Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The answer is no. 
If your solar panel system installation adheres to legal regulations and meets standard requirements, your neighbours do not possess the authority to compel you to remove them. While they can express their concerns privately to you, they are not permitted to lodge a formal complaint with any organisation, like the council.

The answer is normally between 8 to 12 solar panels.
The average 3-bedroom semi-detached house in the UK normally requires between 8 to 12 solar panels for its energy requirements. However, the number of solar panels required for any house in the UK depends on many various factors such as the size of your house, your current energy consumption, your location, the pitch and orientation of your roof. Contact us for a free quote and design.

The answer is possibly. 
Before installing your solar panels, you need to get approval from your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) if your system will have more than 3.68 kWp of capacity for each phase. This applies to most UK homes, which have a single-phase power supply. For solar panel systems over 3.68 kWp, you have to ask for permission in advance. Getting approval from your DNO is usually not a big deal, and it is something that NXTGEN Energy can help you with, see more details on making a DNO Application for Solar Panels.

The answer is a lot. 
Having more solar panels than you need will reduce the cost-effectiveness of your Solar PV System. This will make it take much longer for you to recover the cost of your solar panels.

The answer is our prices start from £4,800.
The cost of installing solar panels in the UK can vary depending on factors such as your energy requirements, solar panel size and solar panel type. The cost for a three-bed semi-detached house with four occupants will cost around £6,750 for a basic entry level starter package of 8 solar panels, a solar battery and an inverter, but the cost will vary depending on the size of the home, your individual energy requirements, location, pitch and orientation of your roof.

The answer is no.
There is no evidence that solar panels make it harder to sell a house in the UK. So investing in solar panels is a win-win for your energy bills and also for increasing the value of your property.

The answer is yes.
Solar panels do work in winter. Solar panels work by converting sunlight into electricity, and are not based on converting heat. Although there are fewer available sunlight hours in the winter months, a solar panel system can still produce electricity, albeit solar panel output will be lower than in the summer months. Snow can block the sun from reaching the solar cells which can be a problem, but it can also reflect more light onto the solar panels. Solar panels can still generate enough renewable power to run a home in winter in the UK, especially if you have solar batteries to store the solar energy produced by the solar panels.

The answer is no.
If you have solar panels in the UK, you can expect them to cover some of your annual electricity needs, depending on your energy usage and how much energy is generated from your solar panel system, while the remaining electrcity will come from the National Grid. However, you can save more money if you use an Economy 7 tariff, which offers lower electricity prices between 12am and 7am. By using a solar energy app to control your system, you can set it to charge during these off-peak hours, just like you would with your dishwasher or other appliances.

The answer is yes.
Fitting the solar panels themselves is normally a one or two-day job, for example on a tiled roof of a 3-bedroom house you can fit around 16 solar panels a day. Once they’re fitted, registering your solar panels is a must – you’ll need an MCS certificate (we’re an MCS Certified PV (Panel) Installer and an MCS Certified Battery Storage Installer), which you’ll use to register for the (SEG) Smart Export Guarantee Scheme payments with a licensed energy supplier in the UK. It doesn’t have to be your current energy supplier either!

Monocrystalline Vs Polycrystalline Solar Panels.
Monocrystalline solar panels are more efficient and expensive than polycrystalline solar panels, because they have one silicon crystal per cell, polycrystalline solar panels have solar cells made from many silicon crystals melted together. Both panels use the sun’s energy to make electricity, but monocrystalline panels perform better in high temperatures and have a sleeker design. The choice of monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels depends on your preference, budget, space, and climate.

Solar panels can help you generate your own renewable energy, but they are not suitable for every property in the UK. You will need to consider your electricity consumption, your roof characteristics, the shading level and the radiance level of your homes location. If you want to know if your property can benefit from solar panels, contact us for a free solar energy assessment on 01268 928 690.

The answer is south-facing.
South-facing roofs are ideal for solar panels, as they get the most sunlight and the highest sun intensity throughout the day in the UK. East or west-facing roofs are also good, as they get enough sunlight in the morning or afternoon, with only a small loss of energy generation. North-facing roofs are not recommended, as they get very little sunlight. Flat roofs can use mounts to tilt the solar panels at the best angle. You can contact us for a remote survey of your roof suitability using the contact details below.

The answer is sort of. 
You can use north-facing solar panels on your roof in the UK, but they will not work very well. Your roof already gets less sun than a south-facing roof, so you need to make sure nothing else blocks the sun. If your roof has a lot of shade during the day, you should not put solar panels on it. You can try putting them on the ground or on your shed, garage roof or flat roof instead.

The answer is it depends.
Solar panels are usually allowed without planning permission, as long as they are not higher than the property, not visually intrusive, and not sticking out more than 200mm from the roof. However, some properties, such as Grade II Listed buildings or if your home is in a conservation area, you may need planning permission for solar panels. You can contact us and speak to a NXTGEN Energy solar energy expert for advice if you are unsure. 

The answer is sort of. 
Solar panels are not completely self-cleaning, but they do have some self-cleaning properties. Solar panels are made from self-cleaning glass, which means that they have a special coating that makes them resistant to dust, dirt, and debris. This coating also helps the rainwater to slide off the surface of the panels, washing away some of the accumulated dirt. However, self-cleaning glass is not perfect. In dry and dusty environments, rainwater may not be enough to keep the solar panels clean. Also, if the solar panels are installed at a low angle, the rainwater may not drain properly, leaving behind stains or spots. That’s why regular solar panel cleaning is always recommended to ensure your solar panel system reaches optimal performance.

The answer is yes. 
Solar panels are designed to operate under high temperatures, but they can also overheat under certain conditions. Excessive heat can have negative effects on the performance and efficiency of a solar panel, as well as its lifespan and durability. Overheating can lead to a decrease in solar panel power output, reduced lifespan, and potential damage to the solar panel itself. Fortunately, weather in the UK is rarely extreme, and it is very suitable for solar panels. However, to prevent overheating, it is important to ensure proper installation, regular solar panel cleaning, and adequate airflow around the solar panels.

The answer is from 1p – 35p per kWh (March 2024).
Through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme, you can sell any excess electricity generated by your solar panels back to the National Grid. How much you can earn per kWh depends on the tariff your energy supplier pays per kWh of electricity which is currently between 1p – 35p and how much of your solar energy  generated power you use. Contact your current energy supplier to find out about the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme.

The answer is yes. 
Solar panel technology has been improving rapidly over the years, and there is ongoing research aimed at increasing panel efficiency. Panel efficiency is the measure of how much sunlight a solar panel can convert into electricity. Currently, most residential solar panels have an efficiency of around 15-22%, with the most premium ones reaching around 22%. This means that for every 100 watts of sunlight that hits the solar panel, it can produce 15-22 watts of electricity. This may not sound very impressive, but it is actually quite remarkable considering where we were 10 years ago. Solar panels are becoming more efficient and more powerful every year.

The answer is no. 
Solar panels work by converting sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic (PV) effect. This means that they can only generate electricity during the day, when sunlight is available. Solar panels do work in the winter, and on cloudy days where sunlight is limited, but they cannot work at night when there is no sunlight at all.

The answer is yes. 
Installing solar panels involves working at heights and dealing with high voltage direct current (DC), which can pose some risks if not done properly. Faulty wiring and low-quality installations can lead to electrical faults and even fire hazards, which is why it’s crucial to choose a competent and MCS Certified Solar PV (panel) Installer. At NXTGEN Energy, we are MCS Certified (Solar PV & Battery Storage), HIES, NAPIT and TrustMark accredited installers, with years of experience in the renewable energy industry, we are considered one of the best solar installer companies in the UK.

The answer is not normally. 
Solar panel companies typically do not replace your roof in order to install solar panels. However, they do need to assess if your roof is structurally sound and suitable for solar panels. Before installing solar panels, our solar energy experts will conduct a survey of your roof and perform weight and wind load calculations. If your roof appears poorly maintained or damaged, we will advise you to address any necessary repairs or replacements with a roofing contractor (NXTGEN Futures can help you with this on 0800 270 7717) before installing solar panels. This ensures the longevity and effectiveness of your solar panel system and ensures your property will remain safe for many years to come.

The answer is not normally. 
We generally don’t need to do site visits now due to the technology we use and photos from the client. If our experienced operational solar energy team reviews all the paperwork and deems a site visit a necessary to check your roof for your solar panels, then they will book a complete technical survey in.

The answer is maybe. 
Optimisers on solar panels for your business or your home are not essential, but they can be a really big benefit. If your solar panels face uneven shading from other buildings or trees, or if your roof layout is complicated, solar panel optimisers can greatly improve your solar panel system’s efficiency by letting each solar panel work at its best, regardless of the other solar panels in your solar panel system array.

The answer is no. 
You can have as many solar panels as you like on your property, as long as you follow the local planning rules. You need to check that your roof and/or land can accommodate all the solar panels you want to buy. You can also generate as much power as you want with your solar panels, but there is a condition. If your system has more than 3.68 kWp of capacity, your installer needs to get approval from your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) via a DNO Application before installing it, unless you have a three-phase power supply.

The answer is normally between 25 to 30 years. 
The industry standard for most solar panels‘ lifespans is normally between 25 to 30 years. Most reputable solar panel manufacturers like TrinaSolar, JA Solar and Eurener offer production warranties for 25 years or more.

The answer is China. 
China, in East Asia, is the main producer of solar panels – around 80% of them are made there, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Also, six of the seven biggest solar panel makers are based in China, such as JA Solar, Aiko Solar and TrinaSolar, who make some of the best solar panels. This doesn’t mean that other countries don’t make solar panels. The USA and Canada also have big solar panel making companies, such as First Solar and Canadian Solar respectively. The UK makes solar panels with the longest guarantee of 40-years and a high efficiency rating of 22.8% which is the Maxeon from UK company Maxeon Solar Technologies Ltd.

The answer is yes. 
Installing solar panels on a garage roof is possible. It’s a great way to use the often neglected roof space of your garage. But, for the best results, don’t forget to think about the factors that can effect the installation of solar panels on any roof space, like your garage roof strength, angle, direction, and distance from your house before you install. It’s always a good idea to get professional advice from an experienced MCS Certified Installer like NXTGEN Energy before you go ahead with solar panels on a garage roof.

The answer is yes. 
You can add more solar panels to your Solar Panel System array without any problem, as long as your solar panel system does not generate more than 3.68kW (or 16 Amps). This is the limit for most UK homes. If you want to go beyond this limit, you will have to fill in a G99 application form and send it to your Distribution Network Operator (DNO), this is called a DNO Application for Solar Panels.

The answer is yes. 
Whilst there is no hard and fast rule as to how much value solar panels can add to the overall value of your property, suggestions from online property portals like Zoopla and Rightmove range from 4.1% to 14% on average for a 3-bedroom semi-detached house and they are certainly unlikely to detract from the value of your home, even if they aren’t the most attractive feature visually.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme enables small-scale low-carbon generators, like homeowners who have solar panels installed, to receive payments from electricity suppliers like British Gas, Octopus Energy, E.ON, EDF Energy, etc. for the excess energy they export to the National Grid, providing certain criteria are met, like having an MCS Certificate from a MCS Certified Installer for your Solar PV System array and having a meter that can calculate the amount of exported energy and other criteria.

The answer is about 12-hours. 
Typically, 6kWh solar battery storage can last approximately 12-hours when you’re only running a few household appliances, such as your TV, fridge, freezer and even a few lights. However, it will drain quickly if you add the use of any heavy-duty appliances, such as air conditioners, washing machines or dishwashers.

The answer is they stop storing power. 
Should your solar battery storage become full, it will stop absorbing solar power from your solar panel system array on your roof or in your garden. The solar panels will continue to generate voltage, but that voltage will not be used or stored until there is available energy demand in your home, or there is battery space available to store the excess solar energy being produced.

The answer is the level of Ingress Protection. 
IP20 and IP65 are ratings that indicate the level of protection that a solar battery storage has against dust and water ingress. IP stands for Ingress Protection, and the two digits represent the degree of protection against solid particles (such as dust) and liquid (such as water). The higher the number, the better the protection.

The answer is Lithium-ion. 
Lithium-ion solar batteries are the best batteries for residential solar energy storage from solar panels. They have a higher energy density, meaning they store more energy in smaller spaces. They offer better efficiency and have longer life spans than lead-acid solutions. However, lithium-ion batteries are the most expensive.