Solar Panels Birmingham

Solar Panel Installation Birmingham West Midlands (B1): If you are considering reducing your hot water bills or generating electricity with a solar installation on your Birmingham home or business premises, what should you look for to get the best results out of it? There are Government schemes and grants to reduce the cost, and the SEG (Smart Export Guarantee), that replaced the 2010 feed-in tariff scheme in 2019, can even produce a small income from your solar panels.

The phrase Solar Photovoltaic (PV) refers to the generation of electricity by capturing solar energy. A high quality solar installation on your Birmingham property can get decent results and power generation, seeing as there is sufficient sunlight in the area to make this happen. An effectively sited solar installation can reduce your energy bills and maybe even produce a modest income by making use of the SEG scheme.

By accessing the government approved Green Homes Grant, you can even get help with your outlay on solar powered installation. Through this scheme, which the Government announced in 2020, if you're considering energy saving renovations to your house, you can make an application for up to ten thousand pounds in grants. I'm sure you can comprehend why lots of householders in Birmingham are thinking that now is the perfect time to look at installing solar panels.

No matter what the size of your household, the need for hot water is always expected. Surprisingly, even the hours of sunlight that are experienced during the winter season is enough to substantially reduce the level of electricity or gas that is needed to bring your water up the temperature that is required. And during the warmer months, just about all your hot water needs can be met by a solar thermal system that has been properly installed on your roof.

The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme is also available to any property owner in Birmingham who's using a photovoltaic thermal installation to warm up their water. Previously available only to business, the RHI was opened up for residential use in April 2014. If you decide to take up the RHI, the plan carries on for seven years and is endorsed by a government guarantee. If your house in Birmingham is eligible to sign up for the Renewable Heat Incentive, you'll get a cash payout every 3 months over the seven year period.

There are certain factors you will want to bear in mind before you begin any installation on your Birmingham home:

1. What effect on property values can solar panel installations cause? - The basic, but not particularly helpful advice from the Homeowners Association is that solar panels can have both a negative and positive effect on the value of your house. As consciousness grows regarding climate changes and the environment, it has been observed that the positive impacts on house prices have increased.
2. Will you need to have planning permission? - For most homes and properties in Birmingham, solar panels will be on the approved list of improvements that can be made. Only if your property is in a conservation area, is listed or if you've got a flat roof will you need to check out the constraints that may exist with your local planning office.
3. Is your roof affected by trees, buildings or other obstructions which throw shade on it? - Shade reduces the functionality of solar panels and significant shading can even make them more or less useless.
4. Does your roof face south or south-west? - This is the best direction from which to capture the maximum amount of sunlight with your solar PV.

Low Carbon Footprint - The creation of green, renewable energy is possible by installing either a solar thermal or solar PV system on your home in Birmingham. There are no pollutants, no damaging emissions and you can prevent around 2 tonnes of carbon from polluting the atmosphere annually.

Generate Income - Through the Government subsidised Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), you can sell any surplus electricity that you've created back to your utility provider. This could be applied as a credit towards your three monthly electric bill, or as cash paid directly to you. This is arranged as a short contract between you and your electricity provider. The short term contract is a benefit to home owners because it permits them to swap providers for the best tariffs whenever the contract comes to an end.

Noise Pollution - There is no noise associated with solar panels. Other renewable energy sources, like wind turbine generators, can make a noise which certain people find aggravating. Given that there are no moving parts in solar panels in Birmingham, there is no noise involved.

Reducing Bills - Our biggest available source of energy is the sun. So, you should make hay while the sun shines, as they say! Aside from the original expenditure to install your solar PV installation, there will be very few maintenance charges to concern yourself with, and you'll start to see a reduction in your electricity bills fairly quickly. How much this is will depend on the size of your installation, however even a typical sized solar energy system can give a saving of between ninety and three hundred and seventy pounds annually on your electric bill in the Birmingham area.

Maintenance - What makes solar panels in Birmingham even more appealing is the very little maintenance required over their life span. The solar panels require only a once yearly clean and should give good service for around 25 years. You may need to exchange the batteries if you are using battery storage, however these will become more efficient and longer lasting as the technology improves.

When undertaking any sort of home improvements, including solar panels, it is preferable to get at least three quotes from local installers. If any of your neighbours, friends and family have recently had solar panels fitted, ask who they recommend. You should enquire about available grants and schemes when you're obtaining the quotes, since this could make your solar panel installation more cost-effective and help to reduce the costs.

It's also crucial to see examples of projects that have been carried out by any potential solar company you're considering. For you to study their working standards and experience in the industry, any professional Birmingham business will have a photographic portfolio of installations and clients.

There are some professional organisations, trade bodies and associations that are specific to the renewable energy industry. Training, technological updates and advice on everything connected with the renewable energy marketplace, are provided by these specialist trade bodies. In relation to hiring a solar installation specialist in Birmingham, it's much better to give preference to a company which is a member of a professional trade body like:

REA (Renewable Energy Association) - The REA (Renewable Energy Association) is the UK's premier trade body for the clean technology and renewable energy sector. It's involved in a training program and influencing government policy towards net-zero carbon emissions, and currently has over 500 member contractors. The Renewable Energy Association (or REA) is a not-for-profit operation and amongst its members are: project developers, service providers, generators, fuel distributers, equipment manufacturers and installers. These range from massive multi-national companies down to sole traders.

The Solar Trade Association (STA) - The STA (Solar Trade Association) works along with local authorities, Government agencies and industry to deliver solar energy solutions throughout the country, and is consistently on the leading edge of green technology. It's a widely respected trade organisation in the solar generation sector and its members range from huge multi-national companies to small residential installers.

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme - Any installation of photovoltaic systems in Birmingham must be undertaken by a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) approved contractor. A company that is approved by the MCS, has a team of engineers who are trained and fully qualified, and supplies only top quality equipment. The Microgeneration Certification Scheme supports and champions the following sustainable technologies: ASHPs (air source heat pumps), solar panels, biomass heating systems and battery storage.

Solar panel providers can be found in the Birmingham area, as well as in: Bromford, Selly Oak, Ladywood, Small Heath, Edgbaston, Birchfield, Lea Hall, Aston, Druids Heath, Handsworth Wood, Bordesley Green, Highgate, plus places with postcodes like: B1 1SJ, B1 1RS, B1 1UF, B1 1HH, B1 2JS, B1 1UD, B1 1UH, B1 1TH, B1 1SE, B1 1RZ. A couple of pointers which indicate that a solar panel installer hails from the Birmingham area is if they've got the postcode B1 and the telephone code 0121. This could be something that you can confirm if you want to guarantee that you hire a locally based solar panel installer. Birmingham homeowners can access these renewable energy services at any time necessary.

Solar Panel Maintenance

By installing solar panels at your Birmingham property, you can reap the rewards of a steady source of renewable energy. But, don't forget a maintenance regime, to keep them in tip-top condition. Solar panel companies suggest cleaning your panels between two to four times a year. By using a monitoring system, you can see if your panels are producing less energy than usual. This could be because of debris or dirt build-up on your panels. Regular maintenance will guarantee your panels are performing at their most efficient level. Maintaining ground mounted solar panels is more straightforward than maintaining roof mounted ones. Ground-mounted panels are susceptible to problems during heavy rain, such as mud splashes and bounce-back, based on the type of ground they have been installed on. It is important to regularly inspect the panels during snowfall and after any thunderstorms or hail to check for damage.

Solar Inverters

A solar inverter is a crucial component in any solar panel system, as it converts DC electricity into AC. Your solar panel system's solar inverter changes the DC electricity produced by the panels into AC, allowing you to safely power your home and connect to the National Grid. The lack of a solar inverter in your system equates to an inability to power your home with solar energy in a secure manner.

The efficiency of a solar panel system is determined by its weakest link, making a top-quality inverter a vital aspect of your panel setup. With this, you can maximize the energy output from your solar panels. Four fundamental forms of solar inverters are available to accompany your solar panels: string inverters, hybrid inverters, power optimisers and micro-inverters. To make sure you're using the ideal solar inverter for your solar panel setup, you need to consult with a professional installer.

Solar Panel Batteries

If you want to store the energy that is produced by your solar power panels for later use, this can be achieved through the use of solar batteries. It can be used to power your home, appliances or phone. The capacity and size of your solar batteries will be based on your requirements. If you frequently use an air conditioner or refridgerator, for example, one battery may not be sufficient.

When purchasing a solar battery, you should also think about the DoD (Discharge Depth) of the battery. The higher the depth of discharge, the longer the battery will last. Degraded or over discharged batteries, will be less cost-effective, as they store less energy. The quantity of energy which is available to use depends on the capacity of your solar battery.

At night and when the sun's shining, the fully charged solar battery will be available to use for your energy needs. This will save you money on your energy bill. Cheap electricity will still be available, even on overcast and dark days when less power is being produced. Any excess energy can be sold back the your electricity provider, reducing your bills even further. When there is power cut or blackout, this is particularly handy. (Tags: Solar Panels & Batteries Birmingham, Solar Storage Birmingham, Solar Panel Battery Birmingham, Solar Panel Batteries Birmingham)

Are Solar Panels Worth the Investment?

Most of us have heard about solar energy and know it's a great thing for the environment, but many really don't know the reason. Like all other things, there are pros and there are cons, and you should know both before expending any cash.

It's a fact that having solar panels can greatly reduce one's energy expenditures, and this is one of the primary motivators for purchasers in Birmingham. A great benefit of making use of solar panels is that you can say so long to those cash-draining monthly power bills. But switching to solar is costly. You get to the stage of delighting in no cost power only as soon as you've recouped the big sum of money you have to spend upfront for the panels and installation, and this is achieved from the monthly savings, over a length of time (known as the payback period). Evidently, if you use hardly any energy then it'll take you a long time to get your money's worth, but if you use a lot of electricity then you are going to benefit faster. Some administrations provide motivators for utilizing solar energy, which can help towards the cost of setting up solar panels.

Many people today are concerned about reducing their carbon footprint, and solar energy scores well in this area. It's uncontaminated since there are no emissions or burning at all, unlike conventional fuels that pollute the air with a multitude of gases that are both detrimental to the environment and to our wellness. Basically, solar energy does not add to the problem of global warming and it doesn't contribute towards acid rain either. The energy buzz-words, renewable and sustainable, are applicable to solar energy since it will be available to us as long as the sun continues to shine.

Also, solar energy is quite discreet as it can be installed on the top of buildings, meaning it's not an eyesore unlike wind turbines; but, if you have solar panels on the ground, they can blight the landscape just like wind turbines, so it's crucial to think of their location and positioning. Of course, if direct sunlight cannot reach the panels, they would be useless, so they must be located correctly. In addition, solar panels don't make any noise and have no odor, so attract no attention in this manner.

Solar energy systems don't require a lot of maintenance, other than initial installation and they will last for years, which means you can set them up and leave them there for many, many years. Of the few troubles with solar, however, perhaps the worst is that they are not able to work at night. You can put in a battery or some sort of backup system to supply energy when there's no sunlight. Installation can cost some money, but your solar energy can keep them constantly charged free of charge.

You should most surely look into solar energy as an alternative energy source. It's clean and saves you cash in the long run, despite the fact that there are initial costs to have it set up. If high energy bills are a concern for you, and you aim to decrease your carbon footprint, solar energy offers a great solution.

Solar PV Upgrades Birmingham

The long-term efficiency and effectiveness of a solar power system depend on upgrading its solar PV components. As technology continues to advance, upgrading existing solar panels can improve their durability, increase their output and extend their lifespan. One of the most common upgrades is replacing older solar panels with newer, more efficient units. The overall footprint of the solar array decreases while the amount of electricity generated increases. Installing energy storage solutions, such as batteries, is another option for upgrades, allowing for excess energy to be stored and used during periods of low sunlight. By upgrading inverters or incorporating micro-inverters, the system's ability to convert energy efficiently can be enhanced. It is worth noting that solar PV upgrades are not only beneficial for residential and business users but also for utility-scale solar power plants as well. Upgrading can result in the maximisation of energy output, reduced maintenance costs and downtime, and an overall improvement in the energy grid's reliability.

Solar Panel Cleaning Birmingham

When you are installing solar photovoltaic panels in Birmingham, I would imagine that pretty much the last thing you'll be worrying about is how you are going to keep them clean and in good shape. You will however quickly understand that keeping them clean is crucial, since having grimy solar panels can prove costly by having a negative impact on their effectiveness. If you like to plan ahead, it's possible to install an automatic cleaning system for solar panels, and this is best done at the same time as your panels are installed, if you choose to go with this option.

Although the normal action of falling rain will keep your solar panels moderately clean, you will need to give them a thorough going over every once in awhile. Even though they may appear to be pretty clean from the ground, they'll have a thin coating of grime and grease that will undoubtedly have an adverse impact on the effectiveness of your panels. If, like the majority of folks in Birmingham, you do not install an automatic cleaning system, you'll have to organise a routine cleaning timetable for keeping your panels clean. Pressure washers (for example Karcher) can be used with a variety of helpful cleaning accessories, therefore it may be feasible for you to do your own solar panel cleaning. If you aren't in a position to do this, your could get in touch with a specialist solar panel cleaning service in Birmingham, or perhaps speak to your neighbourhood window cleaner. (Tags: Solar Panel Cleaning Birmingham)

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Solar Panels Near Birmingham

Also find: Aston solar panel installers, Edgbaston solar panel installers, Druids Heath solar panel installers, Ladywood solar panel installers, Highgate solar panel installers, Selly Oak solar panel installers, Small Heath solar panel installers, Handsworth Wood solar panel installers, Bromford solar panel installers, Birchfield solar panel installers, Lea Hall solar panel installers, Bordesley Green solar panel installer services and more. All these villages and towns are covered by companies who install solar panels. Birmingham home and business owners can get solar installation estimates by clicking here.

More Birmingham Services

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Birmingham Solar Panel Tasks

Your chosen local Birmingham solar panel installers will be happy to assist you with a range of renewable energy services including things like electric vehicle charging points Birmingham, renewable heating solutions, green energy solutions, solar thermal installations, domestic solar panel installations Birmingham, wind turbines, the repair of solar panels, solar panels for garages, solar panels for shed, smart home technology in Birmingham, energy assessments, solar panel mounting Birmingham, solar panels for greenhouses, solar battery storage, solar hot water system installation, solar panel bird proofing Birmingham, biomass boiler installation, 100w solar panels Birmingham, renewable energy solutions, air source heat pumps, solar PV inverters, solar panel suitability assessments Birmingham, the mounting of solar panels, the maintenance of solar panels Birmingham, the replacement of solar panels, ground mounted solar panels, 400 watt solar panels Birmingham, solar PV panel installations Birmingham, solar thermal heating, commercial solar panel installations, solar system safety checks, solar photovoltaic energy systems Birmingham, electric heating, 300 watt solar panels Birmingham, solar thermal energy solutions in Birmingham, and other solar related services in Birmingham, West Midlands (B1). These are just a handful of the activities that are accomplished by those specialising in solar panels. Birmingham contractors will be happy to tell you about their whole range of services.

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