10 Questions to Ask Before Getting a Solar PV System Installed at Your Home

Introduction

Installing a solar PV system at your home is a great way to save money on your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint. However, before you make the decision to go solar, there are several important questions you should ask yourself and your potential solar installer. In this blog post, we will explore 10 key questions that will help you make an informed decision about getting a solar PV system installed at your home.

10 Questions to ask before getting a SOLAR PV system installed at your home

1. Is my house suitable for Solar Panels?

2. Do I have the right type of roof for Solar Panels to be fitted?

3. Does my roof need repaired before fitting Solar Panels?

4. How much weight can my roof take?

5. What size Array do I want?

6. Do I want Battery Storage?

7. What size is my Main Cut-out Fuse?

8. Is there enough space in my Consumer unit?

9. Where can the Invertor be mounted?

10. Can Scaffolding be erected at my House?

1. Is my home suitable for solar panels?

The first thing you need to consider when installing a solar PV system is whether your home is suitable. The majority of systems are installed on roofs, so you need to have enough open space and the right orientation. An ideal solar PV system faces south or slightly southeast or southwest, but there are ways to maximize output even if your roof faces in a different direction.

You also need to take the size of your roof into consideration. If you have a small roof with not much space, it may not be worth installing a solar PV system because you won't be able to fit enough panels to generate enough energy.

Another important factor to consider is shading, trees and other buildings can cast shadows on your roof, which will reduce the amount of energy your solar panels can produce. Ideally, you want a roof that is exposed to sunlight throughout the day.

If your roof is not suitable for solar PV, you may want to consider ground mounted solar. This is an option if you have a large property with a plot of land that is open and gets plenty of sunlight.

Overall, the best way to determine if your home is suitable for solar PV is to consult with a qualified solar installer.

2. Do I have the right type of roof for Solar Panels to be fitted?

The alternate thing you need to know before getting solar PV installed is the type of roof you have. Different types of roofs bear different installation styles and costs.

For illustration, complexion visage penstocks are a common and easy- to- install roof type. To install solar panels on this type of roof, the installer would lift some of the penstocks, install classes on the underpinning roof joists, and also bear the penstocks around the classes.

Slate roofs are more delicate to install solar panels on, as the penstocks are more delicate to lift and sculpture. This can increase the installation cost.

Flat roofs also bear different installation styles than pitched roofs.

To get an accurate quotation for solar PV installation, it's important to give your installer with information about your roof type, pitch, and confines. You can do this by taking filmland of your roof, or by using Google Earth to gather the information.

Here is a summary of the crucial points

• Different roof types bear different solar PV installation styles and costs.

• complexion visage penstocks are a common and easy- to- install roof type.

• Slate roofs are more delicate to install solar panels on.

• Flat roofs also bear different installation styles than pitched roofs.

• To get an accurate quotation for solar PV installation, give your installer with information about your roof type, pitch, and confines.

3. Does my roof need repaired before fitting Solar Panels?

If you have an old roof that needs repairs, you should consider installing an in-roof solar PV system instead of an on-roof system. In-roof systems are recessed into the roof and look neater than on-roof systems.

If you need to replace your roof anyway, it's best to do it at the same time as you install solar panels. This will save you money on scaffolding costs and you'll only have to deal with one disruption to your home.

Even if you don't need to replace your entire roof, you may need to repair some tiles. If you know this in advance, you can plan for the roofer to come in and do the repairs while the scaffolding is up for the solar installation. This will save you time and money.

Here is a summary of the key points:

• If your roof needs repairs, consider installing an in-roof solar PV system.

• If you need to replace your roof anyway, do it at the same time as you install solar panels.

• If you need to repair some tiles, plan for the roofer to come in while the scaffolding is up for the solar installation.

4. How much weight can my roof take?

The fourth thing to consider when installing solar panels is the weight capacity of your roof. Most modern roofs are overengineered and can easily handle the weight of solar panels, but older roofs with old roof trusses may need to be inspected by a structural engineer to ensure that they can support the extra weight.

This is important because solar panels can be quite heavy, weighing around 20-30 kilograms each. If you have 20 panels on your roof, you are adding several hundred kilograms of weight.

If you are unsure whether your roof can handle the weight of solar panels, it is best to err on the side of caution and consult with a structural engineer.

Here is a summary of the key points:

• Solar panels can be quite heavy, weighing around 20-30 kilograms each.

• Older roofs with old roof trusses may need to be inspected by a structural engineer to ensure that they can support the extra weight of solar panels.

• If you are unsure whether your roof can handle the weight of solar panels, it is best to err on the side of caution and consult with a structural engineer.

5.What size Array do I want?

The fifth and most important thing to consider when installing solar panels is the size of the array you want. This depends on your goals for installing solar and your budget.

If you want to be able to power your entire house with solar energy and even charge an electric vehicle, you will need a larger array than if you just want to reduce your carbon footprint.

You also need to consider the g99 approval process. Any system that produces more than 16 amps per phase or 3.68 kilowatts per phase needs this approval. This is because you will be feeding power back into the grid.

If you can't get g99 approval, you can still get g98 approval, which allows for up to 3.68 kilowatts of solar generation. This is still a decent amount of power.

To determine the size of array you need, you should first calculate your annual electricity usage in kilowatt hours. This will help your installer and designer to know what size system is appropriate for you.

You don't want to oversize your system, or you will be exporting a lot of electricity to the grid that you don't need. The goal is to get the right balance between maximizing the amount of solar energy you use and not overproducing.

Here is a summary of the key points:

• The size of your solar panel array depends on your goals and budget.

• You may need g99 approval if your system produces more than 16 amps per phase or 3.68 kilowatts per phase.

• To determine the size of array you need, calculate your annual electricity usage in kilowatt hours.

• Don't oversize your system, or you will be exporting a lot of electricity to the grid that you don't need.

6. Do I want Battery Storage?

The next question to ask yourself is whether you want battery storage. Solar and battery storage are becoming more and more popular together, because solar only produces energy when the sun is shining. This means that you may not be able to use all of the solar energy you produce during the day, when you need it most (in the evening).

Battery storage allows you to store solar energy that you generate during the day and use it later, when you need it. This is a great way to maximize the benefits of solar energy and reduce your reliance on the grid.

However, battery storage requires space because batteries are quite large. It also requires certain electrical requirements.

Here is a summary of the key points:

• Solar and battery storage are becoming more and more popular together.

• Battery storage allows you to store solar energy that you generate during the day and use it later, when you need it.

• This is a great way to maximize the benefits of solar energy and reduce your reliance on the grid.

• However, battery storage requires space and certain electrical requirements.

7. What size is my Main Cut-out Fuse?

When designing the electrical system for a solar PV system, there are a few things that need to be in place.

1. Check the size of your main cutout fuse. This is the fuse that protects your entire electrical system and limits the amount of electricity you can use at any one time. If your main cutout fuse is too small, you may need to upgrade it to a 100-amp fuse.

2. Make sure the necessary safety measures are in place. This includes having a main earth cable and bonding all metal services that come into the property, such as the gas pipe and water pipe.

3. Locate the consumer unit and check for spare ways. The consumer unit is the box where all of the electrical circuits in your home start. You need to make sure that there are spare ways in the consumer unit to connect the solar PV system.

Here are some additional tips:

• Take a picture of the inside of your electricity meter box and send it to your installer. They will be able to tell you the size of your main cutout fuse and whether you need to upgrade it.

• You can find out who your distribution network operator (DNO) is on the Energy Networks Association website.

• To check if your gas and water pipes are bonded, look for an earth clamp within about a meter of the gas meter and the main stopcock for your water.

• If you are unsure about any of these things, it is best to consult with a qualified electrician.

8. Is there enough space in my Consumer unit?

The main consumer unit is where the power cable comes into your house and splits into different circuits. It's like a fuse box, but the official term is consumer unit.

The consumer unit in the video is too small to add any new circuits. To install a solar PV system, you need at least one additional circuit, and if you have battery storage or an electric vehicle charging point, you need even more.

In this case, the installers installed a switch fuse with an 80-amp supply. They tapped into the main tails coming into the property and ran an armoured cable from the switch fuse to the garage. They then installed a new consumer unit in the garage to run all the new circuits for the solar, battery, and EV charging point.

This is a good way around it if you don't have space to add a switch fuse or additional consumer unit in your main consumer unit. However, you need to have space in your garage to install the new equipment.

Here is a summary of the key points:

• The main consumer unit is where the power cable comes into your house and splits into different circuits.

• To install a solar PV system, you need at least one additional circuit. If you have battery storage or an electric vehicle charging point, you need even more.

• In the video, the installers installed a switch fuse and a new consumer unit in the garage to run all the new circuits for the solar, battery, and EV charging point.

• This is a good way around it if you don't have space to add a switch fuse or additional consumer unit in your main consumer unit, but you need to have space in your garage to install the new equipment.

9. Where can the Invertor be mounted?

The next thing you need to consider is where to put the solar inverter. The inverter is a box that converts the DC power generated by solar panels into AC power that can be used by your home and electric vehicle. It is a large box, so you need to have enough space to mount it on a fireproof board.

You may choose to put the inverter in the garage because there is a large open wall. You may install an additional consumer unit, isolator switches, and a generation meter.

If the battery is also going to be installed in the garage, it is a large device that will go from floor to ceiling.

It is important to think about where you will put the inverter and battery in advance and tell your installer. This will help to make the planning process smoother and make life easier for them.

Here is a summary of the key points:

• The inverter is a large box that converts DC power from solar panels into AC power that can be used by your home and electric vehicle.

• It is important to have enough space to mount the inverter on a fireproof board.

• The battery is also a large device that will need to be installed.

• Think about where you will put the inverter and battery in advance and tell your installer

10. Can Scaffolding be erected at my House?

The final thing you need to think about is whether scaffolding can be installed around your property. This is necessary for the installers to work safely on the roof.

Some houses may be difficult or expensive to scaffold, so it is important to do a walk around your property to assess the situation. If scaffolding is not possible, you will need to factor this into the cost of the solar panel installation.

Solar installers usually have a scaffolding company that they work with, so they can provide you with a quote. However, they will need to know how feasible it is to install scaffolding around your property.

I hope this video has been helpful. If you found it informative, please like and subscribe to the channel. And if you would like a quote for solar, battery storage, or EV charging, please get in touch.

Here is a summary of the key points:

• Scaffolding is necessary for the solar panel installers to work safely on the roof.

• Some houses may be difficult or expensive to scaffold, so it is important to assess the situation in advance.

• Solar installers usually have a scaffolding company that they work with, but they will need to know how feasible it is to install scaffolding around your property.

Conclusion

Before getting a solar PV system installed at your home, it's important to ask these 10 questions to ensure you make the right decision. By considering factors such as the suitability of your home, the cost, financing options, and warranties, you can make an informed choice and enjoy the benefits of solar energy for years to come.