Solar Panel Grants

You’ll have seen solar panels in many locations, but most notably on the roof space of some of your neighbours. Solar panels capture the energy from daylight and convert it to electricity that can be used to power your home. By installing solar panels you will be generating your own renewable energy and contributing to the drive to cut carbon emissions. 

With a focus in the UK on moving away from fossil fuel power and transitioning to more energy efficient systems, low-carbon and renewable alternatives are becoming commonplace. Solar panels meet this goal perfectly are a great investment for a property if you have adequate space on your roof. The energy produced comes from a renewable source and can be used to heat and power your home, with the excess able to be stored in batteries, or sold back to the grid under SEG arrangements.

Solar PV panels consist of multiple cells made from semi conducting materials, which when light shines upon them, electricity is created.
The electricity created is direct current (DC) so this is converted by an inverter to alternating current (AC) so it can be used in the homes. The electricity created can be used, stored in a battery, or exported to the grid. Solar panels can still generate on gloomy days and don’t need direct sunlight to work as they require light not direct sunlight in order to work. The brighter the light is, the higher the electricity output.

Unfortunately, not all homes are ideal for a solar panel system. To get the most out of solar panels they need to be predominantly south-facing and the roof should be unshaded during the peak period for daylight (roughly 10 am- 4 pm). That said, it is still possible to have east/west facing systems and generate a good 80%+ compared to a south-facing roof. Regardless of the orientation, your roof does need to be in good condition and the space needs to be quite sizeable to accommodate the solar panels, which on average are likely to be around two square metres each. Diagonal roofs are more effective at catching rays than panels on a flat roof.

The majority of heating systems in the home rely on burning fossil fuel or converting electricity into heat. Solar panels are a great option because they generate electricity for the home using daylight as the source, so are a low-carbon, renewable energy. Not only can the energy produced heat power your home, the excess can be stored in batteries for use later, or can even be sold back to the grid.

Yes, under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) solar producers could receive payments for the excess electricity they generate and export to the Grid. The level of payment depends on the type of renewable energy system you have, how much electricity you generate and your energy supplier.

It should be noted that SEG tariffs can differ widely between energy suppliers and the amount received for each kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity generated from solar panels, but not used. It is therefore recommended that you shop around for the best imported electric rates.

Annual income generated through SEG payment will depend on how much time the household is at home during the day, and therefore consuming or not consuming the electricity generated through solar panels.

Planning permission is not usually required for solar panels. The exceptions are if your property has a flat roof or is a listed building or in a conservation area. In these circumstances, approval might be required from your local authority building control team.

The scheme aims to help low income households improve their home energy efficiency and any grants are non-repayable. Those eligible for a grant will either get a grant towards the installation of a solar PV system in their home. In some cases a contribution may be required towards the cost of the installation, but this will be made clear from the outset, following a free assessment at your home.

For residential properties, the installation of solar panels should take 1 day, though slightly larger properties with larger panels might take up to 2 days. Commercial installations can take longer, depending on the site and specific requirements.

It is worth noting that it doesn’t have to be sunny to generate electricity and that electricity will still be produced on dull days, admittedly at a lower rate. When you are not producing enough electricity to meet your demand, your home just draws electricity from the grid in the normal way, as you did prior to solar being installed.

Solar panels should be expected to last between 20-25 years, but some manufacturers suggest in some instances this could be as much as 40 years. Over time efficiency can fall (reducing by about 15% over their lifetime) and inverters may need to be replaced, but in the main, the life and performance of solar panels is a lengthy one.

Funding for solar installations can also cover the cost of solar batteries so it is possible to get funding for a combined solar panel and battery bundle.

The potential of up to a £15,000 grant could mean your solar installation is completely free, depending on your requirements. The average domestic solar panel system (3.5kW) costs in the region of £5,500. A 3.5kW system will be sufficient for the majority of households, but if you require a larger output, this will increase the cost, as will the addition of a solar battery. A 4kW solar system would typically cost around £6,000-£8,000; a 5kW system £8,000- £9,000; and a 6kW system around £9,000 -£11,000.