Solar Panel Installation Southampton Hampshire (SO14): The installation of solar panels is front and centre of many homeowner's thoughts just now, what with fears for the environment and ever rising energy costs, it's hardly surprising - but what are the advantages and disadvantages of installing solar panels on your property in Southampton? It definitely appears to be a good time to jump on the solar panel train, with Government funded deals and grants enabling you to reduce the outlay, and on top of that the SEG (Smart Export Guarantee) scheme which gives you the opportunity to get paid for any surplus energy you produce via your system.
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
The term Solar Photovoltaics (PV) relates to the conversion of solar energy into useable electricity. Solar PV's efficiency in electricity generation is enhanced by the ample sunlight that the Southampton area experiences. By embracing Solar PV, Southampton residents have the potential to significantly lower their electricity bills and even receive a modest return on investment through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Selling surplus electricity back to the energy company via this scheme offers businesses and homeowners the chance to support a sustainable energy future while enjoying financial gains.
To help homeowners in Southampton reduce their carbon footprint and save energy, they can access the Green Homes Grant to offset any initial outlay on a solar PV installation. By way of this scheme, which the Government announced in 2020, if you are considering energy saving improvements to your property, you can submit an application for anything up to £10,000 in grants. You have the ideal opportunity at this point, by using the Green Home Grant and Smart Export Guarantee scheme, to install a solar PV installation on your Southampton home, for a fraction of the overall cost, and also get a small quarterly revenue from it.
SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMS
There's always a constant need for hot water in every business and house in Southampton. In wintertime, even during the reduced sunlight hours and weaker strength of sun, it will successfully heat up your water and lower the quantity of energy needed to bring it up to the right temperature for use. During the summer months, a professionally fitted solar thermal system will quite possibly meet all of your hot water demands.
Any property owner in Southampton using a photovoltaic thermal installation to heat up their water is eligible to sign up for the RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive) scheme which makes the process more appealing. The RHI, which was previously only open to the business sector, was widened for residential use on the 9th April 2014, to motivate homeowners to switch to renewable sources. The scheme, which provides a 7 year support package, is backed by a government guarantee for property owners switching to renewable technologies. A quarterly cash payment will be received by qualified subscribers for the duration of the RHI scheme.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR SOLAR
You should look into the following details if you believe that you're now prepared to install a solar power system on the roof of your property in Southampton:
- Does your roof face in a southerly or south-westerly direction? - This helps maximise the performance of the solar PV by absorbing the greatest amount of sunlight possible.
- Will you need to get planning permission? - In the majority of scenarios you will not need planning permission on your Southampton home for solar panels on your roof. However if you have a flat roof, own a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will have to consult with the local authority of any limitations in place.
- Does your roof have any overgrown trees or tall buildings close by that shade it? - Shade will affect the functionality of solar panels and severe shading can even make them virtually useless.
- Will solar panels affect my property's value? - The basic, but not particularly helpful judgement from the Homeowners Association is that solar panel installations can have both a positive and negative effect on the value of your home. As awareness grows concerning climatic changes and the environment, it has been noticed that the positive value impacts on property prices have grown.
SOLAR - THE BENEFITS
Additional Income - Through the Government backed Smart Export Guarantee scheme, you can sell any unused electricity that you produce back to your energy provider. You can get this payment as a quarterly cash deposit, or use it as payment towards your power bill. The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) applies only through your electricity provider, and is a short term scheme supported by a Government guarantee. These short contracts give consumers the ability to change electricity companies and get the best available tariffs whenever they need to.
Reduced Bills - The free energy generated by the sun will never run out in our lifetime. Therefore why not make good use of this energy in your home? You'll start to see a lowering of your energy charges before too long, and besides the original expenditure of installing your solar PV installation, there will be almost no upkeep costs to concern yourself with. The extent of your solar installation will have an impact on the type of savings you can achieve, but a standard solar energy system can save you ninety and three hundred and seventy pounds (dependant upon your circumstances) a year on your electricity bill.
Noise-Free - Solar PV installations don't make any noise at all. Homeowners can be irritated by the sounds that are emitted by other green energy sources - wind turbines for example. The fact that thermal and solar PV systems in Southampton have no moving components during normal operation, there's no noise generated by the equipment or panels.
Lowering Your Carbon Footprint - To help to lessen your carbon footprint, the installation of either a solar thermal system or solar PV on your property in Southampton will enable you to create green, renewable energy. The employment of such eco-friendly systems can remove nearly 2 tonnes from your annual carbon emissions.
Low-Maintenance - What makes solar panels in Southampton even more appealing is the very little maintenance required over their life span. The solar panels need only a once yearly clean and will probably last for a minimum of twenty five years. You might need to change the batteries if you've gone with a battery storage option, but these are becoming more efficient and longer lasting as the technology gets more advanced.
FINDING A QUALIFIED SOLAR PANEL INSTALLER
Try to obtain at least three estimates from different suppliers in Southampton and never hesitate to ask neighbours, family members or friends for advice if they've had a solar panel installation on their home. While you're obtaining price quotes from solar companies, check whether they know of any subsidies or grants from local organisations and councils, which could be used to help with your initial outlay.
The person who does the survey will also be able to offer a means by which to see previous solar panel installations on similar houses for you to evaluate; either through a catalogue or via a webpage. By providing an extensive portfolio for you to look through, a good solar system installer in Southampton will be happy to show off their list of past customers and their experience in the installation industry.
There are professional organisations, bodies and associations that are specific to the renewable energy industry. For every aspect of solar, and sustainable energy sourced generation systems, these organisations offer training, support and qualifications relating to all health & safety, equipment and working practices. A requirement before you hire any solar panel installer in Southampton, will be membership of one of these alternative energy trade bodies.
REA (Renewable Energy Association) - In Great Britain, the Renewable Energy Association (REA) is the primary trade body for engineers working within the clean technology and sustainable energy sector. It is committed to creating net-zero carbon emissions by providing education and training to over five hundred member companies, and applying its powers to influence government policy towards alternative energy sources.
MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) - Solar panel installations in Southampton must only be carried out by MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) certified contractors. Accreditation by the MCS for a particular company indicates that it's workforce is competent in the proper installation methods, and that its solar generation equipment is of top quality and fully approved.
The Solar Trade Association - Provides the most leading-edge technology solutions and training by working hand-in-hand with Government, industry and local councils, as well as leading players in the alternative and solar energy industry. From localised generation on residential properties, to large solar panel farms, the Solar Trade Association offers support and training on installations, equipment and is a highly regarded and established leader within the solar energy industry.
It is not just in Southampton itself where you can access solar panel installers - surrounding places like: North Stoneham, Butlocks Heath, Weston, Rownhams, Shirley, Ocean Village, Midanbury, Bitterne Village, Hightown, Eling, Swaythling, West End, Woolston, Freemantle, Bitterne Park, Hillyfields, Chartwell Green, Sholing, Nursling, Chapel, Millbrook can usually also be covered. Solar panel installers from the local area should have the postcode SO14 and the telephone code 02380. You'll want to confirm this if you're keen on using a locally based solar panel installer. Local homeowners have access to these solar services anytime they are in need of them.
Solar Panel Cleaning Southampton
I'd imagine that the very last thing you'll be concerned about when you are thinking about installing solar photovoltaic panels in Southampton, is precisely how you're going to clean them. When you recognise that having filthy panels can impact on their performance and prove costly, you will realise why keeping them clean is so crucial. Automated cleaning systems are available for solar panels, and if this is of interest, it is best to have them put in concurrently with your panels, although of course this is going to increase your initial bill.
While solar panels will be kept fairly clean by the normal action of the rain, you should not count on this exclusively. Although they may look reasonably clean from the ground, they'll have a thin covering of grease and grime that will unquestionably have an adverse impact on the efficiency of your panels. So a serious accumulation of grease does not arise, an annual cleaning schedule will need to be organised. Jet washers (such as Karcher) can be combined with many useful cleaning accessories, so it could even be possible for you to clean your own solar panels. Or you may prefer to make an arrangement with a local Southampton cleaning company, or perhaps even a window cleaner (many of them offer such services).
How Many Solar Panels Does it Take to Run a House?
Factors such as location, energy consumption, panel efficiency, and available space contribute to the variation in the number of solar panels required to power a house. In the United Kingdom, a typical residential solar panel system can generate roughly 3 to 5 kilowatts (kW) of power. With an average daily electricity consumption of 20 kilowatt-hours (kWh), satisfying those needs would require approximately 5 kW of solar panels. The precise number of panels will be contingent on factors such as efficiency, wattage, and other considerations. It is advisable to consult a reliable solar panel installer who can offer a more precise assessment, taking into account your specific requirements and conditions.
Ground Source Heating Systems Southampton
The constant earth temperature serves as a heat source for ground source heating systems, also known as geothermal heating systems, which warm buildings and homes located in Southampton. By eliminating the need to burn fossil fuels and reducing emissions of carbon, this renewable source of energy is both highly efficient and environmentally friendly.
Circulating a water and antifreeze mixture through pipes that are buried deep underground is how a geothermal heating system captures heat from the earth and transports it to a heat pump. Amplifying the heat and directing it around the building is the heat pump's job.
Geothermal heating systems have an initial cost that is higher than conventional heating systems, but they can save home and business owners money in the long term due to lower energy bills and maintenance expenses. In addition, these heating systems are highly durable and can last for decades, making them a wise investment for those seeking a long-term and sustainable heating solution.
In brief, geothermal or ground source heating systems offer an environmentally and sustainable solution for cooling and heating buildings and homes in Southampton, while also providing durability and long-term cost savings.
Is Solar Energy Worth It?
Most of us have heard about solar energy and are aware that it's good for the environment, but lots of people really don't know why. But, it's not simply sunshine and roses; before you invest, you must be aware that there a couple of minuses also.
The longer term savings promises are probably the greatest attraction for folks in Southampton setting up solar panels. A great benefit of having solar panels is that you can say bye to those cash-draining monthly power bills. But switching to solar is an expensive undertaking. You get to the stage of delighting in no cost power only the moment you've recuperated the big sum of cash you have to lay out upfront for the solar panels and installation, and this is achieved from the monthly savings, over a length of time (the payback period). Your monthly savings is apparently critical to how long before you actually enjoy no cost power; so if your monthly bill is huge, it will take less time than if you have a modest power bill. You could be lucky and get assistance with the initial cost from an unexpected source, because your government could offer an incentive for you to install solar panels.
In addition to it being a great fiscal investment, solar energy is as well environmentally friendly - a huge positive these days. It's unpolluted since there are no emissions or burning the least bit, unlike traditional fuels that contaminate the air with a multitude of gases that are both harmful to the environment and to our health. Global warming and acid rain are two major environmental concerns, and solar energy doesn't contribute to these at all. The sun is the best source of solar energy, and as long as it continues giving off energy, solar energy will be freely available to us.
The solar panels, which trap energy from the sun, are normally set up on rooftops, where they are unobtrusive and out of immediate sight, which is by and large not true of wind turbines. You should also be sure they're set up in a spot that gets a lot of sunlight, or else they're pretty wasted. The panels do not put out any noise or smell, which adds to their ability to combine subtly with their surrounding.
And if you don't like doing maintenance around the home, you can relax - solar energy systems can work in the background, without you moving a finger, literally for many years. Of the few hassles with solar, though, probably the worst is that they are not able to work in the night. No sunlight doesn't mean no energy though, because a back-up system such as a battery can be installed. This involves additional cash, but the solar energy can charge the batteries so you needn't pay for recharging them.
All in all solar energy is definitely worth looking into. It's clean and saves you money in the long term, even though there are initial expenses. If high energy prices are a concern for you, and you wish to reduce your carbon footprint, solar energy offers a fantastic solution.
Solar Inverters
The component in your solar panel system that transforms DC electricity into AC is known as a solar inverter. Your solar panel system's solar inverter converts the DC electricity produced by the panels into AC, allowing you to safely power your home and connect to the National Grid. It's as straightforward as this - without a solar inverter, you lack the capability to use your solar energy to power your home safely.
Your solar panel system can only operate efficiently if every component is of high quality, and this includes the inverter. The inverter helps to maximize the energy output from your solar panels. Four key varieties of solar inverters are offered for integration with your solar panels: string inverters, micro-inverters, hybrid inverters and power optimisers. The best way to figure out which solar inverter is right for your particular solar panel system is by speaking with a professional installer.
Family & Friends
When you have a project that requires hiring a contractor or service in Southampton, asking friends and family for recommendations is always a good idea. Personal references are generally the best way to identify someone who is perfect for your requirements, and can equally single out an inferior company or contractor with a lousy track record.
If you're aware that an acquaintance or member of your family has used a particular solar panel company, you can get an insight into their time keeping and reliability. They should also be able to tell you if anything went awry, and how rapidly any errors were put right. They will be in a position to tell you whether the contractor offered a guaranteed price promise for their work, and if not, how accurate the final price was when compared with the initial estimate.
Finally, the individuals who you know and trust are your friends and relations, so in regards to advice, go to them. If you find that they are reluctant to chat about a specific contractor or company it's likely because they've had a disappointing experience. You may face a situation where some people will be more than happy to recommend a decent contractor, less likely to mention a lousy one, and rather than 'bad mouth' a far from perfect business they have had dealings with previously, they might even suggest an alternative company instead.
Applications of Solar Power Panels
- Solar Distillation
- Standalone Photovoltaic Systems
- Solar Transportation
- Photovoltaic Power Stations
- Solar Hybrid Power Systems
- Solar-Pumped Lasers
- Rooftop Solar PV Systems
- Solar Powered Aeroplanes
- Solar Pool Heating
- Solar Water Heating
Southampton Solar Panel Tasks
Your local Southampton solar panel installer can deliver an extensive assortment of tasks, and in addition to what's previously been covered they will be able to do solar system safety checks, thermal solar panels, solar panel suitability surveys, solar thermal energy solutions, industrial solar panel installations, renewable heat installations, electric vehicle charging points, 200w solar panels Southampton, rooftop solar panels, the replacement of solar panels, solar panel relocation, 100w solar panels Southampton, smart home technology, solar PV upgrades, energy efficiency upgrades, cheap solar panels, 300 watt solar panels Southampton, alternative energy solutions, photovoltaic solar panels in Southampton, solar panel installation quotations, energy storage systems, solar photovoltaic energy systems, solar PV for businesses, shower heat recovery in Southampton, solar installation advice, green energy solutions, solar panels Southampton, the supply and installation of solar PV panels, solar panels for garages, solar panel repairs, wind turbines Southampton, home solar panels, electric heating, the maintenance of solar panels, solar panel bird proofing Southampton, to mention a few. This is simply a small selection of the services that could be on offer from your local solar panel installer.
Solar Panels Near Southampton
Also find: Woolston solar panel installers, Ocean Village solar panel installers, Chapel solar panel installers, Nursling solar panel installers, Butlocks Heath solar panel installers, Eling solar panel installers, Sholing solar panel installers, Bitterne Park solar panel installers, Midanbury solar panel installers, Shirley solar panel installers, Weston solar panel installers, Hillyfields solar panel installers, West End solar panel installers, Chartwell Green solar panel installers, North Stoneham solar panel installers, Millbrook solar panel installers, Freemantle solar panel installers, Swaythling solar panel installers, Rownhams solar panel installers, Hightown solar panel installers, Bitterne Village solar panel installers and more. All these places are covered by tradesmen installing solar panels.
Solar Panel Installer Services Southampton
- Solar Panel Installers
- Solar Panel Repairs
- Residential Solar Panels
- Solar Panel Cleaning
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Solar Panel Fitting
- 400w Solar Panels
- Solar Panel Maintenance
- Solar Panels
- Cheap Solar Panels
- Hot Water Systems
- Solar Panel Services
- Solar PV Inverters
- Solar Water Heating
More Southampton Services
Whilst hunting for a solar panel installer in Southampton, Hampshire, you may likely also need advice on solar panel cleaning in Southampton, gas boiler installation in Southampton, gutter cleaning in Southampton, heat pumps in Southampton, a scaffolder in Southampton, underfloor heating in Southampton, electricians in Southampton, SKIP HIRE in Southampton, solar panel maintenance in Southampton, plumbers in Southampton, solar panel repairs in Southampton, renewable energy in Southampton, green energy in Southampton, hot water tank installation in Southampton, solar panel upgrades in Southampton, solar thermal heating in Southampton, solar hot water in Southampton.
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Solar Panel Installation in SO14 area, (dialling code 02380).
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