Will my solar panels work during a power cut?
Solar panels alone won't power your home during a grid outage — for safety reasons, standard inverters shut down when the grid goes down. To keep your home running during a power cut you need a battery with backup capability. We can design a solar-plus-battery system that gives you both energy savings and blackout protection.
Is my roof suitable for solar panels?
Most are. South, south-west and south-east facing roofs work best, but east/west-facing roofs still generate well. We carry out a full survey before recommending anything — if it's not going to perform well for you, we'll say so.
Do I need planning permission?
In most cases, no — solar panels fall under permitted development rights. Exceptions apply to listed buildings and conservation areas. We'll confirm during your survey and handle any notifications required.
What is the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)?
The SEG requires energy suppliers to pay you for any surplus electricity you export back to the grid. Once your system is MCS certified, we'll provide your certificate so you can sign up with your chosen supplier right away.
How long does installation take?
A typical residential solar installation takes 1–2 days. We handle all scaffolding, electrical work and grid connection notifications — you don't need to organise anything separately.
Do solar panels work on cloudy days?
Yes — this is one of the most common misconceptions. Solar panels generate electricity from daylight, not direct sunshine, so they work perfectly well under overcast UK skies. Our Aiko ABC-technology panels are specifically designed to outperform in low-light conditions, starting up earlier and generating later in the day than conventional panels. The UK gets plenty of daylight to make solar very worthwhile.
How much could solar reduce my energy bills?
It depends on your energy usage, roof size and orientation, and whether you add battery storage. On average, a well-sized solar system can cut your electricity bills by 50–70%. Add a battery to store what you generate during the day and use it at night, and that figure can rise to 90% or more. We'll give you a realistic savings estimate during your free survey — not an inflated one.
Is scaffolding included in the price?
Yes — we include scaffolding as standard in our quoted price. There are no surprise extras once we've surveyed your property and confirmed your system design. The only exception is unusually complex access situations, which we'd flag upfront before you commit to anything.
