Solar Panels

Installing solar panels on the roof of your home is definitely worth it providing you choose the most suitable type and array of solar panels and an experienced solar panel installer. Read our guide before arranging your solar installation.

Producing electricity from your own solar panels can be both satisfying and financially rewarding. Buying an unsuitable solar PV system will be wasteful and no benefit to your home - or pocket!

Before you arrange quotations from solar installers take a few moments to understand what's right for your budget and roof layout. There is no great mystery to solar panels and with having a little understanding of solar panel systems you'll be better placed to avoid some of the pitfalls.

Types of Solar Panels Available

Photovoltaic panels (PV) are the most common solar panel system used in homes today. Energy from the sun is collected by the photovoltaic panels and then through an inverter to generate electricity for your home.

Monocrystalline or Polycrystalline

Monocrystalline Solar Panels

• Most efficient solar panels with a high power output
• Being more efficient these solar panels will need less space
• Expected to last around 50 years

Polycrystalline Solar Panels

• Made from layers of silicon crystals rather than the purer silicon used in Monocrystalline
• Therefore typically a cheaper option and should last around 50 years
• Doesn't perform well in extreme heat, bear in mind our warmer summers

How many solar panels and which roof

Now that you understand the types of solar pv Panels a quick understanding of how many and the importance of positioning the solar panels correctly will put you in good stead before approaching a professional solar panel installer.

An array of solar panels are typically 4kWp* or 2.5kWp depending on your property size, i.e. size of roof of your detached, semi or terraced home. A 4kWp solar system will take up about 20 sq metres, say 3m x 7m or 4m x 5m.

*kWp = Kilowatt peak, which is the measurement for output from your solar panel system. 4kWp solar syatem at it's peak will produce 4kW.

Placing solar panels on a south facing roof is ideal but east or west facing is OK but your solar panel system will produce about 15% less energy than a south facing one. North facing will still produce energy but it is significantly reduced, perhaps around 32% less.

The roof shouldn't be too shady as this will impact on the amount of energy produced by your solar panels. About 20% or less of shading is deemed OK.

Your roof slope is also a factor in determining how much energy is produced from your solar pv system. Ideally a 30 to 40 degree slope, most homes are at 30 degrees.

Where you live in the UK is also a factor as generally the South of the UK gets more solar energy than in the north. Who knows, will climate changing the North may get more sunshine.

Choosing a solar pv system installer

One final thing to do before you start inviting quotes from solar installers - visit energysavingtrust.org.uk and in particular their pvcalculator. I used it on our home and the results are below. It gave me an informed view and I feel ready to face a 'salesman'.