Solar Panel Installation Lightwater Surrey (GU18): With worries about the environment and rising energy costs, a lot more people in Lightwater are considering fitting solar panels - but just what are the advantages and disadvantages? There are Government grants and schemes to help reduce the outlay, and the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), which replaced the feed-in tariff scheme, can even deliver a small income from your solar panels.
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
The expression Solar Photovoltaic (solar PV) refers to the generation of electricity through the capture of the sun's energy. Decent results and energy production can be accomplished by photovoltaic panels installed on your Lightwater home. If you would like to reduce your current energy bills and are able to properly site a photovoltaic installation on your house, you will also be able to get money from your electricity supplier through the Smart Export Guarantee scheme.

The government backed Green Homes Grant is a recently introduced scheme to help householders save energy and lower their carbon footprint, and it can be used to offset the cost of a solar PV system. This provides vouchers of between five and ten thousand pounds for energy saving renovations on your house, and was revealed by the Government in July 2020. I'm sure you can see why lots of householders in Lightwater are now thinking that this is the best time to think seriously about installing solar panels.
SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMS
Solar thermal installations will enable you to reduce your heating bills using nothing but free power from the sun. Surprisingly enough, even the amount of sunlight that is available in the winter season is sufficient to help reduce the amount of electricity or gas necessary to bring your water up the right temperature. And in the summer months, just about all of your demands for hot water can be fulfilled by a solar thermal system which has been professionally installed on your property.

The RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive) scheme is also offered to any home owner in Lightwater using a photovoltaic thermal installation to heat up their water. After being successfully introduced to the commercial sector several years earlier, the RHI scheme was brought in for use in households on the 9th April 2014. For those switching to renewable methods of heating, including solar panel thermal installations, it offers 7 years of support. Eligible participants of the Renewable Heat Incentive get a quarterly cash payment, dependant upon the type and size of equipment installed, which lasts the whole 7 years covered by the scheme.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR SOLAR
If you think you're ready to fit solar panels on your property in Lightwater, you need to think about the following things:
- Is planning permission required for your property or area? - In the vast majority of situations you won't need to apply for planning permission on your Lightwater home for solar energy panels on the roof. Your local planning office will offer guidance and advice on planning permission requirements if your property have a flat roof, live in a conservation area or own a listed building.
- Does the roof of your property get full sun during the day, or is it partly shaded by trees or structures? - You need to have as much sunlight as possible for maximum effectiveness, and any shading will reduce the energy generated by your solar panels.
- Does the installation of solar panels on my property have an impact on its market value? - The straightforward, but not especially helpful response from the Homeowners Association is that solar panels can have both a negative and positive effect on the market value of your house. It's a hard decision to make, but in the majority of scenarios a solar panel installation boosts the market value of your home, because people in general are becoming more environmentally conscious about the impact they have on the world.
- Does your roof face in a southerly or south-westerly direction? - This helps optimise the effectiveness of the solar panels by absorbing the largest amount of sun possible.
SOLAR - THE BENEFITS
Reducing Your Carbon Footprint - To help lower your carbon footprint, the installation of either a solar thermal system or solar PV on your property in Lightwater will mean that you can generate green, renewable energy. You could prevent up to two tonnes of polluting carbon emissions each and every year by installing a solar PV and thermal hot water system on your Lightwater home.
Extra Income - Through the Government backed Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme, you can sell any unwanted electricity that you have created back to your energy provider. You can receive this payment as a quarterly cash transfer, or use it as a credit towards your power bill. The SEG (Smart Export Guarantee) is a Government backed, contract between the home owner and the electricity provider. The good thing about this is that you are never bound to any one electricity provider, so when the contract is up for renewal, it is easy to switch providers.
Low-Maintenance - There's hardly any maintenance necessary for solar panels in Lightwater. The panels that are available at the moment should last for a minimum of twenty five years and usually need nothing more than an annual clean. If your solar panel system uses batteries for storage, these must be upgraded every few years, however as technology is continuously improving, efficiency and battery life is getting better each year.
There's No Noise - You will experience no noise from a solar panel system. Some people are disturbed by the low frequency noises that can be made by wind generators, even in small scale domestic based setups. With solar panel installations in Lightwater there aren't any moving components and subsequently no noise is produced.
Reduced Bills - The largest available energy source is the sun. So, you should make the most of the opportunity! You'll start to notice a reduction in your monthly or quarterly energy charges, after the original outlay has been paid out on your solar panels. The level of these savings could be somewhere between £90 - £370 each year on your electricity bill, but that will of course depend on the number of solar energy panels you install.
FINDING A CERTIFIED INSTALLER

If solar panels have been installed on the homes of any of your friends, family or neighbours, you can ask them for recommendations and references. But, whatever happens be sure to get a minimum of three price quotes from nearby solar installers. Always enquire about current schemes and grants when you are obtaining the price quotes, as this can make your solar PV system even more affordable.
It's also important to see some evidence of work that has been done by any potential solar panel installer that you are considering. A good solar panel installer in Lightwater will be delighted to show off their experience in the green energy industry and their list of past customers, by providing a detailed portfolio for you to look through.
A professional solar installation company in Lightwater ought to have affiliation with or membership of at least one renewable energy association. These provide training, support and qualifications relating to all working practices, health & safety and equipment for all elements of solar, and sustainable energy sourced generation systems. A prerequisite before hiring any Lightwater solar panel installer, should be membership of one of these alternative energy organisations.
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme - Solar PV systems really should be put in by a MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) certified technician in Lightwater. The MCS scheme provides a standard of quality for the solar PV panels and related equipment, and that the engineers supplying and setting up the system are qualified and fully trained to do so. The MCS supports the following low-carbon technologies: solar battery storage, solar panels, air source heat pumps (ASHP's) and biomass heat generation.
STA (Solar Trade Association) - Provides cutting-edge technology solutions and training by working closely with industry, local authorities and Government, as well as leading figures in the solar and sustainable energy sector. From multi-national organisations to localised residential installers, its members are well regarded in the solar generation sector.
The Renewable Energy Association - In the clean technology and alternative energy sector, the Renewable Energy Association is the United Kingdom's premier professional trade body. Boasting approximately 550 members the REA is committed to working towards net-zero carbon emissions and offers a training program for its members.
Solar Panel Maintenance Lightwater
Solar panels are a great investment for your Lightwater property as they supply a stable source of clean energy. However, that money could be wasted if you fail to correctly maintain your system. Solar panel producers advise cleaning your panels a minimum of two times and a maximum of four times per year. The use of a monitoring system can help you identify if your panels are producing less energy than they should be. It could be the result of dirty panels caused by debris accumulation. Regular maintenance will make sure your panels are working at their optimal efficiency. Maintaining ground mounted solar panels is more straightforward than maintaining roof mounted ones. Heavy rain can pose a challenge for ground-mounted panels, resulting in bounce back and mud splashes, which will depend on the type of ground they are installed on. The panels must be inspected after snow, thunderstorms or hail to ensure they are in good condition.
Lightwater Solar Panel Tasks

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Solar Panels Near Lightwater
Also find: Frimley Green solar panel installers, Owlsmoor solar panel installers, Castle Green solar panel installers, Stonehill solar panel installers, Longcross solar panel installers, Burrowhill solar panel installers, Donkey Town solar panel installers, Mimbridge solar panel installers, Bisley solar panel installers, Deepcut solar panel installers, Brookwood solar panel installers, West End solar panel installer services and more.
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