FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Plain-English answers about solar panels, batteries, costs and installation — from a team that doesn’t do scripted pitches.

Solar panels

Generation, suitability, and what to expect on the roof.

Yes — many UK homeowners can meaningfully reduce electricity bills with solar panels. Savings depend on roof size and orientation, daily usage patterns, your import and export tariffs, and whether you add a battery. Use our savings estimator for an indicative figure tailored to your address.

Yes — panels produce in any daylight, although output is lower in midwinter than summer. You'll generate less per day in December and January, but a well-sized system still meaningfully reduces your annual electricity costs. Our estimator uses your latitude and roof orientation to give a realistic year-round figure.

Most modern solar panels carry a 25–30 year performance warranty. Quality manufacturers guarantee that panels still deliver around 80–90% of their original output at year 25. In practice well-installed panels often keep generating for longer; degradation is gradual.

Most domestic rooftop installs in England and Wales fall under permitted development — no application needed. Exceptions include listed buildings, conservation areas, and certain roof-mounted equipment limits. We'll check your situation as part of the process and tell you clearly if an application is needed.

Battery storage

When a battery makes sense, what it does, and how long it lasts.

A battery often pays for itself when paired with solar or a smart time-of-use tariff. It can also help homes without solar that are on cheap off-peak tariffs. The payback is highly sensitive to your tariff, usage pattern, and battery size — we model your specific case in the estimator.

Yes — most modern solar systems can be retrofitted with a battery. AC-coupled batteries are particularly easy to add to an existing solar system. We look at your inverter, export patterns, and goals, then recommend a size and approach that fits your existing setup.

Yes — a battery on a smart tariff can charge from cheap off-peak electricity and discharge when prices are higher. This is sometimes called "grid charging" or "time-of-use arbitrage". Whether it pays off depends on the price difference between off-peak and peak rates and how much you use at peak times.

Most home batteries carry a 10–15 year warranty. Warranties typically guarantee a number of full cycles or a percentage of capacity retained. Real-world life depends on how often the battery is fully cycled and the ambient temperature where it's installed.

Costs & savings

Typical prices, what affects payback, and how grants and export payments work.

A typical UK domestic solar system costs around £6,000–£10,000 installed. Final price depends on system size, roof complexity, panel and inverter brand, and whether you add a battery. See our solar panel cost guide for a fuller breakdown.

System cost, your electricity usage, your import and export tariffs, and how much daylight your roof gets all affect payback. Most UK domestic systems pay back in 5–10 years, with 5–7 years being typical for well-sized systems. Adding a battery can shorten or lengthen payback depending on your usage profile.

Yes — new domestic solar installs export to the grid under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). You get paid for excess electricity your panels produce, subject to your supplier and meter setup. SEG rates vary between suppliers, so it's worth comparing.

There aren't national grants for solar in the UK right now, but VAT is currently 0% on most domestic installs. Some local schemes or eco-loan products exist regionally and change over time. We'll flag anything that applies to your address when we discuss your project.

Installation

What happens between enquiry and switch-on.

Most domestic solar installs take 1–2 days on site. Battery-only installs often finish in a working day. Larger systems, retrofits, or complex backup configurations can take longer; your quote should include a realistic schedule.

Yes — safe access for rooftop work usually means scaffolding or an equivalent working platform. Scaffolding is included in most quotes. Single-storey or bungalow installs sometimes use other access methods. Your survey confirms what's needed for your roof.

We come back with sensible next steps quickly — usually a savings estimate or a brief call to confirm what you're exploring. If you want quotes, we connect you with vetted installers who survey your property and send written quotes. You compare them in your portal and choose if and when to proceed.

Ready to see what solar and battery storage could save you?

Answer a few simple questions about your home and we’ll help estimate your potential savings.

No pressure · UK-based · Solar & battery savings estimates

Get my free estimate