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Solar installations are a step in the right direction, however, to get the most out of the installation, you must hire a professional to do end-to-end work. Solar power is touted as the next best thing since fossil fuel and is designed to reduce global impact via lower emissions.
The system itself is very straightforward and only requires a combination of infrastructure, wiring, battery tech, and maintenance. It is designed to last a very long time if installed correctly. However, in recent years, due to the boom in the demand for solar energy, installation prices have gone up which has caused many people to go the DIY route.
Getting things done by yourself can be very fulfilling but it also comes at a cost, especially when it comes to solar panel installation. Solar installations require several considerations that one must always keep in mind in a residential or commercial space. In addition to that, the installation must also be done by the British Standards and Building Codes required by UK law.
DIY installations lack these small details which may cause them to be inefficient in the long run and at worst, can also cause a slower Return on Investment (ROI) than installations done by a professional.
Read below to learn more about solar system installation, what goes into a proper installation, and if DIY installations are worth it.
We get it, DIY projects are enticing and very rewarding. However, not everything can be DIYed. Solar installations require sourcing of materials including panels, batteries, infrastructure, and much more. Even if you do your thorough research, you may end up buying more expensive materials than if you were to get them from a licensed installer who can provide you with wholesale rates through several partner deals.
Furthermore, the installation itself requires considerable technical knowledge. Solar installations aren’t as simple as hooking the panels up and running a wire through them to a battery!
The panels themselves need to be positioned and placed securely in the correct space, ideally in an area that sees plenty of sunlight. The wiring must be done according to strict standards, and depending on the type of system, you will also have to deeply integrate the installation with the main power box in your home.
These technicalities not only make DIY installations risky, but also dangerous since any wrong move or omission can result in possible injuries, fires, and damage to property and/or life.
This is why DIY solar installations must always be left to professionals who have plenty of experience and the right certifications to execute the work. On top of that, professional installers will also provide you with a certificate that you can hold as a guarantee of the work – so if a problem does arise in the future, you can simply have it checked and corrected by the original installer.
All these factors make professional installation more efficient and effective in the long run! Sure, these installations may cost slightly more than the DIY route, but if you conduct a risk assessment and weigh the pros and cons, the professional installation will make more sense and end up costing you less in the long run.
Solar systems are the best thing that you can install on your property. These systems have no mechanical or moving parts, are clean, simple, and provide continued benefits.
However, these systems are highly intricate and have several factors that need attention. Let’s go over some of the most important components and how professional installation can help you get the most out of them:
Solar panels are the heart and soul of the installation. Solar panels consist of several sections of “cells” made from specialised material. When sunlight hits this material, it reacts with the molecular structure of the cells to produce electricity. This electricity then travels down a wire to an inverter where it is processed from DC to AC and then stored in batteries.
The panels are arranged in various configurations and professional installers use data from surveys that they will conduct on your property to determine the right place and position of the panels. As mentioned above, poorly placed panels will not only result in inefficiencies but will also affect the Return on Investment (ROI) for your installation.
The panels are secured using specialised infrastructure that is designed to hold the panel in place and account for gusts of wind and other environmental factors. The frame is made of steel and is custom-built according to the size and number of panels.
The infrastructure itself requires quite a bit of engineering since it needs to always hold the panels in place. For example, in 2024, tropical storm, Beryl, caused very high winds in Texas, USA which resulted in a few solar panels being ripped from their frame due to instability of the frame and poor installation. Whether these installations were DIY is up for debate, but one thing is sure: improperly installed panels will always expose you to the risk of loss!
Professionally installed panels use clever frame designs that allow for wind to cross through while keeping the centre of gravity locked in place. This provides extra stability and significantly reduces the risk of the panels falling over cars, your property, or worse, a person.
Ultimately, since solar systems can cost quite a lot of money, it’s better to go with a professional installer who can guarantee a strong infrastructure for your investment.
The inverter and wiring are the main parts of the electrical components in a solar installation. The inverter is a device that converts Direct Current (DC) to Alternating Current (AC) using electrical wizardry. These devices use clever mechanisms that are far too technical for a layman! Just getting the right inverter can be extremely tricky, let alone optimising it to work according to your solar setup.
Professional installers use their vast experience and technical knowledge to find the right type of inverter that can handle the incoming load from the panels. Furthermore, the additional safety components installed for the inverter are also equally important.
Without these redundant safety measures, the system can be at risk of a surge, and in worst cases, degradation of components through the generation of excess heat.
The batteries, as you can imagine, are a crucial component of the solar system. Batteries are what enable solar systems to store energy that can be used later, like at night or during an outage.
Some solar systems can be direct, meaning that they directly supply power to the main power system in your property without storing it. However, most people go with batteries so that the system can use solar power even after the sun sets.
The type of battery, the configuration of the battery, and the electrical equipment required to maintain the battery are just some of the things to keep in mind when installing a solar system – and the only way to be sure that you get everything right is to go with a professional rather than the DIY route.
Even though these systems don’t have moving parts like generators, they still require periodic maintenance. The key difference is that solar systems are easier to manage and only require monitoring and cleaning.
The panels need to be cleaned of debris so that they can generate electricity efficiently. Furthermore, most solar systems are equipped with an onboard processing unit that monitors the inverter and the battery’s health.
These maintenance tasks must always be performed by a professional since only they have the experience and expertise to spot problems. For example, if you monitor the system yourself, you may not know enough to spot potential problems or inefficiencies in the system, however, a professional will use industry standards and a benchmark to determine the overall health of your system. They will also take measures to tune the system so that it works more efficiently, leading to better power generation and ROI.
If you are convinced that you need professional help for your solar installation, then you have made the right decision. Here are some tips on how you can get the right professional for the job:
If you want to feel ownership of the installation, then the next best thing you can do is conduct self-research on the right installation company.
Customer reviews are by far the best way to find the right company for the job. They can help you shortlist the right type of company for the job. Always sort companies by first checking the 1-star of negative reviews. These reviews can highlight the shortcomings of the company and help you determine deal-breaking factors that you can avoid. For example, a 1-star review can highlight how the company did the right installation but lacked post-installation services. This is an automatic dealbreaker since you would need to find a company that provides end-to-end services.
We also recommend that you look out for the seriousness of these issues in 1-star reviews. The important thing is whether the company took steps to help the customer and the nature of the issues. For example, some people may tinker with the installation themselves after having it installed properly, which can result in inefficiencies! So, technically, these types of issues aren’t the installer’s fault.
If the worst review you can find is related to relatively high costs or issues stemming from customer tampering, then the company might be worth checking out.
We also recommend that you ask around in your neighbourhood. If there are properties with solar installations nearby, we suggest that you talk to them about their experience and whether they are satisfied with the installation. This can quickly help you to find the right company that can provide you with a similar long-term installation.
Professional solar installation companies, like Calder Electrical, are accredited, experienced, and follow strict standards according to all the safety and building laws.
When you have finalised at least three solar installation companies, check out their websites to find out whether they have the necessary accreditations. Professional companies are accredited by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme. This accreditation guarantees that the company provides quality installations and follows industry standards.
The installer may also be accredited by the Renewable Energy Consumer Code which offers additional support and protection for customers.
Solar systems aren’t cheap. Depending on your requirements, the type of system, and your expectations from the installation, these systems can cost quite a lot, often in thousands of pounds! The good news is that solar technology has come down in pricing over the years due to advancements but you should still be wary of your wish list and make sure you have the budget for the type of installation that you want.
We recommend speaking to representatives of the installation company to determine the overall cost estimates for your dream installation. Keep in mind that the type and number of solar panels, solar battery storage system, electrical components, and labour time will affect the installation cost.
Always ask for a detailed quote so that you can compare the pricing with other installers. It is worth mentioning that Calder Electrical offers inspection services where a technician can visit your premises, talk to you about your expectations, and figure out a budget-friendly solar system for your needs.
Post-installation services are extremely important for these types of installations. Always go with installation companies that emphasise customer service. Once the installation is done, there is very little that you will need to do as the system will handle everything. However, the installation will require periodic monitoring and maintenance, as discussed above.
If the installation faces an issue, the installation company must be able to send out a technician to address the problem without causing any disruption in power generation.
Transparency is key in professional installations. Since property owners lack technical knowledge, professional installers need to convey the details of the project using simple terms and language. They must also be able to provide detailed information about each phase of the installation so that you are always in the know.
For example, Calder Electrical trains its installers to constantly update the property owner and inform them of each phase of the installation. On top of this, the company also uses clear and transparent paperwork and contracts. Property owners can also take part in the installation by providing their input and the company can try to work their recommendations into the installation if possible.
For example, you may suggest that the components be installed in a certain way that makes them easier to access for every person on the property. If your suggestion is feasible, the company will act on it and make it happen!
In summary, solar installations are not a great DIY project. They are far too complicated and require a robust installation for long-term benefits. These systems need to be installed only once, so the installation must be perfect. So, always go with professional help and leave the (rare) problems that may arise in the future to the professionals.
Calder Electrical Services provides a wide range of solutions to help you play your part in making the world a more sustainable place.
If you wish to have solar panels installed on your residential or commercial property, our experts can conduct a site visit to determine your requirements and propose the best type of solar system for your needs.
We also offer solar battery storage installation so that you can minimise any wastage of the energy you create. This will help lower your energy bills and make you more independent from the grid.
We have been providing electrical services to residential, commercial, and industrial properties for over 40 years and are specialists in all aspects of electrical installations, maintenance, and testing.
All our work is fully insured and meets the current regulations and standards set by the NICEIC. Also, all the notifiable work is signed off by the local authorities.
Contact us here or call us at 0800 612 3001 to get in touch with our professional electricians for more information on the different types of solar panels and battery storage options.
Photo by Raze Solar on Unsplash
