Hoben Solar believe in getting things right from the get-go. With any investment you should be fully informed before making a decision. We have listed some frequently asked questions to help assist you in your Solar journey.
The size of your roof alongside the open space and orientation, will determine the number of panels you can install. The more panels installed = a higher amount of energy produced. An 8 panel solar PV system is the smallest we recommend, which generally fits on the roof of an average 3 bed semi detached property. We have successfully installed solar PV systems on many small roofs, which still generate a sufficient amount of energy.
An ideal situation for a solar PV system installation is maximum open space. Things poking through the roof or shading from trees will not stop you reaping the benefits from a solar system, but these factors can affect the amount of energy that is produced by the sunlight. We will assess this and give you honest advice as to the power you can expect to generate from a solar system.
Ideally, solar panels that are facing south will perform the best, producing the most energy. However you can still expect them to perform at approximately 86% if south-east / south-west. If your roof is facing the wrong direction, it will severely minimise the amount of energy your system can generate. Upon our consultation we will advise you on the energy your property can hope to generate. You can see what orientation your roof is facing on Google Earth should you wish to pre check this information.
You can install a few solar panels to hundreds if you have the space to do so. The amount you want installed will largely depend on the reason you want to install solar PV, which tends to vary from person to person. Is your decision based more on a financial investment, recouping over time? Is your decision based on having green energy and minimising your carbon footprint? Perhaps it is both. Once Hoben Solar have established your individual needs, we design an individual proposal best suited to you.
All types of roofs qualify for solar PV installation. The type of roof you have may affect ease of the install. For example slate roof tiles can be a more technical to install than those with clay roof tiles. Gathering this information prior to contacting us can help us advise you clearly from your first enquiry.
Having Solar Battery Storage allows you to store the electricity generated from the sun via your solar panels to use in the evening or a later time. Without battery storage, unused electricity that has been generated by your solar panels gets lost back to the grid.
For a lot of homeowners, the main energy consumption is during the darker hours. Not only is incorporating battery storage a wise financial investment, it means your carbon footprint is dramatically reduced. It gives the opportunity for entire households to run completely on renewable energy!
To find out this information you can check your smart meter or look back on previous bills to see month by month in the last year what amount in kilowatts (kW) you have used. You can use this information to work out your average monthly consumption. Giving us this information will help us to advise what size system would be appropriate to suit your needs.
Hoben Solar’s residential installations typically take no more than a day to install, causing you minimal disruption. The scaffolding will be erected a few days before our install team arrive.
It’s a fair question, especially here in the UK. The answer is yes! Even on cloudy days with minimal sunshine you can still expect your solar panels to generate electricity. The panels won’t produce maximum sufficiency but you really can reap the benefits from your solar PV system in cloudy weather. Panels only need light, as opposed to direct sunlight to generate power.
An industry standard is a minimum of 25 years, although a higher end product will can offer up to a lifetime warranty. You should bear in mind that this will vary dependent on the system you opt for.
It is recommended that your Solar Panels are inspected and serviced every 2 years. Hoben Solar offer a no obligation ‘service and maintenance package’ following installation giving you total peace of mind.
All solar panels come with manufacturers guarantee. The more premium the panel, the higher the level of protection. We ensure this written information is included in your proposal, so you are fully aware of the options before you make any commitment to your solar project.
Following our electrician installing an electrical inverter, the electricity that your solar panels produce is converted from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) which your home then runs on. An AC cable will be installed from the inverter to your distribution board.
Hoben Solar always ensure panels are mounted securely and expertly to prevent from excessive wind loading. You need not worry if you live in an area with excessive wind, modern solar panels withstand winds up to 140mph!
Hoben Solar know the market well. We offer quality products that will give you the best performance, aesthetics, track record and value for money. It is worth knowing the higher the budget, the longer the manufacturer’s warranty tends to be. However, there are still cost-effective options available with great credentials. We will recommend a quality solar PV array that we think will best suit your needs.
Depending on the nature of your project, different forms will need to be submitted and approved by the Energy Networks Association before the installation begins. Hoben Solar deal with this paperwork on your behalf.
Most systems require G98 approval, which is fairly easy to obtain. This approval is required if you are applying to connect a system up to 16A (3.68kW). If you require a large scale solar system, above 16A (3.68kW) per phase or you would like battery energy storage, then a G99 application form will be submitted for approval by our electrical expert.
Fortunately, Solar Panels on residential properties in most cases do not need planning permission. These are classed as ‘permitted development’. Permitted developments include:
(a) a dwellinghouse or a block of flats; or (b) a building situated within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse or a block of flats.
There are certain rules about the system location that must be adhered to, to comply with permitted development order.
Permitted development does NOT apply if the property comes under the following;
The property is listed
It may be that your roof is due repairs. You may want to make independent plans for a roofer to do these at the same time as the solar PV system installation. Alternatively, Hoben Solar are happy to arrange this for you as part of your solar project. If you have a roof that is very old, you may be considering a roof replacement. It could be beneficial to consider the roof replacement / repairs to be undertaken in conjunction with your solar project, saving on time with workmen at your property and scaffolding costs.
If you are considering a roof replacement, bear in mind an alternative solar PV system option would also be an option for you. An ‘in-roof’ system is recessed into the roof itself sitting flush, which looks very neat indeed!
Each panel can weigh 20-30 kilos per panel. The roofs are over engineered on most modern houses and will easily accommodate the solar panels on the roof without it ever affecting the structural stability of the property.
A very old property with very old roof trusses may not have the structural integrity to take the additional weight of solar panels. If you are unsure that your roof could handle the weight of solar panels, it may be an idea to get a structural engineer to inspect the property before your solar system is considered.
We hope we have covered all your general enquiries. If there is anything we haven’t covered, please give us a call, our friendly team will be happy to help!
