General Questions

Is the Feed-in Tariff guaranteed?

Yes. The government guarantees payments for 25 years. These are linked to the Retail Price Index so they will increase with inflation.

Exactly how much money will I save by using free electricity?

How much you save depends on how you manage your usage. Timer switches on dishwashers, washing machines, tumble driers and other appliances can help you maximise your consumption of free daytime electricity. If you'd like more advice on this, please call our sales team.

What if I don't use all the power generated by the panels during the day?

Any power you don't use will go back into the national grid.

Is there really enough sun in the UK for solar panels?

There is. Solar panels are powered by light, but they don't need to be in direct sunshine. There will be enough light to provide electricity to your home from sunrise to sunset, even if it's overcast or raining.

What about the winter? Will my solar panels still work then?

Solar panels generate electricity from daybreak onwards, and they continue to work even during the shortest days. Snowfall can sometimes obscure the panels and disrupt output for brief periods, but only until it slides off the glass surface.

Will solar power be as strong as my normal supply?

Yes. You will notice no difference whatsoever, and all your appliances will work normally.

Will solar power make our lights dimmer?

No.

Is there any noise from the panels when they are working?

There are no moving parts to your system, so there will be no noise.

Will we have to buy any special electrical equipment?

No, there is nothing extra for you to purchase.

Will a rise in VAT rate affect the purchase prices of these systems?

No. Solar systems are only liable to a 5% VAT charge, so prices will not be affected.

What happens when I sell my property?

When you sell your property, the agreement you made with us will pass on to the new owner. There will be a small admin fee to cover this.

Figures from the Energy Savings Trust show that properties equipped with Solar PV sell faster than other properties, and they sometimes command a higher offer or asking price.

Are the solar panels fragile?

This technology was first developed for space missions, and it's been proven to be extremely hardy and reliable. The panels are encased in toughened glass, with weatherproof resistant polymer underneath.

What if somebody wilfully damages the solar panels?

The panels are made from toughened glass and are exceptionally resilient, so it would be very difficult to damage them.

With a purchased system the panels are your property, hence your responsibility. Prior to installation you should contact your home insurance company to make sure you have adequate cover on your policy.

With a free system the panels remain the property of my energy station and are insured by us. You do not need to provide additional insurance cover and any damaged components would be replaced free of charge as appropriate.

Do solar panels increase the likelihood of a lightning strike?

No. The panels provide no added risk of lightning strike, so you won't need any additional insurance cover.

Do solar panels really offset carbon emissions?

When PV systems generate electricity, they produce no greenhouse gases or atmospheric emissions, unlike electricity produced from fossil fuels. Each kilowatt of PV electricity produced annually offsets up to:

• 16 kilograms of nitrogen oxides
• 9 kilograms of sulphur oxides
• 900 kilograms of CO2