What is solar energy?

Solar energy, commonly referred to as solar electricity or solar power, is a safe, renewable and environmentally friendly way to produce electricity from the sun. Utilising solar panels mounted on rooftops, the ground or other suitable areas, it can be harnessed using 'photovoltaics (PV)' which is the technology that involves capturing sunlight and converting it into solar energy.

Is my roof suitable for solar panels?

Solar panels are more effective and work best when facing South, South East or South West. However, if your roof is not facing those directions - roofs facing directly East or West still provide a respectable 86% output compared to a south-facing roof. Nevertheless, there are often solutions available for homes with less than ideal rooftops and our team will assess this when designing your system.

How does solar energy benefit the environment?

Solar energy provides many benefits to the environment as it is a clean and renewable source of power. Solar energy does not release any harmful greenhouse gases and pollutants, which then leads to improved air quality and a greener, healthier environment.

Is a solar system worth the initial investment?

Solar PV panels rank as the favoured choice of renewable energy for homes. In the UK, there are more than 500,000 homes that have already implemented the benefits of solar PV panels. The benefits include lowering your energy bills, a decrease in carbon emissions, and the capability to elevate your home's market value. With a significant decline in the cost of solar panels, there has never been a more opportune time for investment.

Do I have to change my electric meter if I have solar panels?

A smart meter will definitely help you as it allows you to be paid for any excess electricity you generate. Most electricity providers are offering free smart meter installations for their customers if you may not already have one.

How reliable are solar panels?

Solar panels are generally considered very reliable and have a prolonged lifespan, typically ranging from 25 to 30 years and more. Reliability of solar panels will depend on several factors, including the installation, environmental conditions and the quality of the panels themselves. Annual cleaning will help extend the life of your solar panel system and can continue to generate electricity for decades.

Do I need to install solar storage batteries with my solar system?

It is common for solar panels to produce an excess of energy than what a household would need at any one time. The energy not being used is normally sent to the electricity grid, meaning you are losing out on the energy that is being generated by your solar panels. By integrating a solar battery into your solar PV system, all of the excess/unused energy can be stored for later use - this comes in handy during the night, as your solar panels are not actively generating energy.

What if it is cloudy or rains for several days? Will I still generate some electricity?

During extended periods of cloudy or rainy weather, your home's solar system will still be able to generate electricity, however the output will be significantly reduced in comparison to sunnier days. Direct sunlight is essential when it comes to generating electricity from your solar panels - the more sunlight they receive, the greater the output.

What if it snows on my solar panels?

When it comes to snow, it can definitely impact your solar panel's performance. Since the snow is effectively blocking the sunlight from reaching the photovoltaic cells, it is temporarily stopping the generation of energy.

What if I need more power in the future?

By installing a battery storage system it is possible to add to this in the future if you find that your demand for more electric goes up.

Will solar add value to my house?

Definitely! Installation of solar panels on your rooftop will increase the value of your property. Solar panels are considered to be an attractive feature by many homebuyers as they provide financial and environmental benefits. Many homebuyers look to buy properties already installed with solar panels as they are able to pay a reduced electricity bill straight away without installing the panels themselves.

How long will it take for a solar system to pay for itself in the Isle of Man?

You will have seen a growing number of solar installs across the island of late. When you install a solar energy system on your property, you save money on your electricity bills and protect yourself against rising electricity rates in the future. How much you can save depends on the electricity rate, your consumption and the size of the system that you install, but going solar is a smart investment regardless.