Solar battery storage is optional, although when buying a solar energy system, most will opt for a battery to store and use their power once the sun goes down.  A solar battery can be a relatively inexpensive addition to any solar energy system, especially as you won’t pay 20% VAT which is a UK government policy.  Plus, you’ll save money in the long run by using renewable energy to power your home whether the sun is out or not.  Most systems will produce more energy than you can use during daylight hours, so if you spend a great deal of time at home during the day, you can utili ..read more

Solar battery storage is optional, although when buying a solar energy system, most will opt for a battery to store and use their power once the sun goes down.  A solar battery can be a relatively inexpensive addition to any solar energy system, especially as you won’t pay 20% VAT which is a UK government policy.  Plus, you’ll save money in the long run by using renewable energy to power your home whether the sun is out or not.  Most systems will produce more energy than you can use during daylight hours, so if you spend a great deal of time at home during the day, you can utili ..read more

When you’re doing all those internet searches in your quest for knowledge before taking the plunge into the world of solar, you’ll keep seeing the letters MCS.  Like all industry bodies, MCS is a term that’s very unfamiliar to anyone outside the renewables game.  But it is important that solar customers know that any company they use is reliable, professional and accountable.  That’s why MCS was formed now let’s demystify those 3 letters.  What is MCS certification? MCS stands for Microgeneration Certification Scheme.   MCS is an industry standards organisation e ..read more

Can you fit Solar Panels ON a detached garage? You can absolutely fit solar panels on a detached garage roof! Garages usually come under the ‘existing structure’ category when it comes to planning permission, but it’s always best to check before you get started. Fitting power in your garage can be a great idea for DIY, charging your tools, hot tub, EV charging, bar or just keeping the lights on. You can even use power generated on the garage roof to power your home too! Assessing your garage’s solar potential Installing anything on, around or near your home can be subject to planning permissi ..read more

‘PERC’ stands for ‘Passivated Emitter and Rear Contact’ – which is an indicator of how these solar panels work. Unless you work in the solar industry or take a keen interest in solar tech, those words don’t mean a great deal. Basically, PERC Solar panels have greater efficiency than standard PV panels due to the design of the solar cells inside them. Firstly let’s explore how standard solar panels work. How do standard PV solar panels work?  Inside a PV Solar Panels are a number of cells made from silicon, wire and glass – this is where the magic happens. Silicon is the second most abund ..read more

In short, ECO 4 is a government scheme that allows people to access money to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The way ECO4 works is by opening up avenues to receive grants from certain energy suppliers and it’s available to people living in fuel poverty or in unsuitable homes. It covers items like new insulation, more efficient heating, eco-friendly boilers, heat pumps and, of course, solar energy systems. Covered by ECO4: Wall Insulation First Time Central Heating Loft Insulation Same Room Insulation Solar Panels Window Improvements (Double to triple) Air Source Heat Pumps Boile ..read more

Now, there’s a question. Like any aesthetics, it all down to a matter of taste as ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’. That said, there have been reams and reams of papers published on this subject, with studies across different countries, cultures and demographics. From NIMBYs in rural Britain complaining about ‘blots on the landscape’, to the proliferation of solar farms in China and India, the ‘Are solar panels ugly’ debate has been raging for years. So, let’s add to that debate and take a look at what people are saying about solar panels. Why is opinion so divided on solar panels? &nbs ..read more

Solar Panels certainly do work on cloudy days, in fact, they will work in almost any weather so long as the sun is still shining behind the clouds. Now, that probably seems a little counter intuitive in terms of what the public thinks, but we can assure you it’s true. And now we’ll tell you why! How does a solar panel work?   As a very famous actor from the 90s once said, ‘Here comes the science!’ One of the most popular misconceptions about solar is that you need direct sunlight to create electricity, but you just need light! Inside solar panels are lots of PV solar cells, these ce ..read more

What is a Polycrystalline Solar Panel?  Polycrystalline panels are considered old technology now, but they are still a very popular choice in developing nations, on solar farms and for DIY solar projects. When you look up at a solar array on someone’s roof or drive past a huge solar park, if the panels have a blue hue about them … they are polycrystalline solar panels. You can still see them ‘out in the wild’ on older, domestic solar systems too. But what does polycrystalline mean? Let’s take a close look at these iconic panels. How do Polycrystalline solar panels work?   All s ..read more

When answering the question ‘What is a Monocrystalline Solar Panel’ we can go for a very simple explanation or a very in depth, technical and confusing one. The latter would take a while and, in all honestly, be pointless – I don’t know how the inside of my laptop works, but I know how to use Word! So, here’s a simple explanation of what ‘mono’ crystalline means. How do monocrystalline solar panels work?   PV solar panels are made up of ‘photovoltaic’ cells that convert the light energy from the sun into electricity.   These differ from what is known as Thermal Solar – which uses ..read more