Solar questions

Solar panel costs vary depending on the size of your system, the type of panels you choose, and your location. A typical residential solar panel system in the UK can cost between £4,000 and £8,000 for a 3-4kW system. Larger systems (5-6kW) typically range from £6,000 to £10,000. The exact price depends on factors like roof size, panel quality, inverter type, and whether you include battery storage. We offer 0% APR finance options to help spread the cost, making solar more accessible. Get a free quote to see the exact price for your home.

Solar panel savings depend on several factors including your electricity usage, system size, roof orientation, and whether you have battery storage. On average, a typical 4kW solar panel system can save homeowners between £200-£400 per year on electricity bills. With battery storage, you can save even more by storing excess energy for use during peak times. Additionally, you can earn money through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) by selling excess electricity back to the grid. Over 25 years, most homeowners can save thousands of pounds. Our experts can provide a personalised savings estimate based on your specific situation.

Solar panels are built to last and typically come with a 25-30 year warranty. Most panels will continue to generate electricity well beyond their warranty period, often operating at 80-90% efficiency after 25 years. The inverter, which converts DC electricity to AC, typically lasts 10-15 years and may need replacement during the system's lifetime. Regular maintenance and cleaning can help maximise the lifespan of your solar panels. We use high-quality panels from trusted manufacturers and offer comprehensive warranties to protect your investment.

Yes, solar panels work in winter, though they generate less electricity than in summer due to shorter days and less sunlight. Solar panels actually work more efficiently in cooler temperatures, so even on cold, sunny winter days, they can produce significant energy. While you'll generate less power overall in winter months, modern solar panels can still produce electricity on cloudy days. The key is that solar panels work with daylight, not just direct sunlight. With battery storage, you can store excess summer energy to use during winter months, helping to balance your energy needs year-round.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a government-backed scheme that pays you for excess electricity your solar panels generate and export back to the grid. Energy suppliers with more than 150,000 customers must offer SEG tariffs. Rates vary by supplier but typically range from 1p to 21p per kWh exported. You'll need a smart meter to participate, and the payments are made quarterly or annually. While SEG payments are lower than the old Feed-in Tariff, they still provide a valuable income stream and help offset your initial investment. Our team can help you find the best SEG tariff for your situation.

In most cases, you don't need planning permission for solar panels on residential properties in England, Scotland, and Wales. Solar panels are considered "permitted development" as long as they meet certain criteria: they don't protrude more than 200mm from the roof, aren't installed on a listed building or in a conservation area, and don't exceed the highest part of the roof. However, if your property is listed, in a conservation area, or you live in a flat, you may need planning permission. We'll check all requirements during your free consultation and handle any necessary applications on your behalf.

Most residential solar panel installations take just 1-2 days to complete. The exact time depends on the size of your system, roof complexity, and whether you're adding battery storage. On day one, our MCS-certified engineers will install the panels, mounting system, and inverter. If you're adding battery storage, this may extend the installation to a second day. We can often install as soon as the next day if you order before 3pm. After installation, we'll test the system, register it with MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme), and help you set up your SEG payments. You'll be generating your own clean energy within 24-48 hours.

MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) is the UK's quality assurance scheme for renewable energy technologies. MCS certification ensures that your solar panel installation meets strict quality and safety standards. It's essential for accessing the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) and provides confidence that your system is installed correctly and will perform as expected. All our installations are MCS certified, meaning you'll receive a certificate confirming your system meets industry standards. This certification also adds value to your property and ensures you can benefit from government schemes and export tariffs.

Adding battery storage to your solar panel system can significantly increase your energy savings and independence. Batteries allow you to store excess solar energy generated during the day for use in the evening and night, reducing your reliance on the grid. This is especially valuable as electricity prices are typically higher during peak evening hours. With a battery, you can use up to 80% of your solar energy directly, compared to around 30-50% without storage. While batteries add to the initial cost, they can pay for themselves within 8-12 years and provide backup power during outages. Our experts can help you determine if battery storage makes sense for your home and energy usage patterns.

South-facing roofs are ideal for solar panels in the UK, as they receive the most sunlight throughout the day. However, southeast and southwest-facing roofs also work very well, typically generating 90-95% of what a south-facing roof would produce. East and west-facing roofs can still be effective, generating around 80-85% of optimal output. North-facing roofs are generally not recommended as they receive significantly less sunlight. If your roof isn't ideally oriented, we can still design an effective system - sometimes using a larger array or optimising panel angles. Our free survey will assess your roof's suitability and recommend the best configuration for maximum energy generation.

Solar panels require minimal maintenance, which is one of their key advantages. They have no moving parts, so there's little that can go wrong. The main maintenance task is keeping the panels clean - in the UK, rain usually does this naturally, but you may want to clean them occasionally if they become very dirty. Most systems include monitoring software so you can track performance and spot any issues early. Inverters may need replacement after 10-15 years, but panels themselves are very durable. We recommend an annual check-up to ensure everything is working optimally, and we offer maintenance packages to keep your system running at peak efficiency for years to come.

Yes, solar panels can be installed on flat roofs using special mounting systems that angle the panels toward the sun. Flat roof installations typically use ballasted or fixed mounting frames that tilt the panels at an optimal angle (usually 10-30 degrees) to maximise sunlight capture. These systems are designed to be weatherproof and don't require roof penetration, protecting your roof's integrity. Flat roofs can actually be advantageous as they allow for optimal panel positioning and easier access for maintenance. Our engineers will assess your flat roof's load-bearing capacity and recommend the best mounting solution. Planning permission may be required for flat roof installations if the panels exceed certain height restrictions.

Solar panels typically add value to your property, so you can often recoup your investment when you sell. Studies show that homes with solar panels can sell for 3-4% more than similar homes without them. When you move, the solar panel system stays with the property and becomes part of the sale. The new owners will benefit from reduced energy bills and SEG payments. Some mortgage lenders view solar panels as a positive feature. If you're planning to move soon, solar panels can still be a good investment - they're attractive to buyers and can help your property sell faster. We can provide documentation about your system's performance and warranties to share with potential buyers.

While the Feed-in Tariff has ended, there are still valuable incentives for solar panel installation. The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) pays you for excess electricity you export to the grid. Additionally, solar panels are currently zero-rated for VAT until March 2027, saving you 20% on installation costs. Some local authorities offer grants or loans for renewable energy installations. Solar panels can also help you meet energy efficiency requirements if you're planning renovations or extensions. While there aren't direct government grants like there used to be, the combination of reduced energy bills, SEG payments, and VAT savings make solar panels a financially attractive investment. Our team stays up-to-date with all available incentives and can help you maximise your savings.

The size of solar panel system you need depends on your electricity consumption, roof space, and budget. A typical UK household uses around 3,500-4,500 kWh per year. A 3-4kW system (10-14 panels) can generate 2,500-3,500 kWh annually, covering 60-80% of average household needs. A 5-6kW system (16-20 panels) can generate 4,000-5,000 kWh, potentially covering 100% or more of your usage. To determine the right size, we consider your current electricity bills, roof size and orientation, shading, and whether you want to add battery storage. Our free online quote tool helps you find the perfect system size for your home, and our experts can provide personalised recommendations during your consultation.

Solar panels capture daylight using photovoltaic (PV) cells, which turn it into direct current (DC). An inverter then changes this into alternating current (AC) so you can power your household appliances.

If you generate more electricity than you use, the extra can be stored in a battery for evening use, or exported back to the grid, where you may receive credit or payments under smart export schemes.

For many UK homes, solar panels are worthwhile. They can cut hundreds off annual energy bills, shield you from rising electricity prices and reduce your carbon footprint. While installation has an upfront cost, savings and the option to export excess energy mean most systems pay for themselves over time.

Panels also boost property value, and with battery storage, you can make even greater use of your own clean energy.

Savings vary depending on your home, usage and system size. Most households in the UK save between £300 and £600 per year on electricity bills. If you are home during the day and use more of your own generated energy, savings can be higher.

Adding a battery increases benefits by storing spare power for use at night, helping some homes cover most of their annual electricity needs.

Yes. Solar panels generate electricity from daylight, not just direct sunlight. On cloudy days, they still produce power, although output is lower than on bright, sunny days. In the UK, panels work all year round, even in winter.

While generation is highest in summer, many homes use batteries to store spare power, helping to smooth out usage and keep savings steady across the seasons, whatever the weather.

In most cases, you will not need planning permission because solar panels are classed as a permitted development in the UK. There are exceptions, such as if you live in a listed property, a conservation area, or if panels are fitted on a flat roof.

An expert iHeat installer will check these requirements for you and confirm whether permission is needed before your installation goes ahead.

Generally yes, our engineers will arrive with the materials required to carry out the installation. In some cases if certain materials are in low supply in your area, they may get delivered separately and will arrive after our installer is present on site.

Each solar installation is a unique undertaking with a number of contributing variables, but as a guide we advise that it could take up to 4 full days.

We ask that our customers please make sure all areas used during an installation are fully accessible and clear prior to our engineer’s arrival.