FAQ’s

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions

No you don’t need Solar PV to benefit from a home battery energy storage system. We offer a range of battery options which are suitable for use in homes with or without Solar PV.

But if you’re thinking of installing Solar PV in the future, we can advise you on the best options to future proof your energy storage system.

 

Most solar batteries should last around 10 years, but it depends on the type of battery you choose and the amount of usage during it’s lifetime.

All batteries come with a manufacturers warranty. The exact length of warranty depends on the type of battery chosen.

 

As part of our home survey, we’ll discuss the most suitable locations for your battery. We usually aim to install it indoors, close to your consumer unit, such as in a utility room, a large enough cupboard or under the stairs. But if we can’t find a suitable place inside, it’s possible to install outside as long as there’s a sheltered spot where it isn’t exposed to direct sunlight or rain, with some kind of roof/overhead cover.

This depends on the manufacturer, power and size of the battery you choose.

The actual size of a battery ranges from approximately

Height: 620 mm – 1150 mm

Width: 480 mm – 755 mm

Depth: 155 mm – 220 mm

We will help you decide on the best location for your battery/batteries as part of our home survey and quotation, as you will also need to allow for clearance space around the battery/inverter, as per the manufacturers specifications.

Roof orientation can be an important factor for your solar panel installation. In the UK, a south facing roof will usually produce the best results, but you can get good outputs from east and west facing roofs too. A north facing roof receives the least sunlight and will therefore  the least efficient orientation.

A 35-40 degree pitched roof is normally the best to produce the most amount of energy, but most roofing surfaces can be accommodated. Shading factors, i.e. trees and other buildings, need to be taken into account at design stage but all good installers should discuss this with you.

There is normally a solar solution to fit most situations, we will discuss the best options during your consultation.

Although it’s not essential to have a battery system, it can be a worthwhile investment for the complete renewable energy solution.

How much you would benefit from a battery system, largely depends on your pattern of energy usage. For example, if you’re out most of the day and your electricity usage is at its lowest, your solar panels could be generating more energy than you actually need. The addition of a battery system stops this excess energy from going to waste, by saving and storing it so you can switch to battery power at night, when your solar panels no longer generate energy. This makes a battery system a worthwhile investment.

Having a battery could also help support your home if there is a power cut with the use of a power back-up system.

Most solar panel installations are granted as part of “Permitted Development” so standard solar panel installations should not require planning permission.

However, if you live in a listed building or home, world heritage site or conservation area, it is always advised to seek permission before entering a solar PV installation. This does not mean it can not be done but permissions should be sought.

Believe it or not, the UK can generate a considerable amount of solar energy to make your solar solution a good investment. We’re even on par with other European countries for Solar Power generation.

Although solar energy works best in the summer months, when daylight hours are at their longest, you can still generate power throughout the year in the UK. If it’s a cloudy day, your solar panels will still work, but the total power it can generate will be reduced.

 

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Minimum age of 18 years
  • UK resident for more than 12 months
  • Own a personal bank account from which a Direct Debit can be taken
  • Owner / occupier
  • Permanent employment working a minimum of 16 hours per week, Self employed, Retired person on disability allowance, Unemployed and ‘house person’ (with consent of co-habiting working partner)

Unable to accept:

  • Unemployed without a spouse/partner in full time employment Temporary positions/Agency workers
  • Foster Carers without a spouse/partner who meets our minimum employment criteria
  • Child-minders who do not have a registered Créche/Nursery
  • Full Time Students (other than trainee nurses and doctors)
  • Supply Teachers who do not have a permanent contract with a specific school, we would possibly require the school name and address

Yes there was, but only up until March 31st 2022 for domestic homes. However the grant is continuing for commercial premises. The good news is SGS are accredited OZEV installers enabling you to receive £350 grant from the government.

Yes you can! Many EV chargers allow you to use excess solar power to charge up your car. Generating solar power requires you to have solar panels (PV) fitted in your home, but the energy generated through these is totally free – which means free driving!

Basically, the difference between a tethered and untethered vehicle charger is the charging cable. A tethered charger has a fixed charging cable which cannot be removed, and an untethered charger has a detachable cable which can be removed and taken with you wherever you go.

 

If you haven’t already noticed, petrol and diesel prices fluctuate greatly and with an upcoming ban on certain fuels in 2035 an EV charger in your home could increase the saleability of your home. You can also set timers, so that you only charge at the most efficient and cheapest times of day. You can use solar energy to charge your car, if you have Solar PV. For security, chargers are pincode protected, so no one else can use it without your consent.

Essentially you will need some form of off-road parking, like a driveway or garage with the ability to get power to it. You will be able to charge your vehicle from a mains 3 pin plug, but we highly recommend you get a EV charger unless you want to spend days charging.

  • Try to visually check your electrics from time to time, and if it looks suspicious, seek professional help.
  • If you’re a DIY enthusiast always get your installations checked professionally once finished. Nearly half of reported issues have been because of DIY installations.
  • Water and electricity are not nest friends. The bathroom is potentially the most dangerous place to get electrical installations wrong. Knowing the electrical safety zones in a bathroom is critical to safety and compliance.
  • Make sure your kitchen appliance are installed properly and that the appliances themselves are used in accordance with the instruction manuals
  • If it’s raining, DO NOT use electrical gardening equipment outdoors. Dry weather conditions are always favourable for garden tools and equipment.
  • If you’ve had a flood, it is likely that the electrics have been damaged and require fixing or reinstalling. It’s always good to ask a professional electrical installer first before you do anything else.
  • Always be cautious with electrical fires. You should never hang anything in front of or over the front of a fire – even if you think it is a safe distance away.

If you have, or are considering buying an electric or hybrid vehicle, where and how you’re going to charge the vehicle is one of the most important factors you will need to consider.

SGS are premier advisors and installers of EV chargers and we work with leading suppliers in the UK. We have OZEV accreditation to access government grants (commercial only), so you can trust SGS to provide you with the best charging solution for your needs and requirements.