Everything you need to make an informed decision
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it still worth installing solar panels now that the Feed-in Tariff has closed?
Yes, despite the removal of Government Feed-in Tariff, installs have been forecast to continue at the current rate and even increase in 2019 due to falling costs and increased awareness of the environmental and long-term economic benefits sought from installing solar panels.
What is a typical payback period for a commercial solar panel system?
The typical payback period for a commercial solar PV system is as little as 2-years. There are several variables which affect your payback period including the size of your PV installation, how much energy you use or export and whether you integrate energy storage. Contact us to find out exactly what your business could save by installing solar panels.
What is a typical payback period for a residential solar panel system?
The typical payback period for a residential solar PV system is 6-8 years. This is dependent on how many solar panels you install and how much of the energy you use in the home. Typically speaking the larger the PV system, the smaller the pay-back period. Adding battery storage can also affect your estimated returns. Please contact us for a desktop proposal.
Should I wait for technology to improve?
People often ask whether there is a new breakthrough on the horizon that they should hold-out for. In reality, over the 24 years that we have been in business we have found that breakthroughs in the lab rarely translate to practical solutions for people’s homes or businesses.
We only source tried and tested, ‘tier one’ products from the world’s leading manufacturers and will use the most up to date kit available at the point of installation. We will always notify you if there are any changes to the products listed in your design specification.
Do Solarsense provide a named project manager to supervise my installation?
Yes, every job is supported by a dedicated project manager. They will guide you every step of the way, including; DNO/G98/G99/grant applications, MCS registrations and planning permissions.
Solar PV FAQs
How are solar panels fixed to my roof? Will they cause damage?
Solar panels are typically mounted to a roof frame. It’s designed to maximize the strength and integrity of your roof, while remaining watertight.
Will the orientation of my roof affect the output of my Solar PV system?
Yes, ideally your Solar Panel installation is on a south-facing roof at an angle between 30-40 degrees. The orientation plays a crucial role in maximizing solar panel efficiency.
Will shading affect the output of my solar PV system?
Yes, shading should be avoided at all costs. Solarcrown will perform a shade analysis as part of any survey conducted and will highlight any shading issues as part of your quotation. There are technologies available that can reduce the effect of shading, however it’s worth checking the specifics with your design engineer.
Are there finance options available for a commercial solar PV system?
There are a number of funding options for installing commercial solar PV. We have partnered with some of the UK’s leading financial institutions and can offer up to 100% loans. Please contact us for more information.
Is it still worth installing solar panels now the Feed-in Tariff has closed?
Yes, despite the removal of Government Feed-in Tariff, installation now delivers financial to continue at the current rate and even increase in 2019 due to falling costs and increased performance of the environmental and long-term economic benefits though lower relying costs and maintenance.
Are there any subsidies for installing commercial solar PV?
No, not at this current time. The Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme was closed in March 2019 for new registrations and there are no subsidies on the horizon. Solar PV technology has matured over the years and has become cost-effective through advanced manufacturing and scale.
Are there grants available for businesses to install solar panels?
There are often grants available for installing renewable technologies. Please contact us for more information as to what is available.
Can you install solar panels top a roof containing asbestos?
This simple answer is yes. However, as a professional company with a high regard for health and safety, there are procedures that we must follow.
How long do solar panels last and does efficiency drop over time?
High quality solar panels are likely to last up to 40 years and degrade by approximately 0.5% per annum. The average warranty for a solar panel is between 5-12 years however in many cases it is possible to extend the powers of our panels. SunPower currently offer the longest warranty on the market of up to 25 years.
Can my business continue to operate during a solar panel installation?
Yes, in most cases installing solar panels will not affect your business operating as normal. For obvious reasons we advise that schools, academies and other commercial rooftops must have zero PV system capture of them being installed.
What is a typical payback period for a commercial solar PV system?
The typical payback period for a commercial solar PV system is 4-8 years. This is dependent on how many solar panels you install and how much of the energy you use this offsets. Typically, businesses looking for ROI can install a system that directly fits their required energy needs.
Are all Solarcrown operatives qualified and do they carry CSCS cards as standard?
Our installation team are made to wear CSCS and site safety cards.
What is a typical payback period for a residential solar panel system?
The typical payback period for a residential solar PV system is 6-8 years. This is dependent on how many solar panels you install and how much of the energy you can use. For a typical property, this is about 4-6 years. Adding battery storage can also affect your estimated returns.
Is Solarcrown accredited for health & safety?
Solarcrown has maintained compliance with the CHAS Standards in line with Safe Contractor approval and has been awarded accreditation to the requirements of the CSHG legislation 2015. In addition to health and safety compliance, Solarcrown has also been awarded full compliance for ISO 9001 Quality Management, ISO 14001 Environmental Management BS OHSAS 18001 & Modern Slavery Compliance.
What are the best solar panels available?
There are many panels on the market available at the moment. The key manufacturers include Jinko, SunPower, LG, REC, Canadian Solar. Each manufacturer offers certain choosing your solar panels including efficiency, price, appearance, and warranty.
What solar panels do Solarcrown install?
Solarcrown are independent contractors, we have no ties to specific products and only source tried and tested. We use products from the world’s leading manufacturers. This offers several quality options for domestic and commercial clients.
What is the lead time to solar panel installation?
The lead time prior to installation is generally two to four weeks.
Is the UK good for solar generation?
The UK – contrary to the popular misconception – is ideally situated to gain maximum yields from photovoltaic solar energy. This is due to a combination of high levels of sunlight and cool ambient temperatures which improves PV panel efficiency.
How does Solar PV work?
Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic cells which capture and convert the sun’s energy into electrical current (DC electricity). This DC electricity is then passed through an inverter to create usable alternating current (AC) electricity for your property.
Should I wait for technology to improve?
People often ask whether there is a new breakthrough on the horizon that may hold out for a really great PV system in the next few years. Technology is constantly improving, but waiting could mean missing out on significant savings.
Do Solarcrown provide a named project manager to supervise my installation?
Yes, every job is supervised by a dedicated project manager. They will guide you every step of the way, including CNCs/DBS/Other pre-applications, MCS registration and planning permissions.
Battery Storage FAQs
Will solar batteries work during a power outage or brownout?
In most cases no, however Tesla have released their long-awaited island mode that will allow the battery to work without being connected to the National Grid. This is an additional cost and worth checking with your engineer.
Will the installation of a battery affect my Feed-in Tariff payments?
No, in most cases solar PV batteries are AC coupled meaning that the energy is stored after your inverter has converted the energy from DC and your meter has measured it.
Do Solarsense install Tesla batteries?
Yes, we are a certified Tesla Powerwall installer. We install battery storage solutions for homeowners and businesses.
What batteries do Solarsense install?
Our challenge is to identify the best products for your specific site and the way you use your energy. If you have a preferred product or specific manufacturer that you would like to use, we can build this into your quotation and offer advice to similar panels or a like for like system.
How long will a battery last?
Like the life of your mobile phone, the lifespan of your battery will depend on how often it is charged and discharged. Each manufacturer offers a minimum number of charging cycles and a warranty period as standard.
What are battery units made of?
There are a number of different technologies on the market, but generally speaking most solar batteries use lithium-ion technology due to its higher efficiency and depth of discharge.
How big are battery storage solutions? What are the dimensions?
Battery units are typically modular and stackable but vary in size depending on the manufacturer. For a smaller to medium sized business a single battery can be mounted on the ground or to a wall using a bracket.
For larger-scale solutions containing a number of units, you may need to consider a plant room or similar. A 2MW battery is likely to occupy the footprint of a shipping container or similar.
Solar Carport FAQs
What permissions do I need to install a solar carport?
A solar carport will generally require planning permission from the local authority. Similar to connecting a solar PV system, a solar carport will also need permission from the local distribution network operator (DNO).
Can I specify which panels to use on a solar carport?
Yes, absolutely. Solarsense are independent contractors and have no ties to specific products. If you have a preferred product or specific manufacturer that you would like to use, we can build this into your quotation and offer advice to similar panels or a like for like system.
What is the economic payback for a solar carport?
A solar carport is much slower to recover its capital cost when compared to a simple roof mounted solar PV system. The payback period is reduced in line with the size of the installation, as the fixed costs are spread across more solar PV panels.
EV Charging FAQs
How long will it take to charge my car?
This will depend on the EV charger’s power output and the charging mode you select, as well as the size of your car battery. Some electric cars can charge in as little as 30 minutes, while others may take 4 hours or more.
What is a ‘smart’ EV charge point?
A ‘smart’ EV charge point is a charge point which is connected to the internet. There are a number of advantages of installing a smart charge point including; energy usage reports, remote diagnostics and over the air updates.
Is there any financial support for installing an EV charge point at home?
Yes, The Electric Vehicle Home Charge Scheme (EHVS) provides grant funding of up to 75% towards the cost of installing electric vehicle charge points at domestic properties across the UK.
Is there any financial support for installing an EV charge point at work?
Yes, the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is a government grant for electric vehicles offered by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV).
The WCS reduces the purchase and installation cost of a new workplace EV charge point by 75% (capped at £500 per socket).
Solar Hot Water FAQs
What is solar thermal?
Solar thermal systems use free heat from the sun to create hot water. A solar thermal system typically consists of solar collectors, a pump and a twin coil hot water cylinder which acts as a thermal store.
Are there any requirements before having a solar thermal installation?
A solar thermal system needs to feed into a twin coil hot water cylinder, so that it can be used in conjunction with another heat source. If your home or building uses a combi boiler, there will be no existing hot water cylinder, so a new high-pressure cylinder would need to be fitted. These can fit easily into an airing cupboard, loft or utility space, and provide the dual benefit of fuel savings from solar thermal and a better flow rate from the high-pressure cylinder.
An old or single coil hot water cylinder will need to be replaced with a twin coil cylinder. Solarsense can identify and provide all kinds of heating upgrades necessary for the installation of a solar thermal system and can supply these as part of an installation package.
How efficient is solar thermal?
Our solar thermal evacuated tube heat collectors are manufactured in the UK and specifically designed for Northern European climates. The vacuum inside each tube provides perfect insulation from external conditions, meaning that the system produces hot water throughout the year regardless of temperature or wind chill.
A correctly sized solar thermal system will provide around 70% of annual domestic hot water demand and can assist underfloor heating and swimming pools if specified for this demand.
Solarsense have been working with world leading vacuum tube manufacturers Thermomax (now part of Kingspan Renewables) since the mid-1990’s.
How does solar thermal work?
Sunlight falling on each tube is collected as heat by the copper plate. The tubes can be rotated to put the plate at the best angle to catch the sun. Inside each tube, mounted on the plate, is a copper tube which screws into the manifold. The copper tube contains alcohol which conducts heat from the copper to the water in the manifold above.
The solar thermal system heats the water in the cylinder via one heating coil. This means it can easily be used in conjunction with a traditional boiler or immersion heater, for occasions when the solar thermal is not producing hot water, e.g. during the night.
Heat Pump FAQs
What are my expected energy savings when installing a heat pump?
The savings you can make using air or ground source heat pumps will be affected by a number of factors including building construction, the heating fuel being replaced and the type of heat distribution system in use (radiators, warm air or underfloor for example).
Solarsense installers will always carry out a full survey of your property before making recommendations on which technology to install. This ensures our assessment of the savings you can expect to see are based on your actual property and how you use it.
Do I need planning permission for a heat pump?
Heat pumps are generally allowed as permitted developments in England, but you should check with your local planning office to see if you will require planning permission or not. If you do require permission, Solarsense are experienced in putting forward the required paperwork and will be able to help you with your application.
Do heat pumps require maintenance?
The heat pumps installed by Solarsense come with a 10-year manufacturer warranty, however typically last for 20 years or more. We would recommend that owners carry out a visual inspection each year and that our installers check them over once every five years.
Solar Park FAQs
What is a solar park?
A solar park or solar farm is a large-scale solar photovoltaic array that is installed to generate renewable electricity. The solar panels convert direct sunlight into electricity and feed it into the local electricity grid via inverters, which convert the current from DC to AC.
How much land is required for a solar park?
A 5MW solar park will typically require around 25 acres of land (10 Hectares). As a rule of thumb, you will require approximately 5 acres per MW of installed solar panels.
Does a solar park impact local landscape?
A solar park can be appropriately designed and located so that it has a minimal visual impact on the surrounding area. A well-designed solar park will utilise natural screening such as contours in the land and existing hedgerows without sustaining the effects of solar shading. Screening and biodiversity can be improved by planting trees and hedgerows; Solarsense will take this into account during the planning process.
Solar Finance FAQs
Property Lease and Power Purchase Agreement
If you move or sell your property within the agreed term, the lease of the roof space and the Power Purchase Agreement are transferred to the new building owner and they will then continue to enjoy the benefits of the discounted clean, green electricity the system generates.
If I opt for a PPA, what happens if the solar PV system breaks down or develops a fault?
Our remote monitoring equipment will alert us to a fault immediately and it is our responsibility to resolve the problem through our long-term operations and maintenance contract. To minimise the risk of any such issues, we only specify and install high quality equipment supported by long term warranties and guarantees.
What is the cost of electricity produced by the Solar Power Purchase Agreement and does it increase?
Typically, we are able to achieve savings of 10-20% against a client’s grid electricity tariff. The starting tariff (in pence per kWh) is adjusted annually by reference to Retail Price Index (RPI).
Are there finance options available for a commercial solar PV system?
There are a number of funding options for installing commercial solar PV. We have partnered with some of the UK’s leading financial institutions and can offer up to 100% loans. Please contact us for more information.
Maintenance FAQs
Is it worth upgrading my inverter to SolarEdge?
Many homeowners have benefited from upgrading their PV system inverter. There are a number of different reasons to take that step, but an upgrade may not be for everyone. Contact us to speak with one of our experts for more in depth advice.
I have a system fault and my installer is no longer operating, can Solarsense help?
Yes, Solarsense offer a call out service for fault investigation and repairs. This service is available for both Solarsense customers and third party installations.
Do Solarsense offer solar PV monitoring?
Yes, we offer a range of monitoring solutions so that you can keep on track of your systems’ performance. Contact us for more information.
Do Solarsense offer O&M for commercial installs?
Solarsense offer operations, maintenance and monitoring on every commercial renewable energy system installed. Each technology will require a different level of maintenance, however, we will discuss this with you as part of the project schedule.
What length of warranty do SolarEdge offer?
SolarEdge includes a 25-year warranty for power optimisers and a standard 12-year warranty for inverters. The SolarEdge inverter warranty is extendable to 20 or 25 years, depending on the inverter model. The warranty extension is available with a one-time payment fee and must be purchased within 24-months.
Is SolarEdge monitoring free?
Yes, SolarEdge monitoring is free for 25-year. Simply download the app for free on iPhone or Android by visiting the AppStore or Google Play.