1: What are the benefits of solar?

Reduced electricity bills:
Lower carbon emissions:
No running costs:
Low maintenance, 25 years + life expectancy
Charge an electric car for free: reduce your fuelling costs if you have an electric vehicle.
Less dependence on the grid
Off grid battery backup for power cuts
Generating fewer air pollutants than fossil fuels like sulphur dioxide and particulate matter, which can cause health problems

2: What are the disadvantages of solar PV?

Doesn’t work very well in winter or rainy grey weather
Doesn’t work at night
Use Rare Earth elements in manufacturing
Not yet 100% recyclable

3: How much energy can we expect to produce in Cumbria?

Estimated annual production per KWp of solar in Cumbria on a roof at 30 deg. with no shading.
South: 850KWh, East: 722KWh, West: 722KWh, North; 519KW

4: How much CO2 does a Solar Panel save?

A 1kw solar system will produce around 850 kwh a year which will save around 1.6 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

5: How long does it take to pay off the carbon in a panel?

Approx. 2 years to pay off the embedded energy in the Solar Panels

6: What savings should we expect?

The value of solar comes from the savings that you make from not using your grid electricity… so for every unit (Kwh) generated and used you can save 30p + on your electricity usage, you can realistically expect to use between 50% – 100% of your electricity generation depending on your property’s electricity usage.

7: What is the payback period of solar PV?

It depends how much electricity you use, and the size of your PV system and the price of electricity. Domestic properties usually pay for their systems in 5 -8 years, commercial systems can be as low as 3 years.

8: Do I need a south-facing roof for Solar Panels?

Solar Panels work well on any roof facing South, East or West. Although your Solar Panels will perform better and produce more electricity if they are South facing, they will still perform at 86% (compared to South facing) either facing due East or West.

9: Is shading an issue?

Yes, shading is an issue with solar as solar panels when wired in series will only work as well as the weakest panel, negative effects of shading can be reduced by the addition of optimisers.

10: How much roof space do I need for Solar Panels?

Solar Panels can be fitted to your roof or on your land. Generally, a 6-panel Solar PV system would be the smallest we would recommend.
Area 1.8m x 6 = 10.8m2

11: Can I have more than 4Kwp on a domestic single phase?

There is not technically a limit to the size of the system, the amount of power that you can export to the grid is decided by the DNO (District Network operator) Electricity Northwest, but they can limit the power you export to the grid and rarely allow more than 10Kwp even with grid export limitation.

12: How many panels is 4Kwp?

Panels are between 330Wp and 450Wp so between 9 and 12 panels depending on the output.

13: How big is a solar panel?

Panel vary in size but on average they are 1.75m x 1.05m

14: Can charge an electric car for free using solar energy?

If you have an electric car or are considering one, with a solar PV system depending on its size, the time of day and the time of year, you will be able to charge it or at least part charge it for free, reducing your fuel costs.

15: What’s the difference between Solar PV and thermal?

Solar PV panels are used to generate electricity, whereas Solar thermal – also known as a solar hot water system – is used to provide domestic hot water around the home.

16: Can I heat my hot water from Solar PV?

Yes, very easily, your surplus electricity generated can be redirected to your hot water tank and its immersion through a hot water divert switch such as an I boost or an Eddi.

17: Do I need constant sunshine for my Solar Panels to work?

No, solar panels work in all daylight conditions but work better the brighter the sunshine.

18: What guarantees will my Solar Panels come with?

Your Solar Panels will come with a manufacturer’s guarantee which is usually a 25-year output guarantee of 85% and a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty.

19: How long will my Solar Panel PV system last for?

Solar PV panels will last 25 years+ and come with a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty and a 25-year output guarantee The inverter comes with a standard 5-year warranty which can be increased to 10 years. workmanship warranty 5 years. Battery warranty 10 years

20: How long does it take to install Solar Panels?

Most domestic Solar Panel installations take no more than two DAYS with minimum disruption. Commercial systems are a lot faster to install more panels.

21: Do Solar Panels need cleaning?

Solar panels are generally self-cleaning if positioned at an angle of over 15 degrees. However, it is advised to visually inspect them annually and wash if necessary. Most window-cleaning companies have a reach-and-wash system and should be able to clean your panels. For Commercial systems there are specialist companies to carry out the work.

22: Is there a danger my Solar Panels will blow off the roof?

It’s highly unlikely, when we install the Solar PV panels, we make sure they are securely attached to the fabric of the building using a roof hook and rail system or integrated into the roof. We have not lost a panel to winds for weeks…. Just kidding, ever!

23: Can I fit PV system in my garden or in a field?

Solar Panels can be installed very easily into a garden or field using several mounting solutions.

24: Will I need planning permission to fit PV in a field?

Yes, planning is usually required if it can be seen from anywhere.

25: Will I need planning permission to fit PV to a house?

No as standard solar PV is a permissive development but if your property is listed yes, you will.

26: Will I need planning for a commercial system?

Not usually.

27: Can I insure my PV system?

Solar PV comes under your household insurance.

28: Can fit an in-roof PV system to an existing roof?

Yes, we can easily strip your roof and fit in-roof solar.

29: Do In-roof PV panels produce less power?

In-roof solar produces slightly less power than an on top system due to heat build up in the summer months reducing the output slightly but only in low single figures percentages of reduced output.

30: What are the advantages of In-roof PV

Aesthetics, In-roof PV is a lot more attractive than on top solar
No need for slates or tiles under the array

31: How do Solar Panels connect to the electrical supply?

The electricity produced by your Solar Panels is converted from DC (direct current) by the inverter to AC (alternating current), which your home is run on. The electricity is then taken from the inverter via an AC cable to your distribution board, where it is used to power the circuits in your home in preference to using electricity from the grid.

32: If I have Solar Panels, can I come off grid?

Solar PV panels alone will not give you electricity 24 hours a day as they only produce electricity in daylight hours. You would need a battery system & a generator as well as Solar PV panels to be able to come off grid but if you have the grid, we recommend that you use it in conjunction with solar PV, you can have a battery fitted which will lessen your dependence on the grid depending on your lifestyle and electricity use.

33: Will my Solar Panels work when there is a power cut?

If there is a power cut your inverter will switch off, which stops any generation from your Solar Panels entering the property. unless you have a battery with emergency circuit back up.

34: Batteries

Batteries are becoming ever more popular for storing surplus power generated through the day from your solar PV system and to use at night or in periods of high demand instead of pulling it from the grid.
They can also be used to charge up using off peak electricity.

35: How big is a battery storage?

Batteries come in all shapes and sizes.

Love Solar however only fit a small range of the high-quality batteries. We will not usually fit a battery smaller than 8Kwp as we feel anything smaller will only lead to disappointment. Batteries can be linked together to increase storage capacity later.

36: What are the dimensions of a battery?

Batteries are approx. 600mm high x 400mm wide x 250 mm deep.

37: Where are batteries usually located?

Batteries are usually located on the ground floor of your property or in a garage/outbuilding.

38: Can batteries be fitted on an existing PV system?

Yes, batteries can be fitted on to existing PV systems.

39: Will fitting batteries to an existing system affect my FIT?

No, it will not affect the existing Feed in Tariff so long as you have an AC coupled battery which is fitted after your generation meter.

40: What is the difference between Hybrid and AC coupled?

AC coupled batteries and inverter work in conjunction with a standard string inverter. Hybrid inverters and batteries relace the string inverter.

41: Can Batteries be fitted outside?

Batteries can be fitted outside but their production may be slightly reduced in hot weather.

42: Can I run my house from my electric car?

Not yet… but it is coming soon…

43: What is solar Edge?

Solar Edge and optimisers minimise the effects of shade, where roofs suffer from shade then solar edge works well. Solar Edge optimisers are prone to failures and as the Optimisers are fitted below the panels it is worth while baring this in mind as they can be expensive to replace.

44: Are there any installation grants?

There are currently no government grant scheme but there may be grants for community groups or charities, though these change all the time, and we are unable to recommend any. If you are earning less than £30K a year you may qualify for a grant, it is changing all the time so please keep looking. There are often localised grants for example if you are in the national park or a small business.

45: How much does a Battery cost?

An 8Kwp battery and inverter and fitting will cost between £5500- £6000

46: Is there a Feed In Tariff?

The Feed in Tariff stopped in April 2019.

47: Is there an Export Tariff?

There is an Export Tariff that you are paid for electricity that you do not use and export back to the grid; the current price per unit exported is 5p per unit approx. you are however better to use it than export it.

48: What is the Export Tariff?

You are be paid for electricity that is not used in the property, the rate you get paid depends on what electricity company you are with. Prices do vary but currently it is around 5p per unit. We would always recommend that you change your electricity supplier to for example Green Energy provider, Good Energy, Octopus Energy, Ecotricity.

49: Do I need an export meter?

If you want to receive the FIT you will need an export meter to be fitted by your electricity company.

50: Do I need an MCS certificate?

To claim your export tariff, you will need an MCS certificate.

Solar Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions