Frequently Asked Questions

A typical 4kW system (10-11 panels) costs £5,000-8,000 with 0% VAT. The government median for a 4kW system is £7,504. With battery storage, expect £9,500-12,500. Read our full solar panel cost guide for detailed breakdowns.

A typical 3-bedroom home needs 10-12 panels (4-5kW). A 4+ bedroom home may need 15-17 panels (6kW+). We design every system based on your specific energy usage, roof size, and orientation.

Yes. Panels generate electricity from daylight, not just direct sunshine. On overcast days, they produce 10-25% of peak output. Hampshire averages 1,750+ hours of sunshine per year — 18% above the UK average. Learn more in our guide on how solar panels work.

Most residential installations fall under permitted development and don't require planning permission. Exceptions include listed buildings, conservation areas, and flats. See our planning permission guide or conservation area guide for details.

Yes, for most Hampshire homeowners. A 4kW system generates 3,600-4,200 kWh per year, saving £900-1,200 annually. With 0% VAT, SEG payments, and payback periods of 7-11 years, most systems generate £15,000-30,000 in free electricity over 25 years. Hampshire receives 18% more sunshine than the UK average, making the financial case especially strong here.

Solar may not suit every property. Less cost-effective if: your roof faces north, your property is heavily shaded, you have a very small roof (fewer than 6 panels), your building is listed with planning restrictions, or you plan to move within 3-5 years. A free survey will confirm suitability for your specific property.

Modern panels are designed to last 25-30+ years. Performance warranties guarantee at least 80% output after 25 years. Inverters typically last 10-15 years. Batteries last 15-25+ years depending on chemistry.

In Hampshire, a typical solar-only system pays back in 8-12 years. With a battery and smart tariff like Octopus Agile, payback can be 7-10 years. After payback, you enjoy free electricity for the remaining 15-20+ years.

With electricity at 27p/kWh and rising, a well-sized battery saves £300-600 per year on top of solar savings. Combined with smart tariffs like Octopus Agile, savings can exceed £1,000 annually. See our full battery storage cost guide for details.

Yes. We regularly retrofit batteries to existing installations. SigEnergy, Fox ESS, and GoodWe all offer systems compatible with existing setups. A site survey will confirm the best option for your system.

Modern LiFePO4 batteries are rated for 6,000-10,000 cycles (15-25+ years of daily use). Warranties range from 10 to 15 years. The SigEnergy battery offers 10,000+ cycles with 70% capacity at 10 years.

Most homes benefit from 5-10kWh of storage. A 5kWh battery covers evening usage for a typical 2-3 bed home. Larger homes or EV owners may want 10-18kWh. We recommend based on your specific energy profile.

Yes. A 4kW solar system provides enough energy for approximately 30 miles of driving per day. With a solar-integrated smart charger, you can prioritise free solar energy and save up to £1,500/year versus petrol. See our EV charging solar guide.

V2H lets your electric car send stored energy back to power your home. The SigEnergy DC charger supports bi-directional charging, turning your EV into a massive home battery.

The OZEV grant covers 75% of the cost, up to £500, for renters and flat owners (landlords can claim up to £500 per socket). Standard homeowner-occupiers are not currently eligible, but solar-powered EV charging still offers significant savings.

No. Since April 2022, domestic solar panel and battery storage installations carry 0% VAT. This saves you £1,000-2,850 on a typical installation compared to the previous 5% rate. Read our guide on 0% VAT solar panels.

Yes, through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Rates vary: Octopus Intelligent Flux pays 25-27p/kWh average, Outgoing Octopus pays 15p/kWh flat. MCS certification (which we provide) is required to claim.

Research suggests solar panels add 4-6.8% to property value. Improving your EPC from D to C adds an average £11,157. Homes with solar sell faster and command premium prices, especially as energy costs rise.

Solar Together Hampshire is a council-backed group-buying scheme that offers discounted installation. ECO4 provides fully funded installations for eligible low-income households. Read our full grants guide.

We serve a 2-hour radius from our Whiteley, Fareham base. This covers all of Hampshire, plus parts of West Sussex, Surrey, Dorset, and Wiltshire — over 60 towns and villages. See all areas we cover.

Most residential solar panel installations are completed in one day. Adding a battery typically adds half a day. From initial contact to switch-on is usually 2-4 weeks.

We install SigEnergy, Fox ESS, GoodWe, and — three brands covering every price point: premium innovation (SigEnergy), market-leading value (Fox ESS), quality engineering (GoodWe), and UK-proven reliability (GivEnergy). Compare them in our .

Yes. We offer annual maintenance plans from £99/year, including cleaning, inspection, and electrical testing. We also service systems installed by other companies.