achieved when a solar heating system use solar energy to heat hot water and sometimes space heating with the correct technology. Getting solar heating to work with an existing central heating system is usually achieved in one of two ways:
Domestic solar heating can be divided into two groups, the pumped or active system and the compact or passive system. Both work in partnership with an extra energy source, such as an oil fired or gas central heating system that acts as a back up when the water in the tank, falls below 55 degree C.
Solar heating systems can also be linked to an underfloor heating system if you are renovating or building a home from scratch. Not suitable for retro fitting.
An extra benefit to a solar system apart from a considerable reduction in fuel bills, is it improves the efficiency of the existing boiler and extends it's life.
Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels are made up of a number of solar cells, and when put together they make a solar module. Modules attached together make a full system, which converts ordinary sunshine into a useable current. Individual panels (modules) produce a small amount of power, but when used together with other panels, the current can be large enough to use.
PV solar panels basically use the sun's photons or light rays with a semiconductor which use's materials designed to conduct electricity, converting the sun's energy into a usable electric current. PV electric panels are made up of thin silicone film called a cell. In order for solar panels to operate successfully, they have to be connected to an inverter which switches the current from AC to DC (direct current) to use within your home or exported out to the National Grid.
Domestic users of solar panels, who have their surplus energy fed into the grid, receive cash incentives from their power suppliers called a feed in tariff.
Most solar panel systems average around 15% percent conversion of the sun's rays (Petrol converts at 25% efficiency). Research and development into solar technology systems is ongoing and at the moment work is being undertaken that should produce solar panels with up to 18 percent conversion.
Why people install solar panels?
Solar technology is no longer viewed as a 'green' product. Most people installing solar panels today, do so to 'reduce dependency' on expensive fossil fuels or as an investment opportunity which will earn and save them more money than keeping the money in the bank.
See why people install solar technology >>Which is best for me?
Solar energy can be harvested using solar panels, which come in 2 different types - solar heating panels which generate heat for your home or PV solar panels which generate clean electricity using solar energy. Which one is best for you will depend on your existing home set- up and budget.
Solar panel installation options >>Is my roof suitable for solar panels?
This will be determined at the solar survey stage. Anything between south west and south east is very good, east and west facing roofs should not be discounted, though. Most homes in the UK are different in layout and plumbing, so a home survey is essential to quote accurately.
Check your homes orientation >>If you do not have a suitable roof, you should consider canopy, facade or 'A' frame installations.
How well does it work in the UK climate?
The United Kingdom receives 60% of the solar radiation and energy found at the equator. The latest technologies are much more efficient, even generating in diffused sunlight (non direct), so they work particularly well in climates such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark and even Norway.
Exactly how much solar energy hits my roof?
The amount of usable solar radiation varies depnding on your geographic location, but very simply the south coast of England receives around 1,200 kWh equivalent per year and Scotland around 800 kWh with Wales in between these two figures.
Solar radiation map of the UK >>Tapping into this free abundent energy source is what solar panels do best.
There are lots of solar panels companies, which is the best?
In a 2001 DTI report, solar heating systems we're tested and not all solar panels we're found to be equal. Plastic panels for example was the worse performing system by a very big margin and evacuated tubes were singled out as the best performing, when installed with our MCS solar panels installers.
Unfortunately, some solar companies quote unrealistic prices, give large false discounts and supply inferior products which don't meet UK and EU standards and this is bad business practice which Heat my Home, actively campaigns against.
Can solar panels run my central heating?
Maybe - this depends on the type of set up you install. We would need to survey your home to see if our heating management system is suitable. In most cases, solar heating can contribute to your central heating, but not all solar installation companies offer this technology.
Can I generate and export electricity using solar panels?
Yes, this is done using PV (Photovoltaics) solar panels. Although they are more expensive than solar heating panels, they can produce a good portion of your electricity demand in most cases. Any excess electricity produced is normally sold back to the National Grid.
We are experienced, qualified designers and installers of photovoltaic and solar heating systems for domestic and commercial installations.
Do I need planning permission in the UK?
No, unless you live in a listed building, an area of outstanding natural beauty or an 'A' frame.
What solar grants or feed in tariffs are available?
Feed in tariffs are a generous incentive scheme to reward home owners to install solar panels. Annual payments will be made by your utility company for the energy/power your generate. The two schemes are:
1. The Renewable Heat Incentive scheme pays property owners who generate heat from solar heat technology and heat pumps an average of 8.5p per KW, produced for a guaranteed 18 year period.
2. The Feed in Tariffs scheme pays property owners who generate their own electricity from PV technology. The payment is currently 21 pence per kWh, produced for a guaranteed 25 year period.
Both feed in tariffs schemes are a great incentive for early solar adopters, but be warned that later adopters will not receive as much and really really late adopters may not get anything at all.
Learn about the feed in tariffs schemes >>Why install our solar panels?
Heat my Home only promote the solar panels of the highest quality including our diy solar panels and trade supplies for accredited MCS solar installers.
You are making a long term investment by installing solar panels. It is a prerequisite that the system should last as long as possible - installing low quality products and materials will have a direct effect on the life expectancy of the system.
Can I install solar myself?
In most cases no, however if you have Part P electrical and plumbing skills, then it may be possible to install in a diy capacity. New diy solar water heating panels and evacuated tubes self install kits are available.
DIY installing can work out much cheaper, however, you will not be eligable for the generous feed in tariffs schemes currently available. All eligable solar installations must be carried out and certified by an accredited MCS solar installer to qualify.
Learn about diy solar panels and evacuated tubes kits >>How are the panels fixed to the roof?
For most roof types a rigid stainless steel bracket fix directly to your roof rafters. The brackets hook out from underneath the tiles. We do not drill tiles/slates or use silicone to weather proof your roof. These techniques don't have a long life-span but are frequently used by lower quality companies.
What does an MCS solar installer mean?
MCS solar panels installers are government approved and accredited solar panel installers who have been assessed and approved under the Micro-generation Certification Scheme. All products used witin the scheme have also been approved giving you the customer peace of mind.
The feed in tariffs scheme requires all systems to be installed using MCS approved installers.
How much does a solar installation cost?
Solar panels are not a one size fits all technology. Installations for both solar heating and solar electric can be complicated due many factors such as layout of your property. Also solar panels come in many different sizes, so we will need do an on-site survey of your property to establish your options.
Get a FREE no obligation site survey and quote >>How long will the survey take?
Usually about 1 hour. Once we have the information we need on your property and made some calculations, we will sit down with you (coffee is optional) and discuss your options in more detail. Most customers usually have plenty of questions which the surveyors/installers will be happy to answer, but this may take longer.
Never be shy to conclude the meeting because sometimes we can get carried away talking about our passionate subject.
Some solar companies offer telephone surveys, but beware because they have shown to be problematic and may cause problems at the installation stage. Always insist on an actual on-site survey.
Bedfordshire - Leighton Filtwick Milton Keynes Welwyn Bedford Luton Dunstable
Berkshire - Fleet Woking Aldershot Stains Bracknell Basingstoke Fleet Woking Aldershot
Buckinghamshire - High Wycombe Aylesbury Milton Keynes Slough Chesham
Cambridgeshire - Cambridge Huntingdon Royston Newmarket Peterborough
Cheshire - Chester Warrington Liverpool Wrexham Northwich Nantwich Macclesfield
Cornwall - St Austell Newquay Plymouth Falmouth Redruth St Ives Camborne Helston
Cumbria - Barrow in Furness Workington Whitehaven Carlisle Kendal Penrith
Derbyshire - Nottingham Stockport Mansfield Manchester Uttoxeter Derby Sheffield
Devon - Sidmouth Bideford Tavistock Barnstaple Tiverton Exeter Torquay Devon
Dorset - Christchurch Weymouth Ringwood Dorchester Poole Bournemouth
Essex - Gloucester Cirencester Yate Bristol Stroud Cheltenham
Gloucestershire - Yate, Bristol Gloucester Stroud Cheltenham Cirencester
Hampshire - Southampton Portsmouth Basingstoke Andover Winchester
Herefordshire - Leominster Hereford
Hertfordshire - Harrow Watford Luton Harlow Hamel Hampstead St Albans Stevenage
Kent - Maidstone Ashford Sevenoaks Gravesend Folkstone Dover Ramsgate Sittingbourne
Lancashire - Fleetwood Morecambe Clitheroe Wigan Bolton Preston Blackburn Burnley Blackpool
Leicestershire - Melton Mowbray Loughborough Hincley Nuneaton Banbury Newbury Leicester Oakham Harborough
Lincolnshire - Skegness Scunthorpe Peterborough Lincoln Grantham
London - Watford Epsom Slough Fulham Dartford Wembley
Middlesex - Cheshunt Loughton Hempstead London Watford Potters Bar
Norfolk - Great Yarmouth Norwich Kings Lynn Thetford
Northamptonshire - Darlington Hexham Newcastle upon Tyne Northumberland Sunderland Middlesborough
Northumbria - Darlington Hexham Newcastle upon Tyne Northumberland Sunderland Middlesborough
Nottinghamshire - Nottingham Loughborough Chesterfield Newark Mansfield Grantham
Scotland - Scotland, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Perth, Dundee, Mothfatt, Stirling
Shropshire - Whitchurch Stafford Stoke on Trent Telford Shrewsbury
Somerset - Yeovil Wellington Frome Bath Bristol Bridgewater Minehead Taunton
Staffordshire - Nantwhich Macclesfield Telford Burton Stafford Newcastle under Lyme Whitchurch Stoke on Trent
Suffolk - Ipswich Bury St Edmonds Newmarket Thetford Mildenhall Stowmarket Lowestoft
Surrey - Haslemere Sutton Guildford Aldershot Horley
Sussex - Horesham Eastbourne Tumbridge Wells Crawley Brighton Bognor Regis Hastings
Wales - Haverfordwest Aberystwyth Carmarthen Llandudno Holyhead Cardiff Newport Swansea Flint Methyr Tydvill Brecon
Warwickshire - Coventry Sutton Coldfield Birmingham Lemington Spa Warwick Straford upon Avon Solihull
Wiltshire - Warminster Salisbury Swindon Chippenham Trowbridge
Worcestershire - Redditch Kidderminster Malvern Birmingham Worcester Evesham Bromsgrove
Yorkshire - York Leeds Kingston upon Hull Doncaster Wakefield Darlington Middlesborough Scarborough
Solar panels installations now make financial sense in the UK.
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Expert & Author - Stuart Lovatt