Solar Panels

Time to get electricity freedom.

Invest in solar panels to protect your bills from energy price increases.


Solar panels offer a sustainable and cost-effective way to generate electricity, with environmental, economic, and social benefits for individuals, businesses, and the planet as a whole.


Solar panels harness energy from the sun, which is an abundant and renewable resource. This helps reduce dependence on finite fossil fuels and contributes to a sustainable energy future. By generating your own electricity, you can significantly reduce or even eliminate your reliance on grid power, leading to lower electricity bills over time.



How it works

Panels

Your solar panels will collect daylight and turn it in to usable power in the form of DC electricity. The panels on your roof will generate electricity even on cloudy days.

Inverter

An inverter then turns that DC electricity in to AC power to use in your home. Inverters typically get placed in your garage or utility room near your fuse board and are typically about the size of an A4 sheet of paper

Meter

The electricity is then fed through a meter and into your home’s consumer unit or fuse board where it then powers your home through your sockets and lights.

Storing or Selling?

Any power your home doesn’t use can be stored in an electrical energy storage system or can be sold back to the National Grid for others to use. Solar battery systems can also be used for buying cheap off-peak electricity at night for use during the day.


Common Questions

See some frequently asked questions and answers below.

  • How many Solar Panels do I need to run my Home?

    It depends on how much electricity you use. In recent years many homes have had a 16-panel 4kWp system installed. However, this size was a result of the Government funding available at the time (The Feed-in Tariff). Solar panel technology has improved since then and a system with around 12 panels can create the same output.


    The best advice may be to maximise the size of the installation according to the available roof space. However our approach carefully considers 12 months of electricity bills and we then advise accordingly. For homes with families, we often install systems of between 5 and 9 kWp – up to 30 panels.


  • Is there any funding for Solar Panels?

    Yes, there is funding available for solar panels through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme. The ECO is a domestic energy efficiency funding programme initiated by the government and delivered through the Green Levy by energy companies, including local companies like Building for Humanity.


    The ECO grants are designed to support low-income households, reduce fuel poverty, and enhance energy efficiency in communities. Since its introduction in 2013, over £775 million has been invested in energy efficiency schemes across the UK. The current phase, ECO4, is set to run from April 2022 to March 2026, with £1 billion per year worth of funding available.


    At AlphaOne Electrics Ltd, we work closely with a company called Building for Humanity, a reputable organisation in Cornwall dedicated to energy efficiency initiatives. Through ECO4, they collaborate with homeowners, local authorities, and private landlords to carry out whole-house retrofits. Installing tailored package of upgrades into customers' homes to significantly increase the energy efficiency of their properties.


    To find out if you are eligible for funding and to learn more about the application process, please get in touch with Building for Humanity. You can reach them at [Building for Humanity](https://buildingforhumanity.org.uk/). They will guide you through the process and help you access the available funding for solar panels and other energy efficiency measures.


  • Do you really save money with solar panels?

    Yes…particularly if you use a large proportion of the energy created from solar powers as it is generated. It helps to try to match domestic activities with high-energy consumption during daylight hours, for example using a washing machine, dryer or cooking. This will reduce your need to use the grid and lower your bills.


    Opting for a battery within your system can help store energy created during the day to use at night.


  • Do solar panels work at night?

    No.

    Solar panels generate energy using the light from the sun. However, including a battery in your system will allow you to use the energy generated throughout the day during night-time hours.


  • How often should solar panels be cleaned?

    As long as solar panels are tilted at a reasonable angle, then the rain will tend to keep them clean. Most pitched roofs in the UK are more than 30 degrees and this is sufficient for keeping panels clean.


    If you happen to live in an area where for whatever reason the panels get exceptionally dirty (e.g. in an industrial or coastal area) then cleaning is advisable. An annual clean in March before the start of the higher production summer days is recommended.



  • Do solar panels need maintenance?

    Domestic solar panel systems require regular checks to ensure they are operating correctly. Specialist inverters have monitoring functionality which helps considerably. Formal regulations require systems to be checked every 10 years, however, we would advise a full service every 3 years.


    Larger 3 phase systems should be serviced annually. Servicing includes cleaning of the inverter, checking and upgrading the software within the inverter, checking the performance of panels and other items recommended by the manufacturer and best practice.


  • Can solar panels damage your roof?

    There are many fixing systems, most of which are accredited by the MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme). Any certified system will not damage your roof.


    At AlphaOne we only use qualified roofers to install panels who also help to ensure that all aspects of weatherproofing are maintained.


  • What type of roof is best for solar panels?

    It used to be said that you needed to have a South facing roof for Solar PV installations to be viable. However, this is not the case. Many properties have roofs that face in different directions such as East/West. 


    These benefit from generating much of their electricity during the early morning and evenings when many households have higher electricity demand. Matching the time of generation to the time of consumption has clear financial benefits. Properties that are used all day long may benefit the most from a system with some panels facing East, South and West.

  • How long do solar panels last?

    Most solar panels have warranties of 10 -12 years and also performance warranties of up to 20 or 25 years. Premium brands have better and longer warranties. This gives a good indication as to how long solar panels will last.


    We are of the view that properly maintained they may have a useful life of up to 30 years. However, the technology in this sector is rapidly advancing so you may want to reinvest sooner.


How Much do Solar Panels Cost?

Understanding solar panel pricing can be complex. With hundreds of brands and installation options, you need to know what you’re getting for your money, and why prices can vary so much.


There are 3 main factors that affect solar panel selection and pricing,

YOUR GOALS

This is often overlooked but very important. What do you aim to achieve with solar panels?


  • Do you have a set budget and want the highest power system you can afford?
  • Do you want maximum energy independence?
  • Are you focused on being as eco-friendly as possible?
  • Is peace of mind through warranties and durability a priority?
  • Or is shortest payback period your main aim?


It’s usually a mix of these.

At AlphaOne Electrics Ltd. we help balance these goals to find the right solar panel system for you. 


YOUR PROPERTY

The size of your home or business, available roof space, roof angle, roof direction (south-facing is optimal), shade from trees or nearby buildings, and your location in the UK.


All these factors affect how much energy you can generate, and therefore the price. We don’t do “one size fits all” systems.


We tailor solar solutions to match your specific needs.


YOUR ENERGY USE

Your energy consumption patterns influence what solar panel system you choose.


For example, you can make big savings by using high-drain appliances at certain times of day.


Adding solar batteries may also make sense. If you're a low energy user, a simple system could be enough.



 

Now, how much do they actually cost?


Our pricing ranges from budget-friendly options to premium solutions for both residential and commercial solar arrays. The differences in cost are a direct result of the wide range of panel and inverter currently available on the market. It's important to note that not all solar panels are created equal. Higher pricing is a reflection of the superior quality, extended lifespan, enhanced efficiency, and comprehensive warranties associated with our product offerings.


Our pricing includes all expenses related to installation, certification, registration, and more. The only additional cost you'll need to consider is scaffold pricing.


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