When purchasing solar panels for your home, there are several considerations to ensure you choose the right product for your needs.
Determine your energy needs
To determine your energy needs for a solar panel system, you'll need to evaluate your home's electricity usage and other factors to properly size the system. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you determine your energy needs:
Step one: Get your electricity bills for the past 12 months. These bills must show your monthly energy consumption in kilowatt hours (kWh). Divide your average monthly bill by 30 to calculate your daily usage.
Step 2: Determine how much electricity you want your panels to produce. In general, the more power the system generates, the higher the initial price. However, the more power you generate from your solar system, the lower your bills will be.
Step 3: Determine the hours of average sunlight for your area. This number varies across the UK, with southern England receiving the most sunshine and northern Scotland seeing few hours of sunshine. However, solar panels still generate electricity when the weather is cloudy. In general, the UK sees more than eight hours of daylight and moderate temperatures, making it an ideal climate for solar panels.
Step 4: Divide the daily energy consumption (kWh) by the average hours of sunlight per day to get the approximate system size in kilowatts (kW). This calculation assumes 100% efficiency, but solar panel systems are not completely efficient.
Step 5: Divide your estimated system size by the efficiency of the solar panels you plan to use to find the efficiency. It usually ranges from 15 to 27 percent, although it can sometimes be as high as 40 percent.
Step 6: Finally, decide how many panels you need to cover your daily electricity needs. Divide the energy you use per day by the kilowatts your system can generate to give you the number of panels you need.
The average UK home would need a 4kW system, which equates to 16 panels, but the above calculation will provide a more accurate estimate for your specific circumstances.
Research the types of solar panels
Solar panel technology has improved dramatically over the years and there are a variety of solar panels available on the market today. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages.
- Monocrystalline solar panels.
- Consisting of a monocrystalline silicone body
- High efficiency rates (15-27%)
- More expensive than other types
- Long life
- Excellent performance in low light conditions
- Polycrystalline solar panels.
- It consists of several crystal structures of silicon
- Lower efficiency rates than monocrystalline panels (15-19 percent)
- Less expensive than monocrystalline panels
- short life
- Slightly lower performance in low light conditions
- Double sided solar panels
- It can absorb sunlight from both sides of the panel
- They usually consist of monocrystalline or polycrystalline cells
- Increase efficiency and energy production
- Requires specific mounting conditions (such as reflective surface, overhead installation)
- Construction of integrated photovoltaic cells
- Integrated with building materials such as windows, facades or tiles
- It offers aesthetic appeal and multiple functions
- Usually less efficient than conventional solar panels
- It may be more expensive due to custom design and integration.
Evaluate the placement of the roof and baseboard
Check your roof for damage or corrosion. Solar panels have a life span of 25-30 years, so your roof should be in good shape and won't need to be replaced any time soon. The roofing material must be strong enough to support the weight of the solar panels.
The best orientation for panels in the UK is the south, which receives the most sunlight during the day. East and West decks also work, but may be less effective.
The slope of the roof can make a difference in energy production. Most residential roofs have a slope of between 15 and 45 degrees, which is suitable for installing solar panels. However, if the angle of the roof is different, frames can be installed to create the optimum slope.
Shade reduces the efficiency and power of solar panels. Check your roof for sources of shade such as trees, chimneys or nearby buildings. It's important to consider the shade patterns throughout the year, as the position of the sun changes seasonally.
Make sure you have enough roof space to accommodate the required size of the solar system. The solar panels in an average home are about 1.4 square meters, so if you need 12 panels, for example, you'll need 22 square meters of roof space.
Search for solar panel warranty
Solar panel warranties play an important role in protecting your investment. Warranties can give you peace of mind and make sure you get the performance you expect from your panels throughout their life. Two types of warranties are commonly associated with panels:
- Performance Guarantee (or Power Output Guarantee): This type of guarantee guarantees that the panels will produce a certain percentage of their rated power over a certain period of time. Most manufacturers offer a 25-year performance warranty, which typically includes:
- The panels are guaranteed to produce at least 90 percent of their rated energy output within the first ten years
- The panels are guaranteed to produce at least 80 percent of their rated energy output during the remaining 15 years.
- Product warranty (or material and workmanship warranty): This type of warranty covers material or quality defects that cause the solar panels to fail or malfunction. Product warranties typically range from 10 to 25 years, depending on the manufacturer, with some major manufacturers offering more comprehensive warranties.
When reviewing solar panel warranties, please read the documentation carefully to understand the terms and conditions, including any exclusions or limitations, and the warranty claim process. You should also make sure that the collateral is transferable to a new owner if you sell your property. This can add value to your home and make it more attractive to buyers.
Choose to install solar panels
Choosing the right solar panel installation company is crucial to the success of your solar energy system and there are many points to consider.
In the UK, solar energy suppliers and installers must be certified through the Microgeneration Certification Scheme ( MCS ). MCS is a National Quality Assurance System recognized and supported by the UK Government. MCS certified professionals must meet rigorous standards to install renewable energy technology and achieving this certification is essential to qualifying for the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme , which means you will be paid for any additional electricity your system can handle. the network
A less common certification is the Renewable Energy Consumption Code (RECC). This voluntary consumer law ensures high standards of consumer protection for those investing in renewable energy systems, including solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. RECC membership demonstrates that the sender is committed to providing quality service and following consumer protection best practices.
Find an installer with proven experience in the solar industry. They should have experience installing home solar panel systems similar to what you need and should be able to handle any potential challenges.
A good installer will take the time to understand your energy needs and budget. They must design a custom solar panel system and provide a detailed proposal detailing cost, installation time, expected performance, and payback period. There must be after-sales support, including system monitoring and maintenance and repair services.
Find many quotes
Solar panel installation costs can vary greatly from vendor to vendor. By having multiple quotes, you can compare prices and secure the best deal. It also allows you to evaluate the product options available and choose the device that best suits your needs.
