Home solar PV & battery storage

Savings potential is significant but varies based on your current household energy consumption and tariffs, system size, your home's location and roof orientation/shading. Most homeowners see substantial reductions in their electricity bills. We provide a detailed analysis and bespoke savings projection as part of our free home survey and consultation.

The optimal system size depends on factors like your average and peak household electricity usage (including things like EV charging or electric heating), daily consumption patterns, available roof space, and your budget. We conduct a thorough site survey and analysis of your energy bills to recommend a correctly sized system for maximum benefit to your home.

Most domestic rooftop solar PV installations in the UK fall under Permitted Development Rights, meaning formal planning permission isn't usually needed, provided certain criteria are met (e.g., panels should not protrude more than 200mm from the roof plane or wall surface, they should not be installed above the highest part of the roof (excluding the chimney), and equipment on a flat roof should not be more than 1m high). However, installations on listed buildings, in conservation areas, National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), or on a scheduled monument will almost certainly require full planning permission. We will assess the specific requirements for your property during our survey and can advise or assist with any necessary application process.

Payback periods for home systems in the UK can vary widely, often estimated between 7 and 12 years, though this can be shorter with high energy usage and optimised self-consumption. This is heavily influenced by the initial system cost, prevailing and future electricity prices, your household's energy usage profile (how much you use and when), and the rates received via the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Adding battery storage often improves the return on investment by significantly increasing your self-consumption of free solar power, especially if you are on a time-of-use tariff that allows you to avoid high peak rates. We provide detailed financial modelling tailored to your specific circumstances.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) legally requires electricity suppliers with over 150,000 customers to offer homeowners a tariff for any surplus electricity they generate from eligible solar PV systems (typically up to 50kW for most domestic schemes, though SEG covers up to 5MW) and export back to the National Grid. You need to apply to an SEG Licensed supplier (it doesn't have to be your import supplier, and it's wise to shop around as rates and contract terms vary significantly). To be eligible, your installation must be MCS certified (or equivalent).

Solar PV panels are very low maintenance, generally requiring only occasional cleaning (often done by rainfall) to ensure optimal performance and periodic checks of the system, which we can help with. Battery storage systems also require minimal maintenance, typically involving occasional software updates and visual inspections. We offer optional monitoring and maintenance packages for continued peace of mind.

Almost any UK home with suitable, relatively unshaded roof space can benefit. It’s particularly advantageous for households with significant electricity consumption (e.g., families, those with electric heating or hot tubs), electric vehicle owners who can charge their car for free, or anyone looking to reduce their carbon footprint, save money on bills, and increase their energy independence. Homes where occupants are present during the day (e.g. home workers, retirees) can also maximise the use of free solar energy as it's generated.