In the first of our DigiGuide series we’re going to be diving into the world of solar energy and discussing all things Solar Panels. We’ll fight our way through the fog to find out exactly how it all works and what it means in simple terms for the average homeowner. We’ve teamed up with the expert team at London-based Deege Solar to bring their technical insight, and Insta-famous homeowners and solar supporters, @OurSolarJourney, to bring you both sides of the coin. Is it time to go solar? Let’s find out…
The UK is slumped in the middle of an energy crisis right now, with rising fuel costs and soaring monthly bills resulting in a cost of living catastrophe. Recently, the Government intervention doesn’t go far enough and even Martin Lewis, the Money Saving Expert, is fresh out of ideas! It’s no surprise that Deege Solar has seen enquiries for solar panels TREBLE in recent months!
As attention mounts on the global stage, you can feel a noticeable shift in the mainstream media as political parties and celebrity circles add heat to this crucial conversation, and there is no doubt that the world is waking up to the climate issues we’re facing - we’re seeing more electric cars on the road, solar panels are becoming increasingly commonplace in our towns and cities and household recycling is at an all time high, as we all seek to boost our green credentials.
However, the current crisis means it is not only about saving our planet, but saving our pennies too! So, buckle up and let’s shine some light on SOLAR PANELS!
This article is categorised into four parts: Initial things to consider, the financials, things to think about after installation and some final thoughts to round things off…
INITIAL THINGS TO CONSIDER
Will I need to change/upgrade my roof tiles or roof structure to install the solar panels?
Deege Solar: You won’t need to change your roof tiles or external structure to install solar panels. There are a variety of solar panel mounting systems, designed to suit a wide range of roof tiles, slate types and roofing membranes. In terms of longevity, installing a solar panel array actually protects the roof, protecting it from any direct downpour onto the structure. Of course if your roofing structure is fragile and needs to be repaired to begin with, it is worth looking at doing this before installing solar panels, for your own health and safety.
How long is the installation process?
Deege Solar: When we first started in the solar industry a typical installation would take a day. However, since there are more elements to solar now, immersion diverters, battery storage, and customers are seeking larger arrays, I would say that 80% of our solar installations are complete within 2 days. Sometimes it can be more, depending on the size of the system, the layout of the home, and cable route. This is discussed and determined via our remote survey and design process which is completely free.
Would I still be able to get instant hot water like I can with my combi-boiler?
Deege Solar: In terms of heating and solar, Solar PV panels produce electricity, whereas Solar Thermal panels produce hot water. Here at Deege Solar we specialise in Solar Photovoltaic Panels (PV), which are by far the more popular out of the two.
There are no current beneficial links between a gas boiler and solar PV panels. However, if you have an immersion tank like a hot water cylinder for your hot water they can still help support your central heating system. This is done through an immersion diverter, which will take your surplus (extra) energy you have produced from your Solar PV panels and feed it into the heating element in the immersion tank to heat your water directly from the sun.
This is said to save a household around 27% on gas and is becoming an increasingly popular option for many households.
How destructive is the installation to the inside of my property?
Deege Solar: The inside of the property may not even be worked on at all if you have a meter box outside. However, 70% of the time worked will have to take place inside the home as the consumer board is located there. Typically, under the stairs or in the hallway, and we must make a connection from that point up to the loft, or garage. Sometimes this is external, sometimes we try to find internal routes under the floorboards or carpets, it really depends on the home.
The installer will always suggest a few options and yes of course it will be destructive, having a load of engineers inside your home, drilling holes, running cabling, however these electricians are trained to find the most aesthetically pleasing options. If you choose an experienced installer such as ourselves, any mess or drilling will be dealt with properly. The aim is always to make a connection, run a wire, without the customer even noticing. And if that can’t be done, finish the job to the highest standard possible.
Our Solar Journey: One of the points of creating @oursolarjourney was to show how solar can be installed with no impact to the inside of the house. There is not a single cable/box/piece of trunking visible inside our house from the solar installation.
Do I need planning permission or to inform the local authority if I want to install solar panels?
Deege Solar: We advise letting the council know before installing solar panels, but unless it's an area of outstanding beauty, listed building or conservation area, then you’re not obligated too. We leave this decision up to the customer.
What is the average installation cost for solar panels (based on 3 bed property)?
Deege Solar: The Average installation cost for solar panels with battery storage on your average 3 bed property is currently £10,000.
Do they come in different styles so they can be less visible/more in keeping with the style of my property?
Deege Solar: Aesthetically solar panels have come along way. The main difference visually is either how the panels are mounted or in the color of the panels themselves. You can get triple black solar panels, black and blue or blue and silver panels, which everyone will have a different opinion on. As for mounting, traditionally solar panels are mounted on-roof however you can get in-roof solar panels which are becoming increasing popular especially amongst new build properties for their less visible sleeker aesthetics.
Do I still need an energy supplier and will my property rely entirely on the power generated from the solar panels, or can I use a mix of solar and gas/electric?
Deege Solar: Yes, you would still require an energy supplier as we fit grid connected systems and inverters. The aim is always to be as off grid as possible, however with a grid tied system you are always still supported by the grid which is a bonus. There are many perks of a grid tied system, including getting paid for your exported energy and charging your solar batteries from economy tariffs.
Having a solar panel system will simply mean you are not reliant on the National Grid. You will use the energy from your solar and battery, and then the National Grid will support you in times where your system is not meeting your demands i.e. when it’s a cloudy day and you are producing less solar energy than required. You may also add more load to your property down the line, for example adding an electric vehicle. We see the design phase as important to make sure the customer is self-sufficient from their solar panel system.
You don’t need to move energy provider when making the switch to Solar, however with economy tariffs out there you can charge your energy storage systems during the night on cheaper rates, there are definitely better energy providers that complement solar, and we will always recommend these to our customers. This will always change, so it’s worth being flexible.
What if it isn’t very sunny, will they still store enough energy to light and heat my home all the time?
Deege Solar: When you are thinking about investing in solar, you have to view the impact over the entire year. Of course during summer your panels will be at peak performance, and this will tail off towards the winter. However, we find that the majority of our customers are actually shocked by how much they still generate in the winter months.
If it’s not very sunny the solar panels will still generate, just probably around 50% less than they would in prime sunlight. If it’s a really dull, dark raining day, it could drop to around 15%. The weather of course effects the amount of energy solar panels can generate. However, the technology has proven to be feasible and still make an impact all year around, enough so that they are become an increasingly popular power source.
Do I need to install any additional technology within my home to use solar power?
Deege Solar: There is no additional technology required as part of a Solar PV System. Just your solar panels, solar inverter, battery storage system (which is optional but so worth it). With or without solar we advise you should always keep your electrical wiring up to current regulations especially if it improves the safety of the home and its occupants. If you are looking to claim export payments for the solar energy that you aren’t using, you will need to have a smart meter installed, however around 50% of homes already have taken this step.
What are the things to look out for for newbies?
Our Solar Journey: If possible, either from your energy bills or preferably a smart meter, have an understanding of your home usage across the day. Understanding your usage will help you understand what a solar solution may be able to cover across the day, if you have a high base usage (i.e. lots of devices/computers etc. always on, or a hot tub/pool) then you'll need a larger inverter and number of panels to provide enough power.
Equally, if your usage is relatively low, whilst a large solar solution will generate everything you need and more - what will you do with the more? It can be sold back to the grid, but is that what you're trying to achieve? Consider items such as an electric vehicle charger, smart immersion controller (if you have a hot water tank) and solar batteries to store energy for usage once the sun goes down - my smart immersion controller is probably the best part of what we have deployed!
Was there anything that you didn't know about but wish you did before making the switch?
Our Solar Journey: I wish that I'd had the same level of insight in to my energy usage before, as I would have absolutely then looked at adding additional battery capacity upfront - as a young family a lot of our usage is early evening, just after the sun sets!
LET’S TALK MONEY
How much money will I save each year on average (based on 3 bed property)?
Deege Solar: From experience, our values which are validated by Energy Performance Validation Scheme (EPVS) show that a 5kW solar panel system with around 10kWh of storage, including SEG payments will save £1,500 a year.
Check out Deege Solar’s estimation calculator for you property!
Based on current savings, what do you think the long term gain will be financially?
Our Solar Journey: I modelled my return on investment based on reducing utility bills, working with Deege Solar, at around 8 years, though I have actually increased our usage (exported only a small amount of the generated energy) which is helping reduce this time. The significant increase of gas/electric costs this year, essentially doubling the cost per unit of each, will significantly reduce the return on investment further meaning in just a few years the generated power really will be free!
Would every property save money or only larger properties that use more energy?
Deege Solar: Every property has the opportunity to save money with Solar. The savings for solar come from the money you are no longer using to buy energy from the National grid. How much you save simply depends on how much you are using and how much you are generating.
Bigger properties use more power, small properties use less power, bigger properties have more roof space, small properties have less roof space. Typically the size of the system works out right based on the size of the home. You will spend more money on a system for a bigger property, because the bills are usually bigger and the roof can facilitate more solar panels to generate the energy needed to manage this.
In general the savings for solar in terms of payback period and return on investment are directly proportional to the size of system and your energy usage. However, there are other factors, that can impact your solar savings. If you are using your solar panels to charge your electric car, or heat your hot water, you are taking your solar energy further and saving more. When it comes
to solar, it all depends on how you use the energy you are generating, and with advanced monitoring platforms you are able to control your energy like never before.
Is there any funding/incentives available to help me towards installation costs?
Deege Solar: In Scotland there is but not currently in England or Wales. However, as FCA regulated installers we can offer finance which makes it easier for those to invest in renewable technologies such as solar. The government are also always bringing out new incentives, so it’s worth keeping your eyes peeled.
If I install solar panels does it mean I won’t have any monthly bills - do they cost anything to run?
Deege Solar: Solar panels don’t cost anything to run, the only cost with solar panels is the initial installation fees. You will still have a monthly energy bill, with a standing charge from the grid, and for any power you may use during the night which will depend on the size of your storage system. EPVS, one of the many governing bodies within the solar industry will validate 80% of your solar as self-consumption leaving to be 20% exported.
You will still have an energy bill but there will be a massive reduction in that bill. How much you say? Well that depends on a number of variables, including the size of the system, the orientation, irradiance level of the area you live in, inclination of the roof and shading factors. It’s only until we have a specific design and solution for a home that we can really know how much a household is going to save.
If they generate excess energy can I sell this back to the National Grid and make money?
Deege Solar: Yes, you can with what is known as Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments. As an export tariff you essentially get paid per kWh for your excess solar energy, that you are unable to store or use yourself. By doing this you are not only earning some money, but also supporting the National Grid which will be experiencing more demand with the push of electrics vehicles. SEG tariffs are not difficult to find, as all energy companies with more than 150,000 customers must offer a SEG tariff. However, rates are different per provider, so it is important to stay up to date with the best deals possible and to always shop about. Grid trading is set to become a part of our future network to help stabilise the local infrastructure, which is an exciting asset of being a solar panel owner.
WHEN THEY’RE INSTALLED
How can I keep track of how much energy I’m using?
Deege Solar: Solar is really at an advanced point when it comes down to user feedback. Through both hardware and software, you can keep track of both how much energy you are using and generating. In terms of hardware, you will have a kwh unit meter and a generation meter for the solar panels, which will measure every kwh that is being generating. The inverter itself will also have a display which will give you a schematic diagram showing readings, and then there is software which will collect the historical data through the servers of inverter manufacturer so that you can see your readings and data from your smart devices.
This is great as it means you can analyse your data to see where you can be saving more, for example by changing what time of the day you put your washing machine on, as well as being a great indication if anything is wrong with your system, such as if it is underperforming.
How often do they need servicing?
Deege Solar: When it comes to solar, there are no moving parts, so unless the system is tampered with or if there is a firmware issue which can be checked remotely through monitoring, then they require little to no maintenance. However, we would advise cleaning the panels once a year to ensure the panel is collecting as much energy from the sun as possible. With solar, TLC goes along way. The Inverters have a warranty of 10 years, so you may wish to check them around that time, but overall, the rule of thumb is unless there is something irregular in the data you are receiving, there is nothing to panic about. And your installer will have direct access to this data, if any irregularities were to incur.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Is now a good or bad time to make the switch to solar when gas and electricity costs are rising and set to increase even more over the next year?
Deege Solar: The enquires we have had for solar have tripled since the Ofgem new price cap announcement. Many households are looking for ways to be free from the Grid and fluctuating energy prices, and solar is a great solution to that. The price cap set by Ofgem will only continue to grow, as they try to ease in new energy prices.
To invest in solar energy now makes sense. It’s still at an affordable price, whereas in years to come who knows where the industry will be with material shortages, Brexit and battery demands. The solar technology now is also at its peak, in reality it is as if everything has come together at the right time to promote going solar now.
Our Solar Journey: The best time was yesterday, the next best time is today!
What are the main pros of installing solar panels on my property?
Deege Solar: Solar panels are the answer to many of the current living issues. For example, Solar panels work hand in hand with electric vehicles (EV), giving the option to charge your car from your solar energy at your front door. This means that solar energy can help facilitate the EV charging demand. Furthermore, with energy bills rising, Solar panels can save you up to 70% on your energy bills. And with climate change being a continuous threat, going solar would be a sustainable move for yourself, your home, and the planet. Installing Solar Panels is moving into the 21st century.
What motivated you to make the switch to begin with?
Our Solar Journey: I wanted to make both a financially and environmentally smart investment in our family home, I'm becoming ever more aware of how our lifestyle impacts the environment and starting with solar made sense to help minimise this. I felt this also offered a return on investment of sorts, certainly not a short term one, but the impact to our utility bills was immediate and is of course ongoing.
How has it impacted your life - are you now more conscious about other environmental concerns as a result?
Our Solar Journey: The granular visibility into our home energy usage has really appealed to my technical brain, which has made me consider how to optimise our home usage of course resulting in environmental benefits. I jokingly tweeted that my wife has never seen me do so much washing - but it's true, it makes sense for us to have our washing machine on more when it's sunny! I've also made more environmentally based decisions on home purchases, for example recently purchasing a Heat Pump tumble dryer which has a significantly reduced energy draw per load (60-70% less than our old model). Over the last couple of years, I've been focusing on shopping local and trying to support small businesses, not necessarily always environmentally focused but trying to live in a more sustainable manner.
WHAT NEXT?
So there we have it…Hopefully this article has been useful and has helped you to understand a little more about solar panels and if they are right for you. This is a whole new world to most of us but it is evident that the future is only moving in one direction. Our advice would be to read, read, read! Find a trustworthy source and ask lots of questions so that you’re confident in your decision if you’re considering moving to solar.
We'd like to say a huge thanks to the team at Deege Solar and Our Solar Journey for sharing their expertise and knowledge to produce this DigiGuide.
If you want expert advice and a free quote for your property, the team at Deege Solar are on hand to answer your questions. Visit the website www.deegesolar.co.uk or email enquiries@deegesolar.co.uk. Don’t forget to also follow along with @oursolarjourney to see how they’re getting on after making the switch to solar!
We’ll see you soon, property people!
The DigiBuild Team
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