Question 1

Can solar panels cause fires?

Accepted Answer

It’s only likely that solar panels will cause fires if they are installed incorrectly. The safest thing to do is ask an MCS-registered engineer to install your panels as they have all the relevant qualifications and training in handling electricity. If you choose a reputable company that can prove they have the right certifications, it’s highly unlikely that your solar panels will cause a fire. It’s important to remember that solar PV panels can’t start a fire themselves. It’s other parts that could become faulty that would then lead to a fire. For example, if the connectors in the system aren’t seamed properly, it could cause arcing and overheating, which could then cause the panels to set alight. Another possibility is that the junction box overheats and starts a fire. The junction box is found on the rear side of the solar panel and enables the electrical connection via a connector. Of course, since solar panels harness electricity, there is always a small fire risk – just like there is with any electrical appliance in your home. But there are some precautions you can take to reduce your risk of fire from solar panels: Don’t buy cheap solar panels – while it might seem tempting, make sure you choose MCS-certified solar panels. Any reputable installer will recommend high quality solar panels, which is another reason to have them professionally installed rather than doing it yourself. Ensure that your installer uses non-combustible mounting systems and frames. Check your system regularly for signs of pests gnawing through cables. Keep your solar panel system regularly maintained with proper testing and servicing carried out as recommended by your installer. If something doesn’t look right to you, get in touch with your installer and ask – they should be more than happy to help.

Question 2

Is it best to get solar panels installed by a professional?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It will always be best to get solar panels installed by a professional because they have gone through lots of training and have all the relevant qualifications to install solar panels correctly. Whenever you’re dealing with electricity, if something goes wrong it could cause a fire or you could electrocute yourself, so it’s always worth leaving it to the professionals. The other thing to bear in mind is that it’s best to get solar panels installed by a professional, MCS-registered engineer so you’re eligible for Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments. The SEG is a government-backed scheme where your energy supplier pays you for each unit of electricity you send back to the grid. Each supplier can set their own rate, but it must be above zero at all times, even if wholesale electricity prices dip below zero. According to the Energy Saving Trust, if you’re at home all day and live in the South East, combine the savings on your electricity bills with your SEG payments and you could save up to £330 a year, meaning the system could pay for itself within 16 years. If you don’t use an MCS-registered company to install your solar panels, you won’t be able to claim the SEG. It’s also unlikely that you’d be able to claim payments for any other schemes that may become available in the future, so it’s always best to leave your solar panel installation to the professionals.

Question 3

How do I connect solar panels to a battery?

Accepted Answer

If you want to connect solar panels to a battery, it’s likely that it’s because you want to make sure that you don’t waste any electricity when your solar panels are generating energy but you’re not around to use it. Batteries are particularly useful for homeowners that have solar panels but are out during daylight hours; with a solar battery system, your solar panels will feed the electricity they generate into the battery for you to use when you get home.

If you want to connect your solar panels to a battery, the best thing to do is to get in touch with an MCS-registered company who can talk you through your options. There are different size batteries and the size that’s suitable for you will depend on how much electricity you plan to store and how large your solar panel system is. Some of the top brands of battery storage system include Tesla, SunPower and SolarEdge. If you want to be able to take advantage of selling electricity back to the grid through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), it’s worth getting an MCS-registered company to install your battery for you, as you may not be eligible for payments if you connect your solar panels to a battery yourself.

You should also consider whether your solar panel system is a ‘storage ready’ solar system. Today, most systems will be, since battery storage is becoming much more common. This means that your solar panel system will have an inverter that can easily integrate a battery. If this is the case, you should be able to purchase the battery you want and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install it.

However, it’s worth bearing in mind that electricity is extremely dangerous when handled incorrectly. If something goes wrong, you could electrocute yourself or cause a fire. If your solar panels and battery cause a fire, it’s unlikely that your home insurance company would pay out if you connect the battery yourself. That's why it’s best to ask a reputable installer with all the correct qualifications to connect your solar panels to a battery for you.

Question 4

How much do solar panels cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost of solar panels has reduced significantly over the years. While a system may have cost you up to £20,000 in the early days, that’s not the case anymore. So how much do solar panels cost today? The cost of an average 4kW system on an average home will set you back between £4,500-6,500. But pair that with the savings on your electricity bills and payments that you can receive from the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), the net cost could be much less. The SEG is a payment from your energy supplier for any electricity that you don’t use and send back to the grid. Each energy supplier can set their own rate, but it must be above zero at all times. This replaces the Feed-in Tariff Scheme (FITs) which used to pay solar panel owners per kW of electricity they generated as well as that which they sent back to the grid. This was a much more lucrative scheme which saw homeowners earn back the cost of their system within a few years, but it ended in March 2019. Now, with the SEG and your savings on your electricity bills, you could save up to £330 a year – meaning you could break even within 14 years. Solar panel systems are likely to last up to 25 years, so they’re still well worth investing in. Combine that with the saving of 1.29 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year, and you’ve done your bit for the environment.

Avg. price low	Avg. price low £2,600
Avg. price	Avg. price £3,250
Avg. price high	Avg. price high £4,875

	Material cost	£3,200
	Waste removal	£50

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