Question 1

Can I buy solar panels?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can buy solar panels without having to have them installed by the same company. There are lots of online companies that will sell you single solar panel modules, but there are also lots of businesses that offer DIY solar panel kits with everything that you need to install solar panels yourself. If you’re looking to buy solar panels without installation, you should expect to spend around £4,000-5000 on a 3.5kW system, which is the average system installed in the UK. When you buy solar panels to install yourself, it’s worth bearing in mind that you won’t be eligible for Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments. To receive SEG payments, your solar panels need to be installed by an MCS-registered installer, and if any schemes come about in the future it’s likely that the rules will be the same. It’s also worth doing some sums before you decide to buy solar panels and install them yourself. An average solar panel system installed by an MCS-registered company will cost between £4,500-6,000. While that’s more expensive than a DIY solar panel kit, you can claim SEG payments. According to the Energy Saving Trust, you can make your money back on your solar panels within 16 years with the SEG, but without the SEG it could be up to 20 years – and that’s only if you’re at home all day to use the electricity. So before you go ahead and buy solar panels to install yourself, consider whether it would be better to get in touch with some solar companies to get quotes and see if it’s better to pay more upfront.

Question 2

Can Solar Panels be installed on an office building?

Accepted Answer

With energy prices rising steadily over the past couple of years, it’s little surprise several individuals are now seeking other options for powering their commercial and office buildings. With that said, the most common energy saving solutions incorporated by a lot of people are solar panels and wind turbines – the former being the favourite of most. Not only because they feature fewer moving parts, but also because they require less maintenance. So, can solar panels be installed on an office building? The short and simple answer to this question is yes, solar panels can definitely be installed on an office building. They’re noiseless, requires minimal maintenance, reduces your carbon footprint and saves you money. However, there’s the need to ensure that the best solar panels are installed on your office building to be able to fully enjoy these aforementioned benefits and more. So how do you go about that? Let’s take a look! If you want to install a solar panel, you’d discover that they come in various sizes, quality as well as cost. It’s important to always consider the panel’s size and select one that’s appropriate for your office roof as well as power needs. Furthermore, the efficiency is also crucial. When you get an efficient system, this is able to charge the batteries a lot quicker with a higher energy output, meaning more energy savings for you. What’s more? The durability of the panel is also important as a panel that’s durable comes with quality parts which helps you avoid downtimes at work. Finally, you should also consider a solar panel with a warranty which covers a more extended period. Several panels come with warranties of over ten years, but if you can get the one of over 20 years then the better.

Question 3

Which commercial property are 4-10kW commercial solar panels best for?

Accepted Answer

It’s important to get the right size solar panel system for your commercial property. Solar panels are usually installed on pitched roofs, although they can be fitted on stands on the ground if you have some unused outdoor space. The more panels you install, the more power you’ll generate, but there’s no point buying more panels than you have space for.

Solar panel system sizes are measured in kW. 4-10kW solar panel systems are usually too big for domestic properties but are ideal for smaller commercial properties. Here’s an idea of how many panels and space you’ll need for a few different system sizes:

System size, Number of panels, Area required (approximate)

4kW, 16, 23m²

6kW, 24, 35m²

8kW, 32, 46m²

10kw, 40, 58m²

Bear in mind that solar panels can’t be less than 30cm away from a roof edge, so you’ll need more space than the area that the panels take up.

Question 4

Can I install solar thermal panels myself?

Accepted Answer

In theory, you can install solar thermal panels yourself. But it’s best to leave it to professionals. We’ll explain why here. Solar thermal panels work in a similar way to solar PV panels. They use collectors, in the form of evacuated tubes or flat plate collectors, to collect heat from the sun and use it to heat up water that’s stored in a hot water cylinder. You can use a boiler or immersion heater as a back-up to heat the water further so it’s at the temperature you want. So should you install a solar thermal system yourself? It certainly seems tempting since you can buy full solar thermal DIY kits with everything you need for £1,500 to £2,000. To have a solar hot water system installed by a professional, you’re looking at between £5,000 and £6,000, so it looks like there’s a significant saving to be made. However, if you want to take advantage of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) payments, which is a Government scheme where you’re paid for using a renewable energy source to heat your home and/or its hot water, you can’t install it yourself. You need to engage a Microgeneration Certification Scheme-registered installer who can issue you with a certificate to say that the solar thermal panels have been installed correctly. For a 4m2 system that serves a 4-person household, the payments could be up to £375 per year. That means you could pay your system off within 14 years, and that’s not taking into account any of the savings you’ll make on your energy bills. So, while you can install solar thermal panels yourself, it’s much better in the long term to have them installed by an MCS-registered company.

Question 5

How long do solar panels last?

Accepted Answer

The lifetime of a solar panel depends on its quality and age. Generally, the older a solar panel gets, the less efficient it becomes. The majority of modern solar panels come with 20-30 year warranties, which means that they’ll stay at a good efficiency level for at least this long. Some panels can stay efficient for as long as 40 years, while others won’t last this long.

Question 6

Can solar panels cause fires?

Accepted Answer

It’s only likely that solar panels will cause fires if they are installed incorrectly. The safest thing to do is ask an MCS-registered engineer to install your panels as they have all the relevant qualifications and training in handling electricity. If you choose a reputable company that can prove they have the right certifications, it’s highly unlikely that your solar panels will cause a fire. It’s important to remember that solar PV panels can’t start a fire themselves. It’s other parts that could become faulty that would then lead to a fire. For example, if the connectors in the system aren’t seamed properly, it could cause arcing and overheating, which could then cause the panels to set alight. Another possibility is that the junction box overheats and starts a fire. The junction box is found on the rear side of the solar panel and enables the electrical connection via a connector. Of course, since solar panels harness electricity, there is always a small fire risk – just like there is with any electrical appliance in your home. But there are some precautions you can take to reduce your risk of fire from solar panels: Don’t buy cheap solar panels – while it might seem tempting, make sure you choose MCS-certified solar panels. Any reputable installer will recommend high quality solar panels, which is another reason to have them professionally installed rather than doing it yourself. Ensure that your installer uses non-combustible mounting systems and frames. Check your system regularly for signs of pests gnawing through cables. Keep your solar panel system regularly maintained with proper testing and servicing carried out as recommended by your installer. If something doesn’t look right to you, get in touch with your installer and ask – they should be more than happy to help.

Question 7

How long do home solar batteries last?

Accepted Answer

How long home solar batteries last depends on the type of battery you have and how often it’s charged and discharged (when electricity is fed into it, then used later on). Generally speaking, a home solar battery should last between 5 and 15 years. Lithium-ion batteries last longer than lead acid batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are more common these days because they’re more cost effective. A lead acid battery is the cheaper option at around £2,000, but it’s likely to last between 5-8 years. On the other hand, a lithium-ion battery may set you back around £4,000, but will last between 11-15 years. So you can see that it’s well worth choosing a lithium-ion home solar battery. It’s also worth considering that a solar battery’s lifespan will be reduced if you over-discharge it. When your home solar battery is installed, you’ll be left a manual which will tell you its depth of discharge, or DoD. This means how much you can use the battery before recharging it – it's not as simple as letting the battery run down to 0% then charging it again. In fact, this can significantly shorten your battery’s lifespan. If your solar battery system’s DoD is 80% and its capacity is 5kW, make sure you charge it before you use up 4kW to help prolong its life. Luckily, most lithium-ion batteries have a DoD of 80% or more, so you don’t need to worry about not being able to use much of the electricity stored in your home solar battery. This is another reason to use them over lead acid batteries, because their DoD can be as low as 50%.

Question 8

Can solar thermal be used for central heating?

Accepted Answer

Yes – solar thermal can be used for central heating. Solar thermal panels work by collecting heat from the sun, either through evacuated tubes or flat plate collectors, and transferring that to a heat transfer liquid that heats your hot water. This can then be used to preheat your central heating.

You’ll need a hot water cylinder to store the water that your solar thermal panels heat up. It’s likely that you’ll need an immersion heater or boiler to heat the water further so you can use it for your central heating, and as a back-up during the longest winter months since the solar panels won’t be able to generate as much heat.

In our opinion, it’s best to use your solar thermal panels for hot water rather than your central heating. That’s because you use hot water all year round, whereas you probably won’t have your central heating on in the spring and summer, when the panels can generate the most heat. For central heating, air- or ground-source heat pumps are a great renewable option, and you can even power them with electricity from solar PV panels if you want to be as eco-friendly as possible.

Solar Panel Installer job	Solar Panel Installer cost in 2025
Solar panel in Swadlincote	£4,825-£11,065
Solar thermal in Swadlincote	£3,000-£4,600
Commercal solar pv 11kw - 50kw in Swadlincote	£11,200-£16,800
small Commercial solar panel system in Swadlincote	£7,200-£10,800
Commercial solar pv 51kw+ system in Swadlincote	£44,000-£66,000
Thermodynamic (solar hot water) in Swadlincote	£4,125-£6,325
Solar battery in Swadlincote	£3,080-£5,390
Supply-only solar electricity in Swadlincote	£2,600-£4,875
Solar repair and maintenance in Swadlincote	£375-£575
Supply-only solar thermal panels in Swadlincote	£2,280-£4,275
Solar tiles in Swadlincote	£4,760-£7,140
Solar panel cleaning in Swadlincote	£100-£200
Solar panels with battery in Swadlincote	£3,400-£5,100

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