Table of Contents
Solar installation is far from a mere DIY project. While it may look easy on paper, hooking up solar panels to an inverter and a battery pack is not as easy as it may seem.
There are a lot of minute electrical components, electric wiring, fault protection units, and infrastructure considerations that one must take into account while installing a solar system in a residential or commercial space. The installation must also be done by the British Standards and Building Codes required by UK law.
This is why it is always better to go for a professional installation company to get the job done in the least amount of time and within the budget.
Read below to learn more about solar system installation, what goes into a proper installation, and how to choose a reliable solar installation company.
Solar systems are designed to be efficient. With virtually no moving parts, these installations are clean, simple, and provide lasting benefits. However, just like any other electrical installation, solar systems also require quite a lot of technical knowledge and more importantly, experience.
There are several components of a typical solar system. Let’s go over a few of them:
Solar panels make up the majority of the installation. These panels are made from special materials and have multiple individual flat “cells” on each panel. When exposed to sunlight, chemical reactions within the cells create electricity. It is this electricity that is then collected, processed, and stored in batteries.
The panels are arranged in various configurations, but the key point is that these panels need to be optimally placed so that they are fully exposed to the sun during daylight.
Poorly placing the panels can cause inefficiencies and a poor Return on Investment (ROI) on your installation.
Solar systems use a basic infrastructure to hold the panels up. However, the metal frame needs to be properly grounded and extremely stable. In 2024, tropical storm Beryl caused very high winds in Texas, USA, and while high winds are not a danger for properly installed panels, there were reports of a few solar panels being ripped from their frame due to instability of the frame and poor installation.
This is the worst-case scenario and since solar systems can cost quite a lot of money, it’s better to go with a professional installer to guarantee a strong infrastructure for your investment.
The inverter and wiring make up the bulk of the electrical components in a solar installation. The inverter is a device that converts the Direct Current (DC) coming from the panels to Alternating Current (AC) which is compatible with modern appliances.
Getting the right inverter and optimising it to work according to your solar setup is crucial if you want the most out of your solar installation. The wiring should also be adequate for handling the load required for the solar installation.
Solar systems also require a few redundant measures to ensure the safety of the system, so that even in the rare event of a surge, the components are safe from electrical damage.
The batteries are the heart of the solar system. While some systems can be direct, most of them are equipped with batteries so that the system can draw 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.
Finally, when everything is in place, the system will require periodic maintenance in the form of monitoring and cleaning. Solar systems require minimal maintenance – all you need to do is monitor the efficiency of the system, keep an eye on the battery’s health, and clean the solar panels so that they are free from dirt/debris.
These tasks should always be performed by a professional since they have the experience and expertise to spot problems even if they aren’t apparent.
Here are a few useful tips to help you pick the right solar installation company:
The best way to figure out the right company is to begin with customer reviews.
Customer reviews are the default way people purchase goods and services over the internet. By relying on a company’s experience, reviews, and customer recommendations, you can narrow down the right solar company for your needs.
We recommend that you start with the bottom-up approach where you would pick at least three to five companies online. Then, check out the reviews of the company and sort the reviews so that the 1-star/3-star or bad reviews come up on top.
These low reviews are useful because they can help illustrate what the company did wrong to mess up the installation. For example, some bad reviews can help reveal labour issues or even technical issues.
We recommend that you look out for the seriousness of these issues and whether the company took remedial action to fix them. If the worst review you can find is related to costs or mild labour issues that were later compensated, then the company might be worth checking out!
Furthermore, it is also best that you talk to people who have had successful and long-term installations at their properties. These people can help you find the right people for your solar installation and may even be able to give you tips on how to get the most out of the installation.
Professional solar installation companies, like Calder Electrical, are accredited, experienced, and follow strict standards according to all the safety and building laws. Check the website of the shortlisted companies to find the necessary accreditations.
For example, you must ensure that the company is accredited by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme. This accreditation guarantees that the company provides quality installations and follows industry standards.
The company can also be accredited with the Renewable Energy Consumer Code which offers additional support and protection for customers.
Finally, search for the portfolio of the company. A professional company will have a successful track record of projects and even some high-level corporate clients under their belt.
Most companies call themselves “professionals” but lack the technical knowledge to execute installations according to the needs of the customer. Make sure that the company has a customer-first approach where they work with you to get the right installation instead of just taking over the project and omitting your recommendations and expectations.
Again, we recommend that you check the experience of the company. Most professional companies have experience in handling a variety of installations with various technicalities.
Solar installations should come with warranties and guarantees. A properly installed system can last about 25 years – this is also usually the warranty on the solar panels.
Properly installed systems can last up to two to three decades and only require a periodic replacement of the batteries.
Most professional companies are confident in their services and have the financial stability to remain in business for decades. Pick a company that has been around for at least five years to be on the safe side. Furthermore, ask about the warranty and guarantee policies of the company so that you and the company are on the same page.
On average, a professional company should be able to provide you with up to a 5-to-10-year warranty on the installation itself.
Budget is crucial for any solar system. While solar technology has come down in pricing over the years due to advancements in technology and materials, they can still be quite expensive depending on your requirements.
The type and number of solar panels, solar battery storage system, and electrical components you utilise will have a direct impact on the installation cost.
We recommend that you ask for a detailed quote so that you can compare the pricing for every shortlisted company. For example, 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.
Customer service should be your top priority. Companies that have a customer-first approach will always put your needs forward. This means that they will commit to the timelines set by all parties and provide you with a working solar system that fits your needs.
In the case of a problem, the company should be able to address the issue promptly without causing any disruption. Keep in mind that the quality of customer service also dictates the quality of the maintenance that the company provides.
Professional electrical installation companies, like Calder Electrical, have nothing to hide and will have clear and transparent paperwork and contracts.
This is extremely important because some companies, although cheaper, will get work done and may not respond to issues in the installation down the road due to certain clauses in the contract. This is a classic fraud where the company tries to push the issues under the “damage caused by the customer” clause. When this happens, the company simply says that you will have to pay extra for the repairs from your own pocket, even if you haven’t tampered with the system!
Most professional companies provide end-to-end services where they will source all the materials themselves and provide you with a budget-friendly solution.
If a freelance contractor or technical asks you to pick the equipment yourself, then chances are that you will end up losing more money since you will have to research everything and get the quotations on all the individual components yourself.
A professional company, like Calder Electrical, will use its network of vendors and relations to negotiate better rates and get you all the components within a reasonable timeframe. Furthermore, the company will also include warranties for all the items purchased so that you can remain protected.
The overall cost for a professional solar panel installation depends on several factors, but on average, you can expect a typical 250W solar panel to cost around £400 to £500.
The most basic system starts at around 4kW, costs approximately £6,400, and covers around 29 square metres of the rooftop.
As you can imagine, the bigger the system and requirements, the higher the cost you can expect. The labour costs increase with the number of panels and batteries you add to the system. So apart from the solar battery, panel, and equipment cost, you should also factor in the overall labour cost.
The batteries can cost up to £500 – £1,000 per kWh storage capacity. This cost is for lithium-ion batteries which provide a long-term charging cycle (battery life) and are more efficient than lead-acid batteries.
Furthermore, the annual maintenance costs can range from £500 to £2,000 depending on your setup. Maintenance is important and if you want the system to remain operational and at 100% efficiency, then you will need a maintenance contract. Most professional installation companies, like Calder Electrical, provide transparent maintenance services that can help you get the most out of the installation.
Here are some key benefits of investing in solar panels:
Installing a solar system can be costly, but the good news is that you can earn back your initial investment in the form of savings due to reduced electricity bills and by selling excess energy back to the grid. This process is called net metering and allows people to sell excess energy, for example, during the winter, and earn even more credit on their electricity bill. We recommend that you contact Calder Electrical to learn how you can enable and manage net metering.
Solar energy is clean, renewable, and eco-friendly. By installing a solar system at your business or home, you can significantly cut down on your carbon footprint and make a positive impact on the environment.
Solar systems are modular, meaning that you can add on to the initial installation later if you need more energy. Furthermore, the system is designed to be set up in any way you like. For example, you can install the system on rooftops or spare land. The only requirement is that the area must be exposed to sunlight during the daytime.
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 Michael Roberts on Unsplash
