Save up to 70% on your energy bills – estimated savings vary according to the consumer’s usage and property type. We have a team that can advise on a system that is right for your needs. Our designers will also advise if it is not financially beneficial for your circumstances.

As well as doing your bit for the environment, investing in solar PV panels can also help you cut the cost of energy. But how do solar panels work, how many do you need, and can you really run a whole house off solar energy alone? To find out, take a look at our comprehensive guide to solar PV panels that explains everything you need to know.

When it comes to homes, there used to be two main types of solar panel available:

· Poly-crystalline solar panels – these panels used to be the most popular option for homeowners. They offer a good balance between cost, efficiency, and maintenance.

· Mono-crystalline solar panels – are newer, more efficient and are the top choice for all manufacturers making them the best option.

Solar panels are made up of layers of photovoltaic cells. Each layer has a slightly different set of properties. When sunlight hits the panel, those properties react to create a current which in turn, produces something called DC (direct current) electricity.

For that energy to work in homes, it needs to be converted to an alternating current (AC electricity) using an inverter. The AC energy that’s generated can then be used, stored in batteries for later use or sold back to the National Grid.

Although solar panels feel like fairly modern technology, they’ve actually been around since the 1880s. In fact, in 1883, American inventor Charles Fritts designed the very first solar panels and positioned them on a New York City roof. His original design used selenium and gold which managed to convert around 2% of energy into useable power. In contrast, today’s PV panels offer between 15% and 20% efficiency.

Of course, the idea of using the sun’s energy dates back to ancient times. Greeks and Romans used mirrors and glass to amplify the sun’s rays to start fires (which is why a mirror on a window ledge can be so dangerous).

Solar PV panels vary in size depending on the manufacturer. Generally, individual solar panels measure 2m x 1m while energy output ranges from 400W (watts) to 440W per panel.

Individual panels can then be grouped together to create a solar array (or solar PV system) big enough to generate the electricity you need.

The number of PV panels you need depends on a number of aspects:

· The amount of energy you use (measured in kilowatt hours, kWh).

· The size of your roof and the weight it can carry(or the amount of land you can mount panels on).

· How many hours of sunshine or daylight you have where you live.

As a guide, the average UK home with four family members, uses around 3,800kWh every year which means you’d need enough solar PV panels to generate at least this amount.

For example, if you chose panels with an output of 400W each, you’d need 10 of these to create a solar array large enough to meet your household needs. If you chose panels with a higher output, you’d need less of them to generate the same amount of energy.

Bear in mind that not all your energy has to come from your solar panels. If you’ve got limited useable roof space, a smaller solar PV system can be used to offset some of your energy use, which would still help lower bills.

We are experts in our field & take all the above factors into account to design you a Solar PV system perfect for your requirements.

With the recent surge in energy prices, customers are saving up to £2000 per year on their electricity bills. Even more when coupled with battery storage.

Even prior to the energy costs surging in January 2022 research from the Energy Savings Trust, revealed you could save almost £300 on bills depending on where you live and how much energy you normally use. For instance, if you work from home, you’re likely to make greater savings compared to someone who isn’t home much during the day.

You can also earn money by exporting (selling) your unused energy back to the National Grid through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme. You’ll get paid per kilowatt, but that amount will depend on which supplier you sell to. Currently, payment rates vary significantly from 5p up to 20p per kilowatt, so it’s well worth comparing who’s offering what.

Don’t forget that savings aren’t just financial. The Energy Savings Trust also calculates that the average home using a solar PV array, could save one tonne of carbon every year, so you’ll be helping save the planet too.

Cost depends on a host of factors, including the size of system you want, the output of each panel and the amount of energy you want to generate. The type of PV panel you choose, and if you want battery storage, along with how the system is mounted, will also have an effect on what you pay.

With that in mind, it’s best to explore all your available options. That way, you can get a better idea of what solar PV system would suit your home and energy needs.

Receive payments for surplus energy generated from your system – you will receive the Smart Energy Guarantee SEG payments once your utility company has been informed the system has been installed. The rate of this payment varies between utility companies.

Lower carbon footprint – Harvesting your energy from the sun is recognised as a popular green method for producing energy and the technology is rapidly improving all the time

Can add value to your property – With the high prices of electricity, it is now an attractive selling point to have Solar, battery storage and EV chargers

Off set EV and heating etc costs – Many people with electric forms of heating, electric vehicles and other forms of high usage electricity are getting Solar/battery storage in order to massively reduce their bills.