Solar Panels Otford

Otford Solar Panel Installation

Solar Panel Installation Otford Kent (TN14): The installation of solar energy panels is in the forefront of many householder's thoughts right now, what with ever rising energy costs and fears for the environment, it's not really surprising - however what are the pluses and minuses of fitting solar panels to your home in Otford? There are Government schemes and grants to help reduce the costs involved, and the Smart Export Guarantee, that replaced the earlier feed-in tariff scheme in 2019, can even produce a small income from your solar panel installation.

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SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS

The production of electricity by capturing the energy from the sun has the technical term "solar photovoltaic". It is possible to achieve fantastic results from an installation on your property, as there's enough sunlight in Otford for solar PV to function effectively. In this way you'll be able to lower your power bills, and perhaps even get some a refund through the SEG (Smart Export Guarantee scheme), by selling your excess electricity back to the utility company.

Solar Panel Installer Otford Kent (TN14)

To help homeowners in Otford to reduce their carbon footprint and save energy, they can access the Green Homes Grant to reduce any expenditure on a solar powered installation. You are able to submit an application for this grant, which was announced in July 2020, of between £5,000 - £10,000 if you're applying certain green energy improvements to your house. You have the ideal opportunity at this time, by using the SEG and the Green Home Grant, to install solar panels on your Otford property, for a fraction of the cost, and also receive a small quarterly payment from it.

SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMS

Regardless of what size your house is, the demand for instant hot water is always there. Even with the diminished quantity of sunlight that you get in Otford in the winter, you'll need to use less gas or electricity to get your water up to the temperature required, and thus reduce your costs. In the summer season it's even entirely possible to have all of your hot water requirements fulfilled with nothing but a solar powered thermal system fitted.

Otford Solar Panel Installers

The RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive) scheme is also offered to any home owner in Otford who is using a photovoltaic thermal installation to heat up their water. The Renewable Heat Incentive was released for domestic use in 2014, after being formerly only available to the business sector. For anyone changing to renewable heating methods, including solar powered thermal systems, it provides a seven year support package. All qualified members of the Renewable Heat Incentive will receive a quarterly cash pay out for the duration of this scheme.

SOLAR CONSIDERATIONS

Before begin the installation of solar energy panels onto the roof of your house in Otford, there are a number of things that have to be looked at, namely:

  1. Will you need to have planning permission? - In the majority of situations you'll not need planning permission on your Otford home for solar PV panels on the roof. But if you have a flat roof, reside in a conservation area or have a listed building, you will have to double-check with the local council of any constraints that may exist.
  2. Does your roof have any tall buildings or overgrown trees close by that throw shade on it? - Any amount of shade on your solar panels will reduce their efficiency and may even render them largely ineffectual.
  3. Do solar panels on my property directly impact on its market value? - The basic, but not especially helpful advice from the Homeowners Association is that solar energy installations can have both a negative and positive impact on the market value of your house. Recent research however indicates, that owing to the growing awareness in environmental concerns, solar panel installations are having more positive impacts on property prices than in the past.
  4. Does your roof face in a southerly or south-westerly direction? - This helps maximise the efficiency of the solar PV by absorbing the largest amount of sunlight possible.
Solar Panel Installer Quotes in Otford

THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR

Maintenance Free - Solar power installations in Otford require very little maintenance. Aside from the odd clean, the panels can be left to their own devices and should continue to work for at least 25 years. If you go for battery storage these will need to be replaced over time, however battery technology is continuously advancing and they are becoming more efficient and longer lasting every year.

Extra Income - Any excess power your solar panel installation produces can easily be sold back to your supplier via the Smart Export Guarantee, Government funded scheme. The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme offers quarterly payments straight into your bank account, or can be applied as credit towards your energy bills. This Government backed scheme is a short term contract between the house owner and their utility supplier. By providing short contracts within the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), it gives customers the ability to change providers and tariffs for cheaper deals at the conclusion of their contractual obligation.

Noise Pollution - Solar panels and the related equipment is a silent technology. That is not always the case with some green energy sources. Wind generators for instance can annoy and irritate property owners with the noise they make. Solar panel installations do not have any moving components - therefore they don't make any noise.

Reducing Bills - The free energy created by the sun will never run out. So why not capture that free energy in your house? As soon as you have invested in your solar installation you'll discover that your energy bills will be lower. Homeowners in Otford could save up to 370 pounds a year on their electricity bill (in 2020), with a standard sized solar panel installation.

Reducing Your Carbon Footprint - To help lessen your carbon footprint, the installation of either a solar thermal or solar PV system on your property in Otford will mean that you can produce green, renewable energy. You could save up to 2 tonnes of carbon emissions annually through the installation of a thermal hot water system and solar PV on your home.

FINDING A QUALIFIED SOLAR PANEL INSTALLER

Solar Panel Installers Near Otford Kent

Always obtain at least three price quotes from different providers in Otford and do not be afraid to ask neighbours, family or friends for advice if they've had a solar installation on their house. To reduce the initial outlay for purchasing and installing your solar PV system, you should enquire about grants available in the Otford area for green energy schemes, whilst you are gathering your quotes.

The surveyor will also provide a way to see recent solar panel installations on similar houses for you to examine; either via a web page or through a catalogue. To showcase the quality of their workmanship on all types of homes, a professional and proficient solar installation firm in Otford will have an in-depth photographic portfolio.

Several professional associations, organisations and bodies work in unison with the sustainable energy industry which is a fast growing and ever-changing business. For every aspect of solar, and other alternative energy sourced generating systems, these associations provide training, support and qualifications on all working practices, health & safety and equipment. When picking out your solar installation company in Otford, look for membership of one of these professional bodies in the sustainable and green energy sector.

STA - Constantly at the spearhead of renewable technology, the Solar Trade Association works with industry, local councils and Government agencies to offer solar solutions across the country. Well respected by the solar generation sector, the STA has a membership ranging from multi-national organisations to localised residential installers.

The Renewable Energy Association - The premier trade organisation which represents the renewable energy and clean technology sector in the UK is the REA. It has a commitment to building net-zero carbon emissions by providing training and education to more than 500 member companies, and applying its powers to influence governmental policy towards alternative energy solutions. The Renewable Energy Association (REA) is a non-profit operation and its members include: equipment manufacturers, project developers, energy generators, installers, fuel distributers and service providers. These can be anything from huge multi-national companies down to the humblest sole traders.

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) - Photovoltaic installations in Otford must only be undertaken by Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified companies. The scheme offers a standard of quality for the photovoltaic panels and associated equipment, and that the company supplying and installing the system are fully trained and qualified to do so. The MCS supports and encourages the following sustainable technologies: solar battery storage, solar photovoltaic panels, air source heat pumps (ASHP's) and biomass.

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Solar Inverters

A solar inverter is the device that enables you to use the DC electricity produced by your solar panels by converting it into AC. AC is the type of electricity needed to power your home and connect to the National Grid, and a solar inverter is what converts DC electricity into AC. Essentially, the absence of a solar inverter means you can't securely harness your solar power to run your home.

Your solar panel system's efficiency is determined by the weakest component, and this is why a high-quality inverter is an essential part of your panel setup. It optimizes the energy generated from your solar panels. Your solar panels have four options for solar inverters; power optimisers, hybrid inverters, micro-inverters and string inverters. To determine the optimal solar inverter for your specific solar panel system, you must consult with a professional installer.

Ground Source Heating Systems

In Otford, homes and buildings can be heated using ground source heating systems, also referred to as geothermal heating systems, which use the consistent earth temperature as a heat source. The elimination of the need to burn fossil fuels and the reduction of carbon emissions make this renewable source of energy environmentally friendly and highly efficient.

Ground Source Heating Systems Otford

Circulating a antifreeze and water mixture through pipes that are buried deep underground is how a ground source heating system captures heat from the earth and transports it to a heat pump. By amplifying the heat, the heat pump directs it around the building.

Although ground source heating systems have a higher initial cost than conventional heating systems, they can save home and business owners money in the long term through lower maintenance costs and reduced energy bills. These heating systems are an excellent choice for those looking for a sustainable and long-term heating solution as they are highly durable and can last for years if not decades.

A further benefit of geothermal heating systems is their ability to cool buildings in the summertime by reversing the heating process, providing both heating and cooling. For those looking to reduce their carbon footprint and increase energy efficiency, governments can offer financial incentives, such as tax credits and rebates, to make ground source heating systems a more affordable and accessible option. All in all, geothermal or ground source heating systems are a sustainable and eco-friendly solution for cooling and heating homes and buildings in Otford, with long-term cost savings and durability.

Solar Panel Batteries

If you want to store the energy which is produced by your solar PV panels for use later, this can be achieved with solar batteries. This can be used to power your appliances, home or phone. The size and capacity of your solar batteries will depend upon your requirements. For example, if you often use air conditioning or the fridge, one battery isn't enough.

Solar Battery Storage

When shopping for solar batteries, you should also look at the DoD (Depth of Discharge) of the battery. Higher depth of discharge means a longer-lasting battery. The least cost-efficient batteries are those that are degraded or over discharged, because less power is stored. The quantity of energy that is available to use depends on the capacity of your batteries.

The battery can be charged to be used in the evening or during times when the sun is not out. This means you will still be saving money even when your solar PV panels are not actually creating energy. Free electricity will still be available, even on cloudy and dark days when less power is being produced. You can also get payments back from the electricity company for the energy that you don't use.

Are Solar Panels Worth Investing In?

We're probably all aware that making use of solar energy can help battle global warming, even if we don't actually know how. Like all things, there are pluses and there are disadvantages, and you should be aware of both before expending any cash.

The longer term savings promises are probably the strongest attraction for folks in Otford getting solar panels. Drawing your power needs from a solar installation right away begins to save you money through not having to pay for electricity. The disadvantage, however, is that the cost of changing over to solar can be quite costly. You get to the stage of enjoying free power only the moment you've recuperated the large sum of cash you have to spend upfront for the panels and installation, and this is achieved from the monthly savings, over some time (called payback period). Evidently, if you use hardly any energy then it'll take you a long time to recover your initial outlay, but if you utilize a lot of electricity then you can expect to benefit a lot faster. You could be lucky and get assistance with the upfront cost from an unexpected source, as your government might extend a motivator for you to install solar panels.

Solar Panel Prices Otford

Numerous people now are interested in lowering their carbon footprint, and solar energy scores handsomely in this regard. Solar energy generation does not involve any combustion or emissions, unlike traditional fuel sources, which is the reason it's called "clean" - the direct advantage being that it does no damage to the environment and our health. Global warming and acid rain are two leading environmental worries, and solar energy doesn't add to these at all. The energy buzz-words, renewable and sustainable, are relevant to solar energy since it will be available to us as long as the sun keeps shining.

Solar panels, which are the "locomotive engines" of solar energy, are in essence flat and if set on rooftops are not conspicuous - if you put them on the ground, though, they can be as tough on the eye as wind turbines, something to be regarded when deciding on their location. Obviously, to produce energy expeditiously, the panel should be situated in direct sun. The solar panels do not give off any noise or scent, which adds to their ability to blend subtly with their surrounding.

Still one more great thing about solar systems is that as soon as they're installed, you can basically leave them, since they need no maintenance. There are issues with solar energy, one of the biggest being they are unable produce energy when it's dark. No sunshine doesn't mean no energy though, since a back-up system such as a battery may be installed. The only cost here is for installing them, as they are going to be recharged at no cost to you with solar energy.

All in all solar energy is definitely worth checking out. It's clean and saves you money in the long run, even if there are initial costs to have it set up. Solar energy by all odds appears to be a great way to go if you want to look after the environment and likewise save money on energy.

Solar Panels Near Otford

Also find: Romney Street solar panel installers, Dunton Green solar panel installers, Twitton solar panel installers, Knockholt solar panel installers, Shoreham solar panel installers, Heaverham solar panel installers, Badgers Mount solar panel installers, Kemsing solar panel installers, Cotman's Ash solar panel installers, Chelsfield solar panel installers, Sundridge solar panel installers, Noah's Ark solar panel installers, Well Hill solar panel installers and more.

Otford Solar Panel Tasks

Otford Solar Panel Tasks

Your local solar panel installer can undertake a whole range of tasks and services including the replacement of solar panels, renewable energy solutions, solar panel relocation, solar panels for garages in Otford, commercial solar panel installations, shower heat recovery, 100w solar panels Otford, ground mounted solar PV Otford, solar energy installations, ground source heating systems, solar panel installations in Otford, solar PV for businesses, green energy solutions, solar panel maintenance Otford, solar PV upgrades, solar PV panel installation in Otford, renewable heat installations Otford, renewable heating in Otford, energy need assessments, solar energy grants, residential solar panel installations, solar panel repairs, electric heating, alternative energy solutions, solar photovoltaic energy systems, house solar panels, solar panel systems, smart home technology, wind turbines, the repair of solar panels, energy storage systems in Otford, sustainable energy solutions, solar panel cleaning, solar water heating systems Otford, air source heat pumps, and others. This is by no means an extensive list of what is on offer from the local solar panel installer. Otford professionals who are operating in the local area will will be glad to tell you about the entire range of renewable energy services which are offered.

More Otford Services

Whilst you may be looking for a professional who is able to do solar panel installation in Otford, Kent, you could additionally find renewable energy in Otford, gutter cleaning in Otford, a scaffolder in Otford, solar hot water in Otford, SKIP HIRE in Otford, hot water tank installation in Otford, boiler servicing in Otford, heat pumps in Otford, plumbers in Otford, roofers in Otford, solar panel repairs in Otford, solar thermal heating in Otford, solar panel cleaning in Otford, underfloor heating in Otford, green energy in Otford, solar panel replacement in Otford, solar panel maintenance in Otford.

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(This solar panels Otford article was checked and updated on 13-12-2023)