Solar Panel Installation

Generate clean, renewable electricity and slash your energy bills with professional solar PV systems. From residential rooftops to commercial installations, our MCS certified engineers design and install high-performance solar arrays maximizing energy generation and financial returns.

Serving businesses and homes across England including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Bristol, Sheffield, Newcastle, Nottingham, and Southampton.

What are Solar Panels?

Solar panels, also called solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, are devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. Solar panels contain multiple solar cells made from semiconductor materials, typically silicon, that generate electrical current when exposed to sunlight. Multiple panels connected together form a solar array capable of generating substantial electricity to power homes, businesses, and industrial operations.

Modern solar panels are highly efficient, converting 20-22% of sunlight into electricity, with premium models achieving 22-24% efficiency. A typical domestic solar installation comprises 8-20 panels generating 3-10kW capacity, sufficient to provide 40-80% of average household electricity needs. Solar panels require minimal maintenance, operate silently with no moving parts, and typically last 25-30 years with minimal performance degradation.

How Do Solar Panels Work?

Solar panels generate electricity through the photovoltaic effect, a phenomenon where certain materials produce electrical current when exposed to light. Understanding this process helps appreciate the elegant simplicity of solar technology.

The Solar Generation Process:

• Light Absorption: Solar cells within panels are made from layers of silicon semiconductor material. When sunlight (photons) strikes the solar cell surface, the photon energy excites electrons in the silicon atoms, knocking them loose from their atomic bonds.
• Electron Flow: The solar cell structure includes positive and negative layers creating an electrical field. Free electrons are pushed toward the negative layer while positive charges move toward the positive layer, creating electrical current flow. Metal conductors in the cell collect these electrons, creating usable direct current (DC) electricity.
• DC to AC Conversion: Solar panels generate DC electricity, but homes and the grid use alternating current (AC) electricity. An inverter converts DC from panels into AC electricity matching grid voltage and frequency (230V, 50Hz in UK). Modern inverters achieve 95-98% conversion efficiency with minimal electrical losses.
• Powering Your Property: AC electricity from the inverter flows to your property distribution board, powering all electrical appliances, lights, and equipment. Your property uses solar electricity first, only drawing from the grid when solar generation is insufficient.
• Grid Export: When solar panels generate more electricity than your property consumes, surplus electricity automatically exports to the grid. Your electricity meter records this export, and you receive payment through Smart Export Guarantee schemes, turning your property into a small power station earning income.

Benefits of Solar Panels

Dramatic Electricity Bill Savings

Solar panels reduce electricity bills by 40-70% for typical households, saving £400-800 annually depending on system size and consumption patterns. With current electricity prices around £0.30/kWh, every kWh generated by solar saves 30p compared to grid electricity. A 5kW system generating 4,500 kWh annually saves £1,350 worth of electricity, though actual bill savings depend on self-consumption levels (typically 30-50% without batteries, 70-80% with batteries).

Smart Export Guarantee Income

Surplus solar electricity exported to the grid earns income through Smart Export Guarantee schemes. Export rates typically range 4-25p/kWh depending on supplier and tariff. A 5kW system might export 2,000-3,000 kWh annually, earning £80-600 additional income. Combined with electricity bill savings, total annual benefit from solar reaches £500-1,000+ for typical installations.

Increase Property Value

Properties with solar panels sell for 4-14% more than comparable properties without solar according to multiple studies. Solar installations signal low running costs, modern amenities, and environmental credentials increasingly valued by buyers. Energy Performance Certificate ratings improve with solar, making properties more attractive and easier to sell or rent.

Energy Independence

Solar panels reduce dependence on grid electricity and exposure to volatile energy prices. With battery storage, properties achieve 70-90% energy independence, insulating occupants from price increases. During power cuts, battery systems can provide backup power maintaining essential services. Energy independence provides financial security and peace of mind.

Environmental Impact

Solar panels generate zero-emission electricity, reducing carbon footprint substantially. A typical 5kW system offsets 1.5-2 tonnes of CO2 annually, equivalent to planting 75-100 trees or taking a car off the road. Over a 25-year lifespan, a single solar installation prevents 40-50 tonnes of CO2 emissions while the panels themselves are recyclable at end of life.

Low Maintenance & Reliability

Solar panels require minimal maintenance with no moving parts to wear out. Occasional cleaning (rain typically suffices) and visual inspections ensure optimal performance. Panels carry 25-year performance warranties guaranteeing at least 80-85% original output after 25 years. Inverters typically last 10-15 years with replacement costs £800-1,500. Total lifecycle maintenance costs are negligible compared to savings generated.

Solar Panel Efficiency & Performance

Solar panel efficiency determines how much sunlight converts into electricity. Modern panels achieve impressive efficiency levels with continuous technological improvements.

Panel Efficiency Ratings:

• Standard Panels: 18-20% efficiency, suitable for properties with ample roof space. Cost-effective option providing reliable performance at lower price points.
• Premium Panels: 20-22% efficiency, typical of high-quality mainstream brands. Excellent balance of performance, cost, and reliability for most installations.
• High-Efficiency Panels: 22-24% efficiency, maximizing generation from limited roof space. Essential for urban properties, complex roof layouts, or maximizing capacity within available area.

Factors Affecting Generation:

Orientation: South-facing roofs generate maximum electricity (100% potential). Southeast or southwest orientations achieve 95% of south-facing performance. East or west-facing roofs still generate 80-85% and work well, particularly with battery storage capturing morning or evening generation peaks.

Roof Pitch: Optimal pitch in UK is 30-40 degrees, though anything from 15-50 degrees works well. Shallow roofs (10-15 degrees) still achieve 95% generation. Pitched roofs self-clean naturally through rainfall maintaining panel cleanliness.

Shading: Even partial shading dramatically reduces generation. Trees, chimneys, or neighboring buildings creating shadows significantly impact performance. Our detailed shading analysis identifies issues before installation, optimizing panel placement or recommending tree pruning where appropriate.

Location: UK solar irradiance ranges 900-1,200 kWh/m²/year from north Scotland to south England. A 1kW system generates approximately 850-950 kWh annually in northern regions or 950-1,050 kWh in southern regions. Regional variations are relatively small, making solar viable throughout the UK.

Solar Panel Costs & Returns

Solar panel costs have decreased 70-80% over the past decade while efficiency has improved substantially, making solar installations increasingly attractive financially.

Installation Costs by System Size:

• 3-4kW System: £5,500-£7,500 installed (£1,375-1,875 per kW)
• 5-6kW System: £7,500-£10,000 installed (£1,250-1,667 per kW)
• 8-10kW System: £11,000-£15,000 installed (£1,100-1,500 per kW)
• Commercial 50kW: £50,000-£70,000 installed (£1,000-1,400 per kW)

Payback Periods:

Solar panel payback periods vary by system size, electricity consumption patterns, and self-consumption levels:

• Without Battery: 8-12 years typical payback for residential systems. Self-consumption typically 30-50% with remaining electricity exported at lower rates.
• With Battery Storage: 10-14 years typical payback including battery costs, but achieving 70-80% self-consumption dramatically improves financial returns and energy independence.
• Commercial Systems: 5-8 years payback typical due to higher daytime consumption matching solar generation and Enhanced Capital Allowances tax benefits.

Lifetime Returns:

Over a 25-year lifespan, a typical 5kW system costing £8,500 generates:

• Electricity bill savings: £16,000-20,000 (assuming £0.30/kWh and modest annual price increases)
• Export income: £2,000-4,000 from Smart Export Guarantee
• Total return: £18,000-24,000 for £8,500 investment
• Net profit: £9,500-15,500 over system lifetime

Solar Panels & Battery Storage

Combining solar panels with battery storage transforms system economics and performance. Batteries store excess solar generation during daytime for use during evenings and overnight when solar panels aren't generating but electricity consumption peaks.

Without batteries, typical households self-consume 30-50% of solar generation (using electricity as it's generated during daytime) with remaining 50-70% exported at low rates (4-15p/kWh). With batteries, self-consumption increases to 70-80% by storing daytime surplus for evening use, eliminating expensive grid electricity purchases (30p/kWh) and dramatically improving financial returns.



Battery systems sized 5-10kWh suit typical homes with 5-6kW solar installations. Batteries cost £4,000-8,000 installed, adding to payback period but substantially improving energy independence and resilience. During power cuts, battery systems provide backup power maintaining essential services like lighting, refrigeration, and heating controls.