Solar Panel FAQs

Most, but not all, properties are suitable for solar panel installation. We offer free no-obligation surveys to assess your roof suitability. We consider factors like roof size, orientation, and shade, to provide a quick, accurate estimation of the money you could save and generate.

Yes. There’s still a lot of misinformation about this. In the past, some companies would lease the panels to customers to reduce the initial upfront costs. There was a lot of justifiable negative press about homeowners tied into long contracts and/or being unable to sell their house. We don’t offer this and we don’t recommend it. We keep it simple, like our name implies. We put good panels on your roof, guaranteed for up to 15 years. You pay us a fair price for the service. And a typical installation starts paying for itself in 4-7 years. You own everything. No small print.

No. The opposite. A quality solar array fitted by reputable installers will increase the desirability of your home. Most prospective buyers are attracted by solar systems that cut their energy bills by up to £1400 a year!

No. This belief has again come about because of poor practice by some disreputable firms in the past. Correctly installed, a solar panel array is very low maintenance, the lowest of all forms of renewable energy. And in the rare event that something goes wrong, with our remote monitoring software we usually pick up the problem before you do.

No, it isn’t. There are no government grants dedicated to solar. Those adverts are just designed to get your details so you initially think you’ve qualified but then find out you’re not in the correct postcode. It’s all made up. At Simple Solar, we tell it to you straight. How much it will cost, how much you will save on your bills, and how quickly you’ll pay for the installation through those savings.

It’s true that the government has ended their ‘Feed in Tariff’ scheme which was extremely generous in the early years. However, it has been replaced by the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) which still means energy companies will pay you for any excess energy you generate back to the grid. Additionally, the cost of solar panels has decreased while their efficiency has increased. This means that an average 3-4 bed home will pay roughly £5000 for their installation and pay it off between 4-7 years through savings on utility bills.

The cost of a solar panel system depends on the size of the system you need. Prices start at about £4,000-£5,000 for an average 2-3 bedroom home. We offer a free quote and can help you with financing if your budget requires it.

At Simple Solar, we only use high-quality solar panels from reputable brands that are known for their efficiency and durability. We will provide you with detailed information about the specific brands suitable for your installation during your consultation.

Yes, we do. Battery storage allows you to store excess solar energy generated during the day so you can use it at night or on cloudy days. However, the extra cost can put some people off solar altogether so we don’t push this as something you really ought to have. We’ve found that for many customers a straightforward, high quality array of panels is all they need to get a fast return on their investment and start saving.

A typical solar panel installation with Simple Solar takes 1-3 days, depending on the size and complexity of your system. We will work with you to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

Yes, we take care of everything. A structural survey where necessary, scaffolding, electrical works, panel and inverter installation, followed by full testing and commissioning of the system.

We carry out a loading report on each job to work out how much weight will be added to your roof. 90% of the time there is no issue. However, if we need to strengthen a roof we have the teams to do it and we get a full report from a structural engineer to ensure the job is done safely and to regulations.

We aim to get scaffolding down within a couple of days of completion but it can take up to a week.

We can normally issue you an MCS certificate within a few hours, but it can take up to 2 working days. You’ll need this certificate to set up your Smart Export Guarantee with your energy supplier. For more information about being paid for excess energy under the SEG, visit this page.

Yes we do. Though they can be a little dearer, many people prefer the look, as the panels sit flush with the roof. This is a particularly good option if you need a new roof anyway, or you’re building an extension. The extra cost is largely offset by savings on roofing materials as your panels effectively become part of your roof.

It depends. There’s a lot of misinformation about Bloomberg’s Tier 1 Solar Modules. Some companies will say it’s a rating that guides you to the best solar products but this simply isn’t true. The rating applies to the financials of the company, not the products themselves. Bloomberg themselves state that the system should not be used as a badge of quality. So, Tier 1 is no guarantee of the best solar panel for you. We work closely with you to offer the best value system on the market that suits your needs.