When you decide to invest in a solar installation you get to use the power it generates for free, for the lifetime of the system (usually 25 years+). Any electricity they don’t use is exported to the grid. The initial capital cost is offset within a few years by the savings from self-generation.

In addition, the more renewable energy you can generate, the less energy the UK has to produce or purchase from carbon-heavy fossil fuel power stations. The less we need imported oil, coal and gas, the less reliant we are on the world market, and the fewer new power stations we need to build.

Solar PV electric panels do not require bright sunlight in order to operate, meaning that you can still generate electricity on cloudy days. The electricity produced is either consumed directly by appliances in the building or, if more power than required is generated, it is exported to the grid. At night, or when the system is not producing enough energy, power is supplied by the grid in the normal way.

Government subsidy in the form of the feed-in tariff (FIT) closed in April 2019.

However, starting April 2022, homes in the UK can now benefit from zero VAT on the materials and installation of energy-efficient measures.

After five years, the VAT-free period will end, and the rate will return to 5%. #

So, the combination of solar panel grants plus the scrapping of the VAT brings homeowners closer now more than ever to achieving renewable energy sources.

The VAT on renewables was 5%, which was already low, but scrapping it will see the typical family with rooftop solar panels saving more than £1,000 on installation and £300 annually on their energy bills.

The 0% VAT also applies to other energy-saving materials, besides solar panels, such as heat pumps, biomass boilers, insulation, and more.

Solar PV works from daylight and not direct sunlight, but normally more power is produced on a sunny day than on an overcast or cloudy one. PV panels do not produce energy in the dark and so during the night electricity is drawn from the grid in the normal way.

In most cases installing solar panels on your roof does not require planning permission as they are considered ‘permitted development’ under planning law. There are, however, some rules and exceptions that must be observed. For example, it is important to consult you local council’s planning department for advice if your house is in an area of outstanding natural beauty or is a listed building. We are happy to advise and guide you in this area.

Solar Panels can be fitted to your roof or on your land. Generally an 8-panel Solar PV system would be one of the smallest we would recommend and this could easily fit on the roof of an average 3-bed semi. Our popular SunPower panels generate the most energy per m2 so you can still get plenty of electricity from a smaller roof

No, Solar Panels work in all daylight conditions and actually work at their optimum at 10ºc. In fact, if it gets too hot they start to become increasingly inefficient.

Your panel choice will usually combine a number of factors including aesthetics, value for money, performance, track record and guarantees. Our engineers know the market and can advise you on the panels that will suit your needs.

Solar Panels work well on any roof facing South, SE or SW. Although your Solar Panels will perform better and produce more electricity if they are South facing, they will still perform at 86% (compared to South facing) either facing due East or West.

Your Solar Panels will come with a manufacturer’s guarantee of the panels performance. Different manufacturers offer different guarantees, with the more premium levels of protection usually associated with the more expensive panels. It’s wise to make sure you understand the guarantee before you purchase.

Solar PV systems have no moving parts apart from the inverter and as such have very long life spans. The inverter should last for over 10 years and may cost up to £1,000 to replace, however you can buy an extended 20 year warranty for as little as £300. You should expect the panels to last for at least 25 years.

Most domestic Solar Panel installations take no more than a day or 2 with minimum disruption. Typically, the scaffolding will be erected a couple of days before the Solar PV installation team arrive but sometimes it happens on the day. We will then mount the panels on the roof and install the inverter, finally carrying out the internal wiring and then commission your system.

Its highly unlikely, when we install the Solar PV panels we make sure they are securely attached to the fabric of the building using a roof hook and rail system. Our panels are always mounted at least 30cm in from the edge of the roof to prevent excessive wind loading. In the hurricane force winds of February 2014 not a single EnergyMyWay installed Solar panel blew off a roof.

The electricity produced by your Solar Panels is converted from DC (direct current) by the inverter to AC (alternating current), which your home is run on. The electricity is then taken from the inverter via an AC cable to your distribution board, where it is used to power the circuits in your home.

Solar PV panels alone will not give you electricity 24 hours a day as they only produce electricity in daylight hours. You would need alternative energy sources or a battery system as well as Solar PV panels to be able to come off grid.

If there is a power cut your inverter will switch off, which stops any generation from your Solar Panels entering the property. This is a safety feature to protect workers who may be repairing the grid. However, we can install a back-up system which will enable you to use your solar energy in a power cut.

If you want to be paid for any the excess electricity you generate you will need to have a smart meter, most electricity suppliers are installing them free of charge for their customers if you don’t already have one.

Yes. However, there is a Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) where you are guaranteed payments for the excess electricity you generate and sell back to the grid.