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Do Smart Meters and Solar Panels Work Together?

Posted on November 12, 2026 by

Smart meters and solar panels can work together, but installing a smart meter does not automatically set up export payments. This guide explains what the meter measures, how SMETS1 and SMETS2 differ, what the Smart Export Guarantee requires, and how to resolve reporting problems. It focuses on South East homeowners within the Great Britain smart-meter […]

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Does Home Insurance Cover Solar Panels?

Posted on November 4, 2026 by

If you’ve installed solar panels, or plan to, your building insurance may already cover them as part of the property. However, policy definitions, exclusions and notification requirements vary. Check with your insurer before work begins, confirm how the panels and any battery will be insured, and keep written confirmation. Are Solar Panels Covered by Standard […]

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Adding a Battery to Your Existing Solar Panels

Posted on October 29, 2026 by

If you installed solar panels in recent years without a battery, you’re far from alone, and you’ve probably noticed electricity prices climbing while Smart Export Guarantee rates for the electricity you export have been falling. It’s a natural moment to wonder whether you can add a battery now rather than starting from scratch. The good […]

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Heat Pumps and Solar Panels: The Perfect Pair?

Posted on October 21, 2026 by

Solar PV and heat pumps can complement each other, but their seasonal patterns don’t align: solar generation peaks in summer, while space-heating demand peaks in winter. This guide explains how they interact, why savings vary by property and tariff, and what to consider when sizing PV, storage and heating equipment. How Heat Pumps and Solar […]

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Buying a House with Solar Panels: What to Check

Posted on October 16, 2026 by

Solar panels are a familiar sight on rooftops across the South East and can be a useful asset for buyers. Before purchasing, check who owns the equipment, what income rights transfer, and whether the system is safe and working. This checklist focuses on England and Wales, covering ownership documentation, FiT and export arrangements, roof-space leases, […]

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“Free Solar” Rent-a-Roof Schemes: What Happened?

Posted on October 13, 2026 by

Rent-a-roof arrangements offered some homeowners solar panels without an upfront installation bill in return for granting a solar company long-term rights over the roof. The model expanded during the early Feed-in Tariff (FIT) years and became less attractive as new-installation tariffs fell. Existing leases can still affect sales and remortgages, so this guide explains how […]

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How to Calculate Your Solar Panel Payback Period

Posted on October 7, 2026 by

For many well-specified UK systems, payback may fall somewhere between 8 and 15 years, although particularly favourable installations can recover their cost sooner. With panels commonly operating for 25 years or more, a suitable system can continue reducing electricity costs for many years after reaching break-even. Below, we walk through the exact formula, the factors […]

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Solar Panels in Conservation Areas: Guidelines

Posted on September 28, 2026 by

If you live in a conservation area, it is natural to assume solar panels are off the table, buried under layers of planning red tape, or simply not worth the hassle. The good news is that this worry is usually unfounded. The great majority of homes in conservation areas can install solar panels under permitted […]

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DIY Solar Panels vs Professional Installation

Posted on September 16, 2026 by

For many UK homeowners, the appeal of DIY solar panels comes down to one simple number: the cost of installation labour. With online tutorials, plug-in kits, and forums full of confident self-installers, cutting out professional fees from an already significant investment can feel like an obvious way to save. On paper, DIY solar looks cheaper. […]

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Solar Battery Storage: Is It Worth It for UK Homes?

Posted on September 9, 2026 by

If you already have solar panels, or you’re considering them, there’s a good chance you’ve asked yourself one question: is a solar battery actually worth the extra cost? It’s one of the most common questions we hear from homeowners across the South East, and the honest answer is that it depends on your circumstances. This […]

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