Q - What happens when I produce more energy than I need?
Answer - When this happens, the electricity your panels produce that's surplus to your needs flows back into the grid for other homes to use. Provided you have an arrangement with your energy company, you’ll get paid for this power. Your energy bills will be even lower and none of the clean electricity you generate will ever be wasted. But not all electricity suppliers offer this service so you may need to change supplier. Speak to your electricity provider for details or visit www.uswitch.com to check which energy companies offer arrangements like this.
Q - Will solar panels work in the UK, even during winter?
Answer - Solar panels today are more efficient than ever. Remember, solar power generation depends on intensity of light, not sustained, strong direct sunlight. Even when it’s overcast, solar panels will produce clean electricity to help power your home.
Q - What happens if something goes wrong?
Answer - The panels Planet Solar will install come with a 25 year performance warranty. The installation comes with a 2 year warranty so you can be sure your service will be of the highest standard. If you experience problems just call us.
Q - How long will the panels take to pay for themselves?
Answer - The average UK home consumes around 3300kWh (or units) of electricity per annum. A typical PV solar panel system would be a 2kWp system which would produce approximately 1500kWh per year (based on 750kWh per 1kWp installed under UK conditions), which is roughly half of the expected yearly consumption. Payback will vary greatly depending on individual electricity consumption patterns and naturally, energy prices, which are projected to rise remorselessly. The time will obviously be even shorter if energy prices continue to increase in the future.
Q - Will they add value to my home?
Answer - The answer is yes, although it is difficult to quote an exact percentage, primarily because awareness about the advantages of PV solar panels is not widespread yet. However the desire to become more environmentally friendly in making purchase decisions for the home, combined with the obvious attractions of saving money, will definitely add value from day one. Some Industry sources are already happy to suggest that a home fitted with a solar panel system should demand at least a 10% higher price than the same house without solar power. Furthermore, when Home Information Packs come into force, homes with solar panels fitted will achieve a higher rating of Energy Performance Certificate.
Q - What kind of house can they be fitted to?
Answer -The roof that the panels are fitted to needs to be yours. This unfortunately rules out anyone living in a flat, unless your landlord is the specifier. Your roof also needs to be of a suitable orientation, material and size. Planet Solar will establish whether your home could usefully have solar panels installed using a combination of our pre-survey questionnaire and home site survey by one of our professional solar surveyors. They will take photographs, exact measurements and then use the latest computer modelling techniques to provide a detailed assessment and report.
Q - Why should I buy from Planet Solar?
Answer - Planet Solar is part of a multi million pound company which has over ten years successful experience in installing trouble free home improvement projects for homeowners. Planet Solar is also an officially authorised distributor for Sharp, the world leaders in solar panel technology, who have been manufacturing them since the 1950's. Buying from us you can be sure you're getting the best.
Q - Will I ever have to go without power?
Answer - Never! - your home will always be connected to the National Grid. If at any time your solar panels produce less electricity than your home is using, or at night time when they will not generate any, you will simply receive electricity in the normal way, through the mains.
Q - What happens should there be a power cut?
Answer - Planet Solar photovoltaic systems for homes are entirely grid connected. If there is a power cut, your system will switch off automatically. This is a safety measure designed to stop electricity from your solar system flowing back on to the national grid to protect individuals who may be working to restore the power supply.
Q - Where are the panels manufactured?
Answer - The panels are manufactured in Sharp's state-of-the-art facility in Wrexham, North Wales. This is Sharp's first European solar module manufacturing plant.
Q - How much energy do I need?
Answer - According widely quoted figures, including those from the Energy Saving Trust, the average 3 bedroom house consumes around 3,300 units of electricity, or kilowatt hours (kWh) a year (assuming cooking and heating use a non-electric supply source). However, the only way to be certain is to look at your last few bills. For the most accurate figure you should call your electricity supplier to find out how many units you actually have consumed over a 12 month period. You can then compare this to the output of the system Planet Solar has recommended for you.
Q - Isn't solar power expensive?
Answer - Not if you take into consideration all the factors. For example, not only should the value or price of your house increase as a result of having solar panels. Fitting a system helps 'future proof' your home against ever rising fuel prices, making properties doubly attractive to price conscious house buyers who are also nowadays equally keen to make environmentally friendly purchasing decisions. If fuel prices continue to rise, the most energy efficient homes, especially those with renewable power generation capabilities are likely to continue to sell at a premium.
Q - What maintenance and cleaning do the systems need?
Answer - Absolutely none. Planet solar panels will be cleaned naturally by the effects of the weather. The systems are completely silent in operation, unobtrusive on the eye, have no moving parts to wear out or go wrong and require no maintenance.
Q - Who do I call if I do have any problems?
Answer - In the unlikely event that you experience any issues with your panel, you should call Telephone 01524 510 290 or email us direct. We should be able to sort your query over the phone or email but if we can't, we can send a qualified installer out to solve the problem in person. Alternatively, just pop into your local Planet Solar showroom and we'll do all we can to help.
Q - Do solar installations need batteries?
Answer - There is no need for battery storage facilities to be required, as the systems connect to the local electricity supply and any excess power can be sold back to the appropriate electricity supply company.
Q - Which electricity supplier should I use?
Answer - Planet Solar strongly recommends that you use one of several suppliers who already offer renewable energy buyback facilities. It is likely that in future all energy companies will come under government pressure or be obliged by law to offer this option. There are many electricity suppliers to choose from - you can check with u-switch and select 'green' when comparing results.
Q - OK! - tell me how much a PV solar panel system from Planet Solar will cost.
Answer - Every system is tailored specifically, either to your budget, or stated electricity generation requirements. Other variable factors will also affect the performance and cost, like the size and shape of your roof, the presence of shading, the orientation of your house towards north and south and your home's total energy consumption. For all these reasons there is no single price. Based on our experience, a system to generate 50% of the typical UK home's annual electricity requirement should cost around £8600 after deduction of any grant.
Q - Can I get a grant from the government for my panels?
Answer - Each installation is individual so an application has to be processed prior to the agreement of a grant. Typical grants are in the region of £2000 per kW of installed power up to a maximum of £2500 per household. The grant form can be downloaded from the following website, www.est.org.uk/myhome/generating/application.