household’s normal pattern of electricity use. A family that uses most of its electricity during the day may benefit from a different arrangement to a household that is normally away from home until the evening.

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How Do Solar Panels for Homes Work?

 

Solar photovoltaic panels, commonly known as solar PV panels, convert daylight into electricity.

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The panels generate direct-current electricity, which passes through an inverter. The inverter converts it into alternating-current electricity that can be used by household appliances, lighting, sockets and other electrical equipment.

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Electricity generated by the solar panels is normally used within the property first. When the system produces more electricity than the home is using, the surplus may be:

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• stored in a solar battery;

• used to charge an electric vehicle;

• diverted to an immersion heater or compatible appliance; or

• exported to the electricity network.

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Solar panels do not require constant bright sunshine. They can continue generating electricity during cloudy conditions, although output will generally be greater during brighter weather and through the longer days of spring and summer.

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What Are the Benefits of Home Solar?

 

The principal benefit of solar panels for your home is that they reduce the amount of electricity that needs to be purchased from an energy supplier.

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The greatest savings are generally achieved when the household can use a high proportion of the electricity while it is being generated.

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Lower Household Electricity Bills

Electricity generated and used within the property replaces electricity that would otherwise have been purchased from the grid.

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Households may be able to increase their solar usage by operating washing machines, dishwashers, home-working equipment and electric-vehicle chargers during daylight hours.

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Smart controls and timers can also help move some household electricity consumption into the periods when the panels are generating.

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Greater Energy Independence

Solar panels will not normally make a home completely independent from the electricity grid. However, they can reduce reliance on imported electricity and make household energy costs more manageable.

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Adding suitable battery storage can allow more of the electricity generated during the day to be used later in the evening.

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Use or Export Surplus Electricity

When solar panels generate more electricity than the property is consuming, the surplus does not necessarily have to be wasted.

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It may be stored, diverted to another household use or exported through an appropriate electricity tariff. Export arrangements, payment rates and eligibility requirements vary between energy suppliers and should be compared carefully.

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Reduced Household Carbon Emissions

Generating renewable electricity at home can reduce the household’s dependence on electricity produced from conventional energy sources.

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Solar panels can also form part of a wider home-energy strategy incorporating improved insulation, efficient heating controls, battery storage, electric vehicles and heat pumps.

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A Long-Term Home Improvement

Quality solar panels are intended to operate for many years. The installation may therefore continue producing electricity long after the original cost has been recovered through energy savings.

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The inverter, battery and other electrical components may have different expected lifespans from the panels, so warranties and likely replacement costs should be considered when quotations are compared.

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Is Your House Suitable for Solar Panels?

 

Many houses are suitable for solar panels, but each property should be properly assessed before an installation is designed.

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A professional solar survey should consider the following factors.

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Roof Orientation

A south-facing roof will generally receive a high level of sunlight throughout the day. However, east-facing and west-facing roof slopes can also provide useful generation.

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An east-west arrangement may generate electricity over a longer part of the day, with the eastern panels producing more in the morning and the western panels contributing later in the afternoon.

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Available Roof Space

The usable roof area will determine how many panels can be installed.

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Chimneys, dormer windows, rooflights, vents, aerials and changes in the roof shape can reduce the available space. Adequate clearances may also be required around the edges of the roof and other features.

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Shading

Trees, neighbouring buildings, chimneys and roof projections can cast shadows across the panels.

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The installer should assess how shading changes throughout the day and during different seasons. Where partial shading cannot be avoided, suitable system design and panel-level equipment may help reduce its effect.

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Roof Condition

Solar panels may remain in position for several decades. It is therefore sensible to resolve damaged tiles, failing roof coverings, defective flashings and structural concerns before installation.

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Removing and reinstalling panels later to complete roof repairs can add unnecessary expense.

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The survey should also establish whether the roof structure and proposed fixing method are suitable for the additional loads.

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Household Electricity Consumption

The installer should review the household’s annual electricity use and, where possible, when the electricity is normally consumed.

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A system designed around real consumption information will usually provide a more meaningful proposal than one based only on the maximum number of panels that can fit on the roof.

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How Much Do Solar Panels for a Home Cost?

 

The cost of solar panels for a house can vary considerably.

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The final price will be influenced by:

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• the number and output of the panels;

• the overall generating capacity;

• panel and inverter quality;

• roof size and shape;

• scaffolding and access requirements;

• the type of roof covering;

• the complexity of the electrical work;

• monitoring equipment;

• battery storage; and

• any alterations required to the existing installation.

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A straightforward home solar installation will normally cost several thousand pounds. A larger system, complicated roof arrangement or installation including battery storage may cost substantially more.

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Homeowners should avoid selecting an installer purely because they have supplied the lowest initial quotation. Poorly designed systems, unsuitable mounting details or inadequate aftercare may prove more expensive over the life of the installation.

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A detailed quotation should make clear what is included, what may be charged separately and whether scaffolding, electrical alterations, certification and network notifications are covered.

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Should You Add a Solar Battery?

 

A solar battery stores electricity that would otherwise be exported from the property.

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The stored electricity can then be used later in the day when the panels are generating less power or have stopped producing electricity for the evening.

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Battery storage may be particularly useful where the household:

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• is normally away during daylight hours;

• uses substantial electricity in the evening;

• wants to use more of its own solar generation;

• charges an electric vehicle at home;

• uses a time-of-use electricity tariff; or

• is planning to install a heat pump.

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A battery is not essential for solar panels to operate. Some homeowners choose to install panels first and add battery storage later.

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Where this is being considered, the installer should confirm whether the proposed inverter and electrical arrangement will be compatible with a future battery.

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How Many Solar Panels Does a Home Need?

 

There is no standard number of solar panels that is suitable for every property.

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The appropriate system size will depend on:

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• annual electricity consumption;

• available roof area;

• panel output;

• roof direction and pitch;

• shading;

• expected generation;

• battery capacity, where included; and

• anticipated future electricity use.

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A professional proposal should identify the number of panels, individual panel output, total system capacity and estimated annual generation.

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It should also explain the assumptions used to calculate potential savings.

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Homeowners should be cautious about quotations that promise highly specific savings without reviewing the property, electricity bills and normal pattern of household consumption.

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Do Solar Panels Require Planning Permission?

 

Many conventional domestic rooftop solar installations may be completed without making a full planning application, provided the proposal complies with the relevant limitations and conditions.

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However, additional planning controls may affect:

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• listed buildings;

• properties in conservation areas;

• prominent roof slopes;

• flat-roof installations;

• freestanding solar equipment;

• unusually large or projecting systems; and

• properties where permitted development rights have been restricted.

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Requirements can also differ according to the location of the property and the type of installation proposed.

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Homeowners should establish the planning position before work begins, particularly where the property is listed, located in a conservation area or subject to additional planning restrictions.

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Where permission is required, accurately prepared roof plans, elevations and supporting information can help the local authority understand the appearance and position of the proposed installation.

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What Happens During a Solar Panel Installation?

 

A typical solar project begins with a survey and system design.

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The installer should inspect the roof, assess shading, measure the available space, review the electrical installation and discuss the household’s current and future electricity requirements.

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A written proposal should then explain the equipment, layout, estimated generation, warranties and total installation cost.

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The physical work may include:

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1. erecting scaffolding or suitable access equipment;

2. installing roof hooks, rails or another mounting system;

3. securing the solar panels;

4. installing the inverter;

5. completing the required electrical cabling;

6. connecting the system to the consumer unit;

7. installing monitoring equipment;

8. testing and commissioning the installation; and

9. providing certificates, warranties and operating information.

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The installer may also need to notify or obtain approval from the relevant electricity network operator, depending on the size and design of the installation.

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Comparing Solar Panel Quotations

 

Homeowners should ideally obtain more than one detailed quotation before choosing an installer.

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Each quotation should clearly identify:

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• the panel manufacturer and model;

• the number and output of the panels;

• the total system capacity;

• the proposed panel layout;

• the inverter manufacturer and specification;

• estimated annual generation;

• predicted household savings;

• assumptions about electricity use and export;

• battery capacity, where included;

• scaffolding and access costs;

• product warranties;

• workmanship guarantees;

• monitoring arrangements;

• certification responsibilities; and

• the complete installed price.

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The quotations should be compared on a like-for-like basis. A lower price may reflect fewer panels, lower-output equipment, shorter warranties or the exclusion of scaffolding and other necessary work.

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The quality of the installer’s survey and explanation can also provide a useful indication of the service that is likely to follow.

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Find Trusted Solar Panel Installers Near You

 

The performance of a home solar system depends on considerably more than the panels themselves.

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Survey accuracy, panel positioning, electrical design, inverter selection, roof fixings and proper commissioning can all affect the safety, reliability and long-term performance of the installation.

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An experienced installer should take the time to understand the property, the household’s current electricity consumption and any future plans before recommending a system.

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APN Solar helps homeowners find suitable solar panel installers serving their area. Whether you are considering solar panels alone, a system with battery storage or a wider home-energy upgrade, comparing professional quotations will help you understand the available options and make an informed decision.

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