Frequently Asked Questions

Yes - solar panels generate electricity from daylight, not direct sunshine, so they still produce power on cloudy days. Output is naturally higher in summer, but a well-designed system works year-round in the UK.

Yes - we're MCS certified through Q-Smart, NAPIT registered, TrustMark endorsed, and an OZEV-approved installer, so your installation meets the standards required for warranties, export tariffs and government incentives.

It depends on your roof, your household's energy usage, and the size of system that makes sense for your property. After a free home survey, we give you a detailed, fixed quote - no hidden extras and no pressure to sign on the spot.

It comes down to your roof size, orientation and your household's electricity usage. Most homes fit somewhere between 10 and 16 panels, but we'll confirm the right number for you during your free on-site survey.

Most domestic solar installations fall under permitted development and don't need planning permission. Listed buildings and some conservation areas are the main exceptions - we'll flag it during your survey if it applies to you.

Either works. Adding a battery at the same time as your panels is usually more cost-effective, but we design every system so a battery can be retrofitted later on if that suits your budget better.

Most roof types and orientations can support solar, though south-facing roofs with minimal shading perform best.

Solar panels typically carry a 25-30 year performance warranty and continue generating well beyond that. We'll confirm the specific product and workmanship warranties that apply to your system as part of your quote.

Yes - we handle all DNO notifications or applications required for your installation as standard.

We cover Dorset and Hampshire from our Christchurch base - get in touch and we'll confirm timing based on your location as part of your free survey.

Yes - a battery can charge from the grid during cheap off-peak periods and discharge during peak-rate hours, so you don't need solar panels to benefit from one.

Yes - we regularly retrofit batteries to existing solar installations, including systems not originally installed by us, to maximise self-consumption.

Some battery systems support backup power during an outage, depending on the model and how your system is configured - we'll talk you through the options during your survey.

We install a range of leading battery brands and will recommend the right one for your property, budget and usage patterns.

Yes - an energy diverter works alongside an existing solar PV system, redirecting surplus generation to your immersion heater. If you don't have solar yet, take a look at our Solar Panel Installation page.

The diverter monitors your solar generation in real time and redirects any surplus power straight to your immersion heater instead of exporting it to the grid, heating your hot water for free.

Yes - both myenergi eddi and the SolarEdge Hot Water Controller offer app-based monitoring so you can track your energy flow and savings in real time.

Most energy diverter installations are completed in a single visit by our qualified electricians, alongside your existing solar and immersion setup.

Most home installations need a dedicated parking space near your consumer unit. If you're not sure your property is suitable, we'll confirm during your free survey.

Renters and flat owners with private off-street parking, and households with only on-street parking, can qualify for OZEV's EV chargepoint grant - but not owners of a house with its own driveway. We'll talk you through what you're likely to qualify for as part of your quote - see our Grants page for full eligibility details.

Yes - if you already have solar panels or battery storage installed with us, we can design your EV charger setup to prioritise your own generation wherever possible.

Yes - our team regularly works on older wiring and consumer units alongside new-build electrics, and will flag anything that needs bringing up to current regulations during your visit.

Yes - we carry out Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) and general inspections to identify and resolve potential hazards, with a full written report.

Yes - we're NAPIT registered, so all our electrical work is certified to current UK wiring regulations.

No - every job is carried out by our own in-house team, never subcontracted labour.

Yes - consumer unit upgrades are one of our most common jobs, bringing older fuse boxes up to modern safety standards with RCD/RCBO protection.

Yes - we design systems from a single room up to whole-house, multi-zone setups,

Modern indoor units run very quietly, and outdoor units are positioned and sized during your survey to keep noise to a minimum for you and your neighbours.

Yes - our team is F-Gas REFCOM certified, which is a legal requirement for handling refrigerant during installation and servicing.