Solar panels made easy A South, South East or South West facing roof is ideal. Once the real facts are in; myths are busted, and a reputable installer sourced, your PV-powered future becomes a new found freedom. 1. Install a grid-connected PV panel array and inverter system. Run-it alongside a PV-converter to heat your hot water tank if applicable. 2. Once confident about the next three decades of exceedingly low energy costs, you'll add further life-enhancing technologies such as battery storage or an EV (electric car) further down the road. 3. Forward with confidence.

In partnership with the Renewable Energy Consumer Code.

Get savvy.

Contrary to popular belief, photovoltaics can work on cloudy days in the UK, and each sq/m of your roof receives between 900-1300 kWh a year.

Modern PV systems can produce and store for night time/EV use up to 4,200 kWh annually.

Do you have a South, South West, South East facing roof space?

If yes, your home's orientation to the sun sounds perfect for solar panels.

Do you have a thatched roof?

If solar panels cannot be installed on your roof. Would ground­mounted be an option?

Conservation area or area of outstanding beauty or listed property?

If yes, then please consult with your local planning office first.

Do you have a Combi boiler?

Solar heating technology is not viable. Go to PV.

Do you have a hot water storage tank?

If yes, solar heating may be viable.

Do you have an oil based heating system?

If yes, solar heating panels will be beneficial.

Does your home have an Energy Performance Certificate?

If no, make sure you adopt basic energy saving measures before installing solar panels to help you achieve a level D certificate (necessary when applying for the feed-in tariff).

Our installers will help you achieve this during the consultation/installation process.

Get quotes.

"As prices vary across different technologies and installers, I would strongly recommend you get three comparative quotations. These guidelines will ensure you can approach companies with confidence and peace of mind."

Know your rights:

• Approach only companies with RECC and MCS accreditation. You can begin your research with our & #8216;Get a PV quote’ service.

• Never be afraid to ask for clarification if you don’t understand anything before signing a contract. A good company will always be patient and helpful.

• Only pay 25% of the contract price up front. Most installers have a deposit protection scheme.

• Feeling pressured? Walk away. Good installers don’t need to use high­pressure sales tactics.

• If you do sign a contract in your home, then you have 14 days cooling off period.

• Only start the installation work after this 14-day cooling period. Written consent must be given by yourself if you want the installation to commence before.

• Never sign a waiver form to relinquish your cooling period ­ walk away.

• Offered finance? You have 14 days cooling period from the date you receive the documentation from the finance provider. Make sure you understand the figures.

• Solar panels are a significant investment for many, so never be shy to ask for and contact genuine testimonials. Pioneer’s love to spread their enthusiasm.

• Installers will always give you a full breakdown of expected performance and system specifications. Compare systems, performance and price figures.

• Study terms and conditions and check the company has insurance documents.

Install day.

"Curtains will twitch, but installation day should cause only a minimum disruption to your home. You are now a fully fledged solar pioneer, and you'll feel great pride at being the first on your street for decades to come."

What happens next:

Survey - Some companies do a technical review of your home when quoting, and some don’t. Don’t allow any work to commence before this is complete. This procedure ensures an install is possible.

Scaffolding - To gain access to your roof space, a company will build a frame up to the guttering level. This procedure ensures a safe working platform for the installers, and depending on the scaffolding company - should be removed within a few days of completion.

Installation day - Great! Make sure the installers explain each stage of the process. After the installation is complete, you can register your system to get the FITS/RHI.

The first few days - A notable and common aftereffect of installing solar panels is the performance checking. Many try to resist, but unfortunately, the temptation to keep checking the output of your system in different weather conditions is too insuppressible.

The first few months - Now you finally got your daily performance checking under control, but inquisitiveness still exists with the changing of the seasons.

The first year - Now you're beginning to see the fruits of your investment. With the bills falling on your welcome matt diminished and your feed­in tariff generating income, your decision to install solar panels now seems like a stroke of genius.

And beyond - With a full assessment of the benefits and decades of service to look forward to, many solar pioneers decide to install other alternative technologies.

Author.

"Forward with confidence."

Stuart Lovatt
Founder of Power My Home.