FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Solar panels work by converting the energy from the sun into electricity that can be used inside of the home or business. During the daytime, trillions of photons of light hit the solar panel which then displace electrons inside the solar panel, this movement of electrons is known as electricity. These electrons start to flow inside of the solar panels as a direct current which can be converted into alternating current to be used when required or stored for later use in a solar battery.

From april 2008 solar panels were designated as permitted development meaning that in most cases planning permission is no longer required. The only exceptions to this are if your property is a listed building or your property is situated in a conservation area. It is possible to still receive planning permission in these cases but it would be at the discretion of your local planning authority.

In the UK the optimal roof direction for solar panels is south-facing. This is because a south facing roof receives the most sunlight over the course of a day, but east or west facing roofs can also work very well and will produce electricity for a large portion of the day. As there is often cloud cover in the UK the sunlight becomes diffused which means orientation has less importance. North facing roofs can therefore be suitable too, producing as much as 60% of the power that a south facing roof will.

Solar panels work very efficiently in the UK. Solar panels work more efficiently in colder temperatures and they do not require direct sunlight to work. This means that solar panels can produce a considerable amount of electricity on cloudy days and during the winter season.

Every home is different but on average a one bedroom house will require around 6 panels and a three bedroom house requires around 10. If your electricity usage is higher and you have space then it is usually best to fit as many panels as you safely can. We only supply top quality panels from the world’s leading manufacturers so you can be assured of their output.

In just one hour, the energy from the sun that lands on the earth’s surface contains more power than humanity consumes in an entire year. By capturing just some of that energy with solar panels, we can reduce our need to burn fossil fuels. Solar panels create electricity without emissions or pollution, meaning their impact on the environment is minimal.

This is not a straightforward question to answer due to the many differences each property has. The average installation with battery storage reduces bills by between 50% and 90%.

Batteries store energy, so if you are producing more energy than you use from your solar panels throughout the day then it will likely make sense for you to store the excess in a battery. This will enable you to use that free energy at night, so you will continue to benefit from the free electricity your solar panels generated during the day and keep your electricity bills low. A well designed system from mygreenelectricity could mean that your property is able to run entirely from the free energy your solar panels produce, so you won’t have to pay for overpriced electricity ever again. Batteries also have the option to add an emergency circuit in the event of a power cut, meaning you’ll be able to get your most important systems back online should the worst happen.

Almost all properties in the UK are suitable for a solar panel installation, but if for some reason yours is one of the few that isn’t, then we will explain why and suggest some of the other forms of renewable energy that you could benefit from.

Solar panels are very low maintenance and require very little effort to keep them performing optimally. They are usually self cleaning with the typical rainfall that we experience in the UK, however it can be sensible to have them cleaned on occasion if you notice they have become soiled. As with all electrical items, it is wise to have them checked every few years to ensure they are still performing as expected and that no faults have developed.

A typical solar installation on a domestic property usually takes one to two days.

Solar panels have a performance warranty typically around 25 years. After this time they start to degrade and lose some of their ability to absorb sunlight. This does not mean that after the 25 years they wont generate any electricity, it just means that their output will be slowly reducing but they will keep generating electricity for many more years.

At mygreenelectricity we believe in the value of fair pricing for our customers. Our installations start from as little as £3600 for a 2.4kw system.

The only real risk with solar panel installation is finding a reputable company that will do a professional install and take every care to look after your property. Here at mygreenelectricity we pride ourselves on doing exactly that, we hold all the relevant qualifications, accreditations and insurances so you can be sure . Solar panels produce electricity so extra care should always be taken by using appropriate equipment if work needs to be carried out near them.

There have been multiple studies conducted that have confirmed that a solar panel installation will add a substantial amount to your homes value. A study by real estate company Zillow showed that solar panels raise a home’s value by 4.1%, on average – which would increase the average UK home’s value by £9,500.

Solar panels are a valuable addition to most properties in the UK. In the unlikely event they are not, we will be sure to let you know. What’s more, the initial assessment is free of charge, so enquire with mygreenelectricity today and discover the benefits of a solar panel installation at your property.

We advise that you should tell your home insurance provider that you are having solar panels installed.

Your installation can be completed in as little as 1 week, but it all depends on the system to be installed. For larger systems we will need to contact your District Network Operator or DNO. Smaller systems can be installed where the DNO is notified after the installation by making a G98 application. For larger systems a G99 or G100 application will need to be made prior to installation so may take longer to process.