HOW TO FIND BEST SOLAR PANEL INSTALLERS NEAR YOU

So, you’ve decided to have solar panels installed on your property? Great! You’ve made the first major step in seeking a cost-effective, renewable solution to your energy requirements, but the question remains; who should you choose to install your solar panels? Ensuring you make the right decision here is imperative, with reputation, accreditation and consumer protection and aftercare all important considerations for you as a consumer. Fortunately, we’ve comprised a thorough guide to sourcing reliable solar panel installers in your area, to provide you with the best possible installation for your solar panel system.

FINDING A SOLAR PANEL INSTALLER

When sourcing a reliable solar panel installer for your solar panel system, there are a number of important factors you will need to keep in mind to ensure you’re receiving the best possible service at a reasonable price. Below, we take a look at the essential factors one must focus on to source the best possible solar panel installer.

SEEK ACCREDITATION

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme, (MCS), is just one of several regulatory bodies operating across the UK specifically designed to provide certification and accreditation to solar photovoltaic systems installers. Sourcing a reliable solar panel installer who has received full MCS accreditation is imperative, not just in terms of ensuring your chosen green energy company has a proven quality installation, but also to gain access to the government’s feed-in tariff payments, which will allow you to send back unused energy to the National Grid in exchange for profit. However, please note that the government’s feed-in tariff plan has now been replaced with the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme as of January 1st 2020, which equally offers owners payment for their excess solar electricity.

It’s important that your solar panel installer has received MCS accreditation as a minimum, but as suggested, there are several types of certification and accreditation a solar panel installer may receive and it’s always a smart idea to choose a company that has been accredited by multiple sources. A proven solar installer will likely be registered with the Renewable Energy Assurance Limited, (REAL), the Solar Trade Association, (STA), or the Renewable Energy Consumer Code, (RECC). Accreditation provides your customers with the knowledge and reassurance that you are a proven, established and certified company that can be trusted to carry out the necessary installation in a safe and efficient manner.

RESEARCH & REFERENCES

As suggested, carrying out detailed research into solar panel installers is important to provide yourself with the best possible installation, so you should always begin your search with one eye on accreditation, particularly MCS. When you’ve narrowed down some options in the local area, research these even further; check customer reviews, testimonials and how long your company has been in operation.

Once you’ve researched enough companies to narrow it down further, ask for a quote from at least three of your chosen companies to provide you with a rough estimate for the cost of installation. This will provide you with a ballpark figure that you can compare with different providers, whilst also offering you a closer look at the ethos, character and sales tactics of each individual company. After all, the consumer code for selling solar products suggests that they are not encouraged to use high-pressure sales tactics, offer on the spot discounts or pressure you into a decision you wouldn’t necessarily make. If you’ve found a company with a lower price, but it’s one that makes you feel particularly uncomfortable, it’s probably best to keep your distance.



SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION COST

Thanks to significant advancements in technology used across solar panel systems over the last decade, the cost of solar panel installation has shrunk dramatically since its earliest incarnation. Prices will noticeably vary depending on the size of the system, the number of panels, roof inclination and proximity to shade, but in general terms, the initial cost is often outweighed by the long-term savings. Let’s take a closer look at solar panel prices, installation and labour costs.

Solar Panel installation doesn’t necessarily come cheap, but it can help you save money further down the line. In fact; it’s estimated that a single solar panel will cost you anywhere between £350-£500, which, when you consider you’ll need to cover a large part of your roofing, is a figure that could escalate extremely quickly. Whilst there is no specific price cap placed on the cost of solar panel installation, it will typically depend on the following factors:

●     System size; including the number of panels

●     Type of solar panels

●     Building type

●     Quality of inverter & other components

At GE National, we offer a wide range of solar panel installation packages to suit your specific requirements. With a 12-year warranty and 25-year performance guarantee, we’re proud to provide a superior aftercare service for all our solar panel systems. Below are just some of the most popular packages we offer: 

Generally speaking, the greater the quantity of electricity generated by your solar panel system, the more significant the initial installation cost will be, but, so too will the savings in the long-term. As the above table suggests, a 3kW panel system will cost marginally less to install, but the long-term savings after 25 years are considerably less than a 5kW panel solution. Below are some of the key factors that may influence the cost of your solar panel installation.

SYSTEM SIZE

As suggested, the size of your solar panel system will impact the initial installation cost, with a larger 5kW system costing noticeably more at the outset than the 3kW equivalent. However, as discussed, a larger system will reap the rewards faster, with greater annual savings and significantly larger savings after a 25 year period meaning you’ll recover costs much quicker.

PANEL TYPE

Currently, there are three primary types of solar panels used in domestic settings across the UK; monocrystalline, polycrystalline and hybrid/thin-film solar panels. Monocrystalline panels are the most effective solution, due to their high-efficiency levels, but will come at a greater premium. Polycrystalline is arguably the most popular choice, with a much more affordable asking price and decent efficiency levels, with a rate of between 13-16%.



INSTALLATION PROCESS

The cost of installing your solar panel system will be heavily influenced by the ease of installation itself. Many homes or properties have accessibility issues, meaning scaffolding will need to be put up before installation can occur, which will influence the cost. You will also need to take into account the number of solar panels, the angling of the panels and the strength of the roof. The more panels that need installing, the greater the initial cost. The quoted price for your solar panel installation will typically include labour costs, which average around £300-£500 for an individual per day, though you will often require two installers for larger systems.

SOLAR BATTERY SYSTEM

Should you choose to inaugurate a solar battery system as part of your solar panel installation, this will no doubt increase the overall initial cost but will ensure you make the most of your solar energy even when the sun goes down. Solar batteries average between £1500 and £6000, depending on the size, type and quality. Solar batteries are highly beneficial in reducing your reliance on grid electricity, helping you to store the energy you have already accumulated from your solar panel installation.

GE NATIONAL SOLAR PANEL SYSTEMS – GENERATE YOUR OWN ELECTRICITY

At GE National, we can install solar panels anywhere across the UK, offering bespoke packages including EV chargers and battery storage systems. Able to travel to your location and conduct a full site survey for free, we’ll confirm the best place to put your new panels along with our recommendations for any additional energy storage. Once you give us the go-ahead, we’ll take care of everything and you won’t pay a penny until we’re done.

With up to 12 years of warranty on our services and products with no deposit required, GE National is the answer for all your solar panel services. For more information and a free no-obligation quote on a new set of solar panels, contact us today.