Types of Solar Power Systems for your Home
Reduce your Energy Bills with Solar Power
As energy prices soar, more households across the UK are turning to domestic solar panels to reduce energy bills and play a part in becoming more environmentally friendly, safeguarding our planet for generations to come.
At Solar Star Power, we understand each household has unique energy needs, so we specialise in providing solar panel systems that are tailored to you, your energy needs and your home. Solar Star Power can offer high-quality, affordable Solar Power Systems to Homes across the West Midlands, including Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Cheshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Shropshire with a vast range of options, with the latest photovoltaic cells and reliable solar power systems.
Why Choose Solar Star Power to install your Solar Panels?
-
MCS Certified: Our installations meet industry-expected levels of quality
-
Expertise: We work with leading solar panel brands like Panasonic, Sharp, and JA Solar.
-
Guided Installations & Planning: Our technical team designs the most efficient solar installations tailored to your needs, certain solar installations require planning permission. Solar Star Power have a long association with B3 Architects who have an over 95 percent planning approval rating!
-
Lower Carbon Footprint: Make your home eco-friendly and sustainable whilst reducing reliance on the grid.
-
Local Focus: We understand the specific solar energy needs of our customers in the Midlands.
How do Solar Panels Work?
The sun emits light, which is made up of tiny particles called photons. Solar Panels are devices which are used to absorb the sun's rays, the photons, and convert them into electricity. Each panel is a collection of solar (or photovoltaic, PV) cells, which are used to generate electricity. An inverter is installed to convert the electricity from DC to AC, which can then be used to power your home or will get stored in your battery.
Combine Solar Panels with Battery Storage for Ultimate Efficiency
Integrate your solar PV system with a cutting-edge battery storage solution and unlock a world of extended benefits for your home. By storing the power your solar panels generate, you gain unparalleled control over your energy consumption.
This synergy optimises your energy use and offers the reassurance that regardless of external factors (varied energy tariffs) or seasonal changes, you're always powered by affordable, eco-friendly energy. Especially as most households experience a surge in energy demands during late afternoons and evenings, having a reservoir of stored energy proves invaluable.
Key Benefits of Domestic Solar Panels:
-
Cost Savings: Generate free, green electricity and make substantial savings on your energy bills.
-
Solar Income: Any surplus power generated can be sold back to the grid.
-
Financial Stability: With rising energy prices, solar power offers a fixed return on investment for clean energy.
-
Lower Carbon Footprint: Make your home eco-friendly and sustainable whilst reducing reliance on the grid.
-
Energy Security: In an era of increasing energy demands and regulations, our solar installations serve as an excellent backup measure.
10 Year Warranty on Installs...
10 Years on all Parts & Labour*
25 Years for Solar Panel Performance
20 Years on Solar Edge HD Wave Inverters
What happens once I have made an enquiry?
-
What are the benefits of a solar power system?It can be overwhelming when you start to research the pros and cons of a solar power solution, there is so much information available. However, it is important to undertake some research and understand the advantages and disadvantages of installing a solar power system. Advantages Significantly reduced electric bills Insurance against rising energy costs Cheaper power source Return on investment Environmentally friendly, provides clean renewable energy. Energy independence No VAT payable until 2027 on solar installations for domestic properties Low maintenance costs Can increase home value Disadvantages? High initial cost Not financially viable if you plan to move house within the next few years Small amount of pollution during manufacture, transport, and installation. The roof of your property may not be suitable for solar panels either due to the tiles, available space, or orientation.
-
Do I need a battery?You do not need to have a battery for your solar PV panels to work. However, energy storage allows you to use more of the eco-friendly energy you generate in your home rather than exporting it back to the grid. If you are out most of the day and use most of your electricity in the evenings, it makes sense to store the power generated in the day in a battery for use at night. You are also able to store cheaper power from the grid at night to store for use the next day.
-
Where do I find my approximate annual electricity usage?Check your latest electricity bill or smart meter
-
How big a solar PV should I buy?It is useful to know your estimated annual usage before contacting us, this will then allow us to create a system specifically for your needs. Example: Your average usage is 3,300kW hours annually,we quote for a 4kW system, which would generate approximately 3,300kW hours annually.Your panels would not be performing at 4kW 24/7;therefore, it is always wise to have some extra power to generate more kilowatt hours than required and to futureproof your property. You may at some point buy an electric car.
-
Is there a limit to the size of installation I can have?If you are on a single-phase supply your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) has set an installation limit of 4kW at peak performance, this is generally the phase most domestic properties are on. If you are on a three-phase supply, generally a business and usually a farm, your DNO’s limit is a 12kW installation. We can, however, install a larger system with permission from your DNO, we can request this permission on your behalf using your MPAN. This service is generally free of charge.
-
How do I know if I am on a single-phase or three-phase supply?There are a few ways to decipher whether you are on a single or three-phase supply: It is written on the meter face – ‘single-phase,’ ‘mono-phase,’ ‘1-Phase.’ Or ‘Tri-Phase,’ ‘Polyphase,’ ‘3-Phase.’ Give your electricity supplier a call – do make sure you have your bill in front of you to verify your account details! Have a look at your Main Switch, is it 1-pole wide (single phase) or 3-poles wide (3-phase)? A 1-pole is 18mm wide and a 3-pole is 54mm wide
-
Are there any grants or help available to me?There are currently no grants available, although the Chancellor did abolish VAT on domestic solar installations from April 2022 until April 2027, to encourage homeowners to switch to green energy. Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is provided by electricity suppliers, where their customers are paid a standard flat rate to sell their excess electricity back to the grid. It is worth exploring the best provider with the highest flat rate, as these can change. You will also need a smart meter to take advantage of a SEG.
-
Do I require planning permission?Most installations come under permitted development. You will require planning permission if your house is a listed building or in a conservation area. You will also require planning permission for a ground mount installation. For further information on planning permission for single and three phase installations please clik here.
-
What guarantees do you provide?The inverters, batteries, and workmanship have a 10-year guarantee. The solar panels are guaranteed to be working at least 80% efficiency after 25 years.
-
How long will the scaffold be up?We generally use our own scaffold, which enables us to be more efficient and the scaffold around your house not to be up for any longer than necessary. The team of roofers will install the scaffold before they start work and dismantle upon completion. For more complex projects we use external scaffolders, who would install the scaffold a couple of days before installation.
-
What is an MPAN and where do I find mine?You will need your MPAN if you request to have an installation bigger than the 4kW limit for a single-phase supply, which your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) has set. We can request approval on your behalf. This is usually a free service. You will find your MPAN number on your electricity bill in a series of boxes with a letter ‘S,’ to the left, the MPAN number is the long number on the bottom row.
-
How would I know if my inverter was not working?There are three lights on the inverter, red, orange, and green. If the orange light is illuminated there is an obvious fault.
-
How do I get the panels cleaned?The panels will generally remain clean through rainfall. However, if you felt you needed the panels cleaned there are some professional solar panel cleaners available or some window cleaners who are able to access the panels will clean them for you.
-
Do I need to get my panels checked regularly?We recommend a solar panel check every 5 years.
-
When do I pay? Is there a deposit?We do not take a deposit for any installations. Payment is upon commissioning of any equipment; we will invoice you when the job is completed. If you chose a Tesla Powerwall, we do require payment in full when it is received into our warehouse. We will then install your Tesla Powerwall one to two days later.
-
What payment methods do you accept?We accept credit cards, bank transfers, cash, and cheques.
Get a Customised Quote for
Solar Panels for your Home
Book a Free Solar Survey with one of our specialist surveyors to
get a tailored package for your home and energy needs.
Please Note: Job Applications are strictly via email submission with a Covering Letter & C.V; entrants submitted via the form below are disregarded.
