Solar PV FAQ
What are the pros and cons between a free Solar PV system, a diy system and what Empower Energy are offering?
To buy or not to buy: Which? free solar report explained here
What is the cost of a solar pv system?
Most homeowners install a system between 2-4KW. A rule of thumb is that the system will generally cost between £2,000 - £3,000 per KW
Is there enough sunlight in the UK for a solar PV system to work?
There is plenty of sunshine available in the UK for generating electricity. The map below shows average total solar irradiation (kWh/m2) at 30 degree incline facing due south. However, there is considerable seasonal variation of the order 5:1 between summer and winter sunlight availability, with implications for the amount of useful energy captured by the solar panels at different time of the year
Will i need planning permission?
Unless you live in a listed building it is very unlikely you will require planning permission to install a photovoltaic system on the sloping roof of your building.
Installations which project over 20cm above the highest point of the building (excluding chimneys) and on the walls of buildings in conservation areas, which are visible from a public highway, will most likely need permission.
Ground installations no higher than 4 metres, at least 5 metres away from public or private boundaries and no bigger than 9 metres squared, do not require prior planning permission.
The same applies to homes within conservation areas, so long as the ground array is not visible from a public highway.
If in doubt about any issues concerning planning permissions, feel free to give us a call and of course, contact your local authority.
Is my roof suitable?
If your roof faces South, Southwest or Southeast, with an angle of between 30°-50° and is free of obstructions then it may be optimal for solar photovoltaic panels. Solar panels can also be mounted for use on the ground or flat roofs.
We have been able to design viable systems on properties with some amount of shading or West or East facing roofs by using some of the other technologies we have available.
We will never fit a system to a property which we do not believe will give a reasonable return.
What Kind of panel do you use?
We are not tied to any particular brand of panel, and working with many different panels means we have a number to recommend depending on budget. We are also able to take any preferences the customer may have into account. When we carry out a site visit we tend to offer customers 3 different quotations within a range of price-points, and include predicted performance etc for each to allow them to make an in-formed choice – we also offer to compare our system against any other designs the customers may have received.
We have selected the panels we use for their high efficiency when compared and analysed using our expert software, and have included example quotations and data sheets for some of our commonly used panels as an illustration.
There are a number of things to consider when choosing a type of panel; The best panel for the size and the orientation of the available roof space, and also aesthetic elements such as the shape and colour of the panels
What Kind of inverter do you use?
We frequently use Fronius inverters, due to their outstanding efficiency, however as with our panels we are not tied to any one type of inverter. Our systems are bespoke designs for each property, and we always carefully select the most suitable inverter based on the brand and number of panels used in the system.
What is involved in a site visit?
One of our technicians will come to visit your property at a time convenient for you. The purpose of the visit is simply to gather all the information required to produce a tailored quotation and accurate system design.
The technician will need to take a number of measurements and photographs of your roof, as well as photographing your fuse box and evaluating the best route for cabling to the loft. They will also ensure your roof is suitable and free of shading or obstructions and assess ease of access for scaffolding
They will be happy to discuss any queries or concerns you may have, and the overall visit should take no more than half an hour.
How long does an installation take?
Installation itself should take only two days, with the scaffolding being erected on the first and the panel and electrical installation taking place on the second. We like to tell our customers to allocate three days to allow for one day contingency.
How do you attach the panels to my roof?
The panels are fixed to the roof using specialist mounts, secured to the joists with anchors. Our roofers take up the tiles on the roof and dress them back down to ensure water/weatherproof protection. We never drill through tiles or use rubber stop-pers which can degrade and leak.
Am I covered for any damage that occurs to my property during the install?
Yes we are liable in the unlikely event that damage occurs to your property during our installation.
