Installing solar panels on a residential building generally does not require planning permission if they meet certain criteria. However, if you’re installing ground-mounted solar panels or if your property is in a conservation area, Listed Building, or World Heritage Site, you may need to apply for planning permission or seek prior approval.

Dirty solar panels can reduce their efficiency and output. Most solar panel systems involve no maintenance, and the rain will usual clear any debris. If your system does require cleaning, unfortunately this isn’t a service we provide, but there are services out there using soft brushes via a water-fed pole.

Without a storage system in place, whatever power you don’t use will essentially be sent back to the grid. One of the most economically viable ways to store the power generated from the PV system is through batteries. These make round-the-clock energy usage possible and can improve self-consumption efficiency by up to 85%.

Most solar panels have a 12–25-year product warranty and come with a 25-year linear power output guarantee, which would usually see the efficiency of the panel drop to approximately 80%. Industry standard rule of thumb is that they last for 25-30 years, with the energy production declining in the later years.

The amount of electricity your solar panels will generate per year depends on factors such as system size, roof orientation, roof pitch, shading and local sunlight conditions. Using the MCS Performance Calculation, we will be able to provide an estimate of electricity generation on your quote.

Energy generated by solar PV modules is not generally used in its original form DC (Direct Current), so it needs to be converted to a more usable form of electricity called AC (Alternating Current) at the same voltage as the home or business, which is done by an inverter. Generated energy will first and foremost be utilised by the property to offset any electrical loads currently drawing power. Once the energy requirements of the property have been fulfilled, any surplus energy can be used to charge a battery storage system (if present within the system), or it will be exported back to the grid.

The term Solar PV refers to a photovoltaic system consisting of solar panels and an inverter, that can turn a home or business into a source of energy generation. It does this by converting sunlight into electricity, through systems that can be mounted on rooftops or on ground-mounted systems in gardens or open landscapes.

A solar inverter is what converts the direct current (DC) produced by your solar panels into ready-to-use alternating current (AC) to power your building. They typically have a conversion efficiency of between 93% and 96% and have a lifespan of approximately 10 years. This lar

You’ll need to use electricity from the grid when your solar panels aren’t generating enough power, like at night or during the winter.