An area to install the panels that is free from shading or obstacles that can block out the sun. It needs to be around 20m² for a 4KW system.

A solar panel is between 1.7m² & 2.1m². The smaller panel usually is less in watts and therefore you need more of them to get to the same size output of a larger panel. A standard 4kW system would take up around 20m². With all solar panel installations we need to leave a border or gap from the sides of the roof. This is worked out by our surveyors when they attend your location.

There are few ways to overcome some of the problems installers face when working with multiple panels. One is to use a string inverter with multiple inputs each with MPPT capability. This allows for different strings, not modules to have different orientation, tilts and module types without having one string hinder the performance of the other. The second option is to add DC optimisers to the string inverter system; these are like the micro-inverters. DC optimizers are installed at each module and make adjustments to the output on an individual basis.

There are strict laws and compliance in place to protect consumers, installers and contractors in solar PV. This is not something you can try at home. There is a serious risk of death and systems are designed to protect you at all times, but this is live electricity and just like educating a child not to put fingers in sockets, the same rules apply. Don’t touch things that could cause harm. Call the experts or professionals.

The main difference between the two technologies is in the crystal purity of the panel cells. Monocrystalline solar panels have solar cells made from a single crystal of silicon while polycrystalline solar panels have solar cells made from several fragments of silicon melted together. The crystalline purity of the cells of monocrystalline solar panels is therefore much higher than that of polycrystalline solar panels.

Tier one panels are classified based on the volume of large scale projects using them within a specific time frame and carry Tier 1 status as they are a preferred product. Our current Q-Cells or JA solar panels are both Tier 1 approved.

The Feed in Tariff or FIT is a financial incentive backed by the government and is paid from your electricity supplier. This is to encourage you to create your own clean electricity. Every KWH of energy that your system produces generates a fixed income regardless of whether you use it or not and any electricity not consumed can be sold back to the grid.

No solar panels require daylight to work so even when the sun isn’t shining your still generating.

They have a life expectancy of over 20 years, the manufacturer warranties start at 5 years with some going up to 20 years.

Yes as they will be providing the FIT payments.

Not usually but if you live in an area of conservation or your property it’s always worth checking.

An EPC is an Energy Performance Certificate this shows how energy efficient your property is. To achieve the maximum FIT payment the property must be a band D or above.

Solar batteries can be an excellent long-term investment for any homeowner or small to medium business owner. It is, however, vital to consider a number of factors when deciding whether a battery will save you money or not. The main cost for a solar battery comes with its initial purchase and installation. A number of batteries will have a 10-year warranty included, providing piece of mind, and supporting the fact that solar storage systems will provide a return on investment and not require frequent replacements.

Solar Batteries can greatly improve the money-saving potential created when a solar PV system has been installed on a house. Having a solar battery system in place will increase the self-consumption of your existing solar PV system. As well as reducing your daily electricity costs, having this unit in place will also reduce your environmental impact, lowering your carbon footprint. In addition to this, it is also possible to operate independently from the UK power grid for a period. With energy companies frequently increasing their energy prices, having a solar battery in place will go a long way to lowering the impact of these price hikes.

It is not necessary to have a Solar Battery present in order to have a functioning Solar PV System as Solar Panels and Solar Batteries are independent components. A Solar Battery will require an installation of panels in order to store energy, however, Solar Panels can supply energy in real-time and feed any excess energy produced back into the grid. Doing so can allow for a secondary power source to be available, independent of the National Grid, allowing for continued power usage during any potential power outages.

The lifespan of a solar battery is determined by the number of cycles it can use. A battery cycle is defined as the number of times a battery can be fully charged and discharged before they reach the end of their functional life. Cycle life specifications can vary substantially depending on their internal chemistry. Fortunately, lithium-ion batteries, which solar storage units primarily use, have the greatest number, typically having 4000-8000 cycles within their lifetime.

The majority of solar batteries used in recent years have lithium-ion compositions, with this battery type being found in many everyday electrical appliances such as mobile phones, laptops, calculators and laser point printers. Whilst lead-acid batteries are still commonly used, the associated technology is far older than that of lithium-ion batteries. Accordingly, lithium-ion batteries operate more efficiently, with longer life spans, and provide greater depth of discharge.

DC Coupled: These batteries are installed on the same side of the solar inverter as the solar PV panels. They charge from the panels and their DC is only converted to AC when it’s used. If installed at the same time as a Solar PV system, the battery and panels would usual share the same inverter, commonly known as a ‘Hybrid’ inverter. DC-coupled systems can be retrofitted without changing your current inverter; however, you will need a charge controller for your battery. Pro – More efficient power transfer than AC by up to 3%. AC Coupled: These batteries are installed on the grid-side, where the solar PV’s DC has already been converted to AC. A separate inverter converts the AC back to DC for storing in the battery. When the battery discharges, the same separate inverter converts the DC back to AC. Pro – Higher energy capacity as you get the combined power from battery and solar PV system.

Some home battery systems can power your home in the event of a power cut, but not all products of this type are designed with this capability.

Yes, there are a couple of ways to do this. One is to use the dedicated Zappi charger, which diverts excess generation into an electric
vehicle. In this way, what would have been exported back to the grid is now providing you with zero-carbon mobility. However, you
would need to have your EV parked up at home during the day.

The alternative is to use a battery system to store this energy, and then discharge this into your EV in the evening/night-time. The battery would also cover your household loads one the sun has gone down.

No. Electric vehicles charge from an AC supply.

It depends on the battery size in your car and the power of your charge point. Typically plug-in hybrids (e.g. Golf GTE, Prius) charge at a rate of 3.7kW, fully charging within 3 hours. Fully electric cars (e.g. Tesla) can charge at 7.4kW on a single phase supply but have a much bigger battery, a 75kWh Tesla Model S would take 10 hours to fully charge. A 3.7kW charge charges at a rate of approximately 12mph, a 7.4kW charge would charge at a rate of approximately 24mph.

There are two standard connectors which different models of EV use (Type 1 and Type 2), the market is moving to using Type 2 as standard but charge points are available in either and there are also Type 1 to Type 2 adaptor cables.

Fast charging refers to any vehicles or chargers that are capable of charging from 7kW to 22kW. They can charge the typical Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) in around eight hours, depending on the size of the battery. While the 22kW fast chargers are quicker, they are require a 3-phase connection which are not usually found in the average domestic property.

Rapid charging refers to vehicles or chargers that are capable of charging from 43kW to 150kW. They are not available in domestic properties and are usually located at service stations, cities, and supermarkets, although rapid chargers at fuel stations are expected to become commonplace.

A socket-only charger means there is no charging lead included/attached. This means you can use both Type 1 and Type 2 connection leads, but you will need to purchase these leads separately if they did not come with the vehicle. These types of chargers are described as untethered and sometimes as a ‘Universal’ charger. Some people prefer the flexibility an untethered charger offers, while other like the convenience of the cable already being attached when they get home.

The UK Government is leading the way to ensure that EV charging points are Smart. As per the government definitions published on 14 December 2018, this means charge points must be able to be remotely accessed, and capable of receiving, interpreting and reacting to a signal. Smart EV charging can also reduce high peaks of electricity demands, minimising the cost of electric vehicles to the electricity system – and keeping costs down for consumers by encouraging off-peak charging.

A socket-only charger means there is no charging lead included/attached. This means you can use both Type 1 and Type 2 connection leads, but you will need to purchase these leads separately if they did not come with the vehicle. These types of chargers are described as untethered and sometimes as a ‘Universal’ charger. Some people prefer the flexibility an untethered charger offers, while other like the convenience of the cable already being attached when they get home.