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About Us

Our Story

Solar and other forms of green energy are the future of energy production in the U.K. We wanted to create a customer experience that did justice to the benefits of Solar and its accompanying parts.

Our unique background means we have been able to redefine the customer experience completely. From our interactive calculator to the rigorous post-installation checklist - our customers know that not only are they getting the right system for them, but the workmanship is of the highest standard.

Our goal is to provide the correct information to our customers so they can make an informed decision on the project. We are committed to providing the best value for money in the industry.

We are MCS certified - the go-to quality assurance scheme for renewables in the U.K.

Our Guarantee

Insurance backed

Insurance backed

Our membership with HIES means your money is covered by a bona fide insurance-backed guarantee from point of sale to two years post-installation.

Only the best parts

Only the best parts

We only use tried and tested suppliers, so you know your investment is protected for years to come.

Experienced tradespeople

Experienced tradespeople

Our commitment to you is that we will only use the right people for the job. So you have peace of mind knowing that our tradespeople are some of the best.

Contact Us

Or you can give us a call on 0203 193 8888.

FAQs

If you can't find your answer here, please contact us.

Solar PV
Batteries
EV Charging
Immersion Switch
What is Solar PV?

Solar photovoltaics (PV) are materials that convert light directly into electricity. Typically it is made out of silicon - a semiconducting material; it isn't mechanical and therefore has no moving parts.  

What type of electricity is produced?

The solar panels are typically connected in series and produce Direct Current (DC). This type of electricity is not useful in the home; this is why an inverter is used to turn the DC into useable Alternating Current (AC).

How is the output of the panels measured?

Each panel has its own Wh rating. This is the amount of energy that a single panel can produce in ideal conditions in a single hour. The system is rated by adding up the Wh rating of each panel. For example, 10 panels, each with a 400 Wh rating, give a system rating of 4 kWh.

How much energy does Solar produce?

In the U.K., production will vary between 700 kWh per year to over 1000 kWh per year for every kWh installed (depending on orientation and pitch). Properties further north will produce closer to 700 kWh, whilst those further south can produce more than 1000 kWh per year for every kWh installed.

What orientation and angle are best for Solar Panels?

We use established research for our data. Please see a handy link to which.co.uk here; you can see a table showing how different panel orientations affect production. Ideal conditions are directly due South with an inclination of 30-40 degrees.

How does shade affect Solar PV?

Shading will reduce the performance of your Solar PV. If one-panel experiences shading, it can reduce the efficiency of the whole string. Luckily there are other accessories, such as optimisers and micro-inverters which can negate isolated shading affecting the other panels on the string.

Will the Solar PV produce enough energy to run a home?

The answer to this is it is difficult to say. It is possible if everything perfectly coincides; however, unless you have storage options, it is unlikely. We will discuss all this with you to ensure you know exactly what your investment will generate long-term.

Is Solar PV Safe?

Absolutely, assuming the work is completed by competent tradespeople. When installing renewables in your home, look for companies with MCS accreditation - it's a sign that you will get great workmanship.

Is bird nesting a problem?

Bird nesting (especially in coastal areas) can become an issue if not addressed. We prefer to prevent rather than fix this issue, and because of this, install bird guard at installation as standard.

Is maintenance required?

The short answer is no; panels are produced with a coating which allows them to self-clean with rainwater. Meaning for the full 25-year manufacturer guarantee you won't need to do anything to maintain your investment.

Why are batteries important?

Without batteries, the energy produced by Solar is either used in the home or sent back to the grid. Given the difference between the price you sell energy for and the price you pay, you want to store the energy produced for later in the day. As energy is only produced during daylight hours, and your home has a residual demand for 24 hours, it makes the most sense to store the energy rather than let the excess produced be exported back to the grid.

How many batteries will you need?

It is difficult to say - it all depends on your current usage. We pride ourselves on delivering the best value system and will work with you to design a proposal which combines Solar PV, Battery Storage and your tariff to produce the best returns for you.

How much do batteries cost?

Battery storage typically costs between £500-£600 per kWh, depending on the brand and mounting style. 

Can a battery power my home in a power cut?

Newer batteries are UPS rated (uninterrupted power supply), so should you now longer have access to power from the grid - the battery can power your home assuming it has charge.

Can batteries be installed without Solar?

Batteries can be combined with an off-peak tariff to give you savings on your energy. They do work best when combined with Solar PV as well but they can be installed by themselves if Solar PV isn't a viable option.

Can batteries be stored outside?

Some newer products are IP65-rated, meaning they can be stored outside. However, we would always advise storing inside where possible.

What does a PV Switch (iBoost) do?

Solar iBoost+ is designed for use with up to 2 immersion heaters; each rated up to 3kW for water heating in the home; each immersion is used in turn by the Solar iBoost+ when your Solar panels generate excess energy. 

When does an iBoost start heating my water?

As your PV array starts to generate in excess of your household power requirement, the Solar iBoost+ will begin to “dump” energy into your hot water tank. For example, if you have 2.2kW of export energy, then the Solar iBoost+ will divert this to the hot water tank.

How does the Solar iBoost+ know when my water tank is fully heated?

Immersion elements must contain a thermostat; your electrician will check this. When the set temperature is reached, the thermostat operates to switch the element off. 

How quickly can a home EV charge your car?
It depends on the battery size of your car and the power of your home charger. Typically plug-in hybrids (e.g. Golf GTE, Prius) charge at a rate of 3.7kW, fully charging within 3 hours. Fully electric cars (e.g. Tesla) can charge at 7.4kW on a single-phase supply but have a much bigger battery, a 75kWh Tesla Model Y would take 10 hours to charge fully. Some homes have a three-phase supply which can charge at 22 kW.
Can I use the energy produced by my Solar to charge my EV?

Yes, there are a couple of ways to do this. One is to use a Zappi charger which diverts excess generation into an electric vehicle. In this way, what would have been exported back to the grid is now charging your car. However, you would need to have your EV parked at home during the day.

The alternative is to use a battery system to store this energy and then discharge this into your EV in the evening/nighttime. The battery would also cover your household loads once the sun has gone down.

Many customers utilise an off-peak tariff to save even more money. Some energy providers have generous rates for energy consumed during nighttime hours. Using an intelligent charger, you can set when you want your car to charge so that the battery is only filled when the energy is the cheapest.

Can an EV charger charge more than one car?

Yes a home charger can be used to charge more than once vehicle. However, it is worth noting that only one car can be charged at any one time.

How much can a home charger save me?

If combined with the right off-peak tariff at home, charging can cost as little as 15% vs charging using public chargers.

Insurance Scope

We are insured by Covea Insurance PLC with public liability up to £5,000,000 and professional indemnity up to £50,000.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Our ADR proider is HIES and can be contact via info@hiesscheme.org.uk or on 0344 324 5242.

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