Question 1

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.

Question 2

How do I test my solar panel?

Accepted Answer

If you want to test your solar panel system to see if it’s working properly or just to see what output it’s giving, you can do this using a multimeter to measure current, or amps, and voltage.

Before you start, you’ll need to find the voltage (v) and current (A) ratings of your panel. You should be able to find them on the back of the panel. You should also make sure that it’s a nice clear, sunny day to get the best readings out of your panel. You should also check that it’s safe to be up on your roof!

To measure open circuit voltage, you’ll need to make sure that your solar panel is completely disconnected from your system’s regulator and battery (if you have one). Angle the panel towards the sun, and ensure that your multimeter is set to measure volts. Measure the voltage between the positive and negative terminals by connecting the negative contact on the voltmeter to the negative on the panel and the positive contact on the voltmeter to the positive on the panel.

Then, you can move on to the short circuit current. Follow the same steps as the open circuit voltage, but ensure that your multimeter is set at 10A to start with.

Only try to test your solar panel if it’s safe to do so. If your roof isn’t accessible without scaffolding or specialist equipment, consider speaking to an MCS-registered solar company about your concerns. They may recommend that they come to service your solar panel system.

Question 3

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 4

Can I buy solar panels?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can buy solar panels without having to have them installed by the same company. There are lots of online companies that will sell you single solar panel modules, but there are also lots of businesses that offer DIY solar panel kits with everything that you need to install solar panels yourself. If you’re looking to buy solar panels without installation, you should expect to spend around £4,000-5000 on a 3.5kW system, which is the average system installed in the UK. When you buy solar panels to install yourself, it’s worth bearing in mind that you won’t be eligible for Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments. To receive SEG payments, your solar panels need to be installed by an MCS-registered installer, and if any schemes come about in the future it’s likely that the rules will be the same. It’s also worth doing some sums before you decide to buy solar panels and install them yourself. An average solar panel system installed by an MCS-registered company will cost between £4,500-6,000. While that’s more expensive than a DIY solar panel kit, you can claim SEG payments. According to the Energy Saving Trust, you can make your money back on your solar panels within 16 years with the SEG, but without the SEG it could be up to 20 years – and that’s only if you’re at home all day to use the electricity. So before you go ahead and buy solar panels to install yourself, consider whether it would be better to get in touch with some solar companies to get quotes and see if it’s better to pay more upfront.

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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