Solar Panel Installers

Residential Solar Panels

R&B can design, install and maintain your solar panel system. We are MCS & RECC registered to undertake all solar panel installation and maintenance, and our design and solar panel installation engineers have over a decade of experience installing solar PV systems for commercial and residential customers. Solar PV systems are certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) as an approved technology. This means as an MCS Certified installer we can install MCS Certified Solar PV Panels and assist consumers with any available grant or export schemes.

Are solar panels still worth it?

Solar panels have a number of benefits – some are fairly obvious, but there are others you may not have considered:

Lower energy bills. Producing your own electricity to power your home and your vehicles means you can reduce the amount you take from the grid – which right now is extremely costly. To maximise savings, you will need to invest in a solar battery as well.

Get paid for any electricity you generate but do not use. You can get financial incentives from the UK Government under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), which pays homeowners for excess electricity they generate and feed back to the grid.

Solar power is clean and green. You will be producing electricity without emitting harmful greenhouse gases, helping to lower your carbon footprint and that of the UK.

Low maintenance. Solar panels have few moving parts, so they require little maintenance. Routine cleaning and checking are usually enough to keep your system running efficiently.

They could increase your property value. Homes with solar panels can sell for more than those without, as potential buyers are attracted by the savings and eco-friendliness. It can be argued, however, that the increase in property value does not outweigh the cost of installation.

There are many benefits to investing in solar panels, but it does need to be a considered decision. Check the financial numbers before investing in solar to make sure you can recover the cost of getting them installed.

How much do solar panels cost?

As of April 2024, the cost of solar panels in the UK typically range from £5,000 to £13,000, including supply and installation, depending on the size of the system along with other factors.
One of the most common domestic sizes is a 4kW solar panel system, which costs around £9,000 –£10,000 (incl. supply and installation) and will cover around sixteen square metres of your roof. If you opt for solar panels with a larger than average kW size, for example 12kW, costs can go up to £17,000.
The system you require will vary based on your energy consumption. Typically, smaller homes consume an average of 1,800kWh, whilst medium sized homes consume approximately 2,700kWh, and large homes usually 4,100kWh or more.

Do Solar Panels Save Money?

Whether you are looking to save on your electricity bills, generate your own energy, reduce your carbon footprint, or all of the above, there are many things to consider when getting solar panels installed.

Are solar panels a good investment?

As the price of energy has rocketed, generating solar energy and using it yourself can mean big savings. Under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme, which launched in January 2020, households in Great Britain can get paid for the solar energy they ‘export’. This is electricity you generate, but do not consume yourself, which is then pumped back into the National Grid. The previous feed-in tariff (FIT) scheme, which closed to new applications in March 2019, was far more generous, as you could get paid for generating solar electricity, even if you used it yourself.

What is the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)?

The SEG launched on 1 January 2020 and is a government-backed initiative. The SEG requires some electricity suppliers, known as SEG Licensees, to pay small-scale generators, known as SEG Generators, for low-carbon electricity which they export back to the National Grid, providing certain criteria are met.

However, if you have got savings you can use to pay for the panels, it is worth doing the numbers for yourself as the SEG scheme can work out well for some people.

How much money do solar panels save?

The biggest gain comes from using what you generate – you could save up to £360 a year on your bills

Primarily, you can use the electricity your panels generate, and so reduce your bills. Savings depend on system size, electricity use, whether you are at home during the day to use the energy you are producing and other factors.

But based on current estimates, a typical household with a 3.5 kilowatt-peak system can knock between £135 and £360 a year off their bills at the current Energy Price Cap rates.

You could get paid £370 a year for any excess energy you generate, but SEG tariffs differ widely, although you are free to switch between them.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme works by requiring energy suppliers with 150,000+ customers to offer ‘tariffs’ to households in England, Scotland and Wales, which pay a set rate for each kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity you generate from solar panels, but do not use yourself.

Crucially, the amount you get back depends on the company and ranges from just 1p per kWh to 40p per kWh  – so ensure you go for the highest paying tariff you can.

It is estimated that a typical household based in the middle of the country could make between £220 and £320 a year based on a rate of 12p per kWh.

Do I need a smart meter for solar panels?

To get a SEG tariff, you will need a smart meter that is capable of tracking how much solar electricity you are exporting to the grid.

To qualify to receive payments from energy suppliers through the Smart Export Guarantee, you will need:

• Solar panels with a capacity of five megawatts or less.
• Solar panels that are certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)
• A meter that can track how much solar electricity you export and send this automatically to your supplier every half hour.

Unfortunately, if you have solar thermal panels, you cannot get the Smart Export Guarantee. Solar thermal, which allows you to heat water and can cut down heating bills, is not covered.

What is the pay back time for home solar panels?

The price of a typical 3.5 kilowatt-peak PV solar panel system is about £7,000 – £10,000. Based on current figures, it could take someone living in the middle of the country, in a typical home, anywhere between 12 and 17 years to recoup the costs of installing solar panels, based on the current Energy Price Cap rates. This depends on how much electricity you use and when you use it, and what you are paid under the Smart Export Guarantee.

larger systems are more expensive, but they can generate more electricity and, therefore, can bring you more savings overall. A 6kW solar panel system can break even after 12 years, while a 3kW system can take up to 17 years depending on your electricity consumption.

You can cut down on your electricity bills with the use of solar panels. The electricity that you use when your panels are active is entirely free, and it can result in annual savings of £440 – £1,005, as of April 2024. Of course, the specifications of each household are necessary to be precise in the estimation.

How many solar panels do I need?

Solar panel system size directly correlates to your home’s electricity usage. Small, low-consumption homes might only need 3-6 panels, while larger homes on the other end of the spectrum could require at least 14 panels.That said, the number of solar panels you require will also depend on factors such as:

• Roof Size: The number of panels you can install is limited by the available space on your roof.
• Panel Efficiency: Higher efficiency panels require fewer panels to meet your energy needs.
• Sun Exposure: Less sunlight (due to climate or shading) means needing more panels to generate enough power. Some locations may not be ideal for solar.
• Budget: The cost of panels will influence how many you can install.

Is my roof suitable for solar panels?

• South-facing roofs capture the most sunlight, but east or west can still generate power throughout the day. However, north-facing roofs receive minimal direct sunlight and are not ideal for maximum solar energy production.
• Avoid shading, especially between 10am and 4pm when sunlight is strongest. Some early morning or late afternoon shade is acceptable but avoid obstructions during peak sun hours.
• You need a fair bit of space. Solar panels typically take up two square metres each, so the size of your roof matters.
• Ensure your roof is in good condition through a professional inspection. Address any damage or consider replacing old tiles before solar panel installation.
• Pitched roofs are ideal for optimal sun exposure. Flat roof installations may require additional tilting structures, increasing the cost.

Do I need planning permission for solar panels on my house?

You generally will not need planning permission. In England and Wales, the Government’s Planning Portal says that panels are likely to be considered as ‘permitted development’ – meaning you do not usually need to apply for planning permission. The big exceptions are if your property is listed or is in a conservation area. In these cases, you might need to get approval from your council’s building control team, so check with your local authority. Since December 2023, homes with flat roofs are also able to install panels without planning permission.

If you are likely to move home in the next decade, installing solar panels probably does not add up.

As it typically takes about 14 years to recoup your installation costs, if you are considering moving, solar panels are probably not worth it.

How long do solar panels last?

Solar panels have a life span of around 25 years or more, but this can vary depending on what they are made from and when they were installed. Some of the latest models of solar panels we are installing today could have a useful life of 40 years or more. Either way, their efficiency will begin to slowly decline after around 20 to 25 years.

Solar Panel Batteries

Solar batteries can add costs but may be worth it for those who use a substantial amount of electricity

A solar battery can store any excess power generated by your solar panels that you do not use at the time, rather than exporting it back to the grid.

The savings you make on your bills can be significant, though. The price you are paid for each unit of energy you export to the grid is usually much lower than the price you pay your supplier for electricity. So, economically, it makes more sense to store the solar energy and use it yourself.

Ask us about our solar panel battery installation services.

Do solar panels require servicing?

Solar panels are generally low maintenance.

Little maintenance is required on a professionally installed, well-designed solar PV system, though you will likely need to replace the inverter – a gadget that is a key part of the mechanism – within about 10 years (costing around £800).

Ask us about our solar panel inverter replacement service.

Of course, things can go wrong. We can supply you with a warranty – it can cover you for up to 20 years. If the panels are damaged by something unexpected, such as a storm, you may also be covered by buildings insurance – check with your insurer before you have them installed.

Solar panel installation

R&B Mechanical and Electrical Ltd are M&E Contractors, NICEIC Approved Electricians, Gas Safe registered Heating Engineers and Green Energy Contractors. We are contractors for all industrial, commercial and residential installations, testing and maintenance services. We are a certified solar panel installation company through the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC). We are also OZEV Approved installers of all types of electric vehicle charging points for homes and businesses. We are based in Keighley, West Yorkshire, and supply our services throughout the north of England and the wider UK.

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