Statistics show that in June 2022, across 1,178,241 installations in the UK, a total of 14.0 gigawatts of energy was being produced through solar power alone, a 2.4% increase on the previous year.
Solar power is fast-becoming a popular energy source for home-owners in Britain as it’s a way to save money on energy bills and reduce the household’s carbon footprint.
So, if you’re looking to install solar power for your property, this guide from the BFS team provides you with expert installation advice.
Assess the suitability of your home for solar power
Firstly, it’s important to check if your property is suitable for solar panels. Typically, homes with a south-facing roof that receive ample sunlight throughout the day are the best candidates for solar panel installation.
Additionally, you should ensure that your roof is in good condition and able to support the weight of the panels.
Use a BFS installer
Here at BFS our team of engineers are highly experienced in solar installation and will provide you with all the support you need, from the beginning of the process to the end.
In all our work, we’re committed to providing outstanding levels of service and support, so you can be sure that your installation will be a success.
Obtain planning permission for solar power
In the majority of cases, you won’t need planning permission to install solar panels on your home but if it’s a listed building or located within a conservation area, you may well need permission from the local council.
However, it’s important to note that even if you don’t need planning permission, there are a number of conditions that need to be met but these can be easily found and your engineer will always work in compliance with them.
Choose the right system for the needs of your home
Not all solar PV systems are the same, there are various types of systems available, including on-grid, off-grid, and hybrid, so it’s important that you determine which type of system will best suit your property.
An on-grid system is connected to the national grid and allows you to sell excess energy back to the grid. Meanwhile, an off-grid system is not connected to the grid, so you will need to rely on battery storage to power your home.
There’s also the option for hybrid system, which combines the benefits of both on-grid and off-grid systems, with any energy generated first stored in the home battery before going onto the grid.
Panel installation
The installation process will typically take between one or two days, depending on the size of the system.
Your installer will fit the panels onto your roof and connect them to the inverter, which converts the DC electricity generated by the panels into AC electricity that you can use in your home.
An inverter is the most important pieces of equipment and is often installed close to the break panel which is the main distribution points for electrical circuits.
Wiring the panel into the inverter may sound simple enough but incorrect wiring will lead to a system failure, which is why it should always be done by one of our professional electricians.
Regularly maintain your system
Regular maintenance will save you money in the long run and is essential to keep your solar panel system running efficiently. Make sure you clean the panels every few months so that you can maximise the panels’ absorption of sunlight.
It’s also necessary to have them inspected by one of our expert professionals at least once a year to make sure they’re operating to their potential.
If you’d like to find out more about our solar installation services, get in touch today.