Domestic Solar FAQs

Roof suitability depends on a number of factors including orientation, pitch angle, shading from trees or nearby buildings, roof condition, structural suitability, available panel area, and access. South-facing roofs in the UK typically offer the best solar generation potential, but south-east and south-west orientations are also often suitable. A proper survey review of your specific roof is needed to confirm suitability — general statements about most roofs being suitable are not reliable guidance for individual properties.

Solar panels can generate electricity in cloudy or overcast conditions, but at reduced levels compared to direct sunlight. The UK receives sufficient solar irradiance to make solar PV viable in most areas, but actual generation depends on your specific location, roof orientation, shading, panel type, and system design. Generation estimates for UK properties typically assume average irradiance data for the relevant location — not continuous sunshine.

Solar panels can reduce the amount of grid electricity you import by allowing you to use solar-generated electricity during daylight hours. The extent to which bills are reduced depends on your household's electricity usage patterns, how much of the solar generation you self-consume (use directly), your current tariff rates, whether you have battery storage, and grid export arrangements. Bill reductions are not guaranteed and vary significantly between households.

No. Solar generation, savings, payback periods, export income, and energy cost reductions are not guaranteed. Estimated performance depends on assumptions about weather, shading, usage patterns, energy prices, tariff rules, export rates, roof conditions, system size, battery use, and equipment performance. These assumptions may differ from real-world outcomes.

Home battery storage stores surplus solar electricity generated during the day for use later — typically in the evenings or overnight when solar panels are not generating. Battery storage can improve self-consumption for households with evening or overnight electricity demand, but it is not always the right solution for every household or budget. Whether battery storage is appropriate for your home depends on your usage patterns, solar system design, budget, and electrical setup.

Not necessarily. Many home battery systems do not automatically provide whole-home backup power during a grid outage. Backup capability depends entirely on the specific battery product and inverter type. Some products offer limited backup for certain circuits; others require additional hardware; and some do not offer backup at all. Backup capability should never be assumed — always confirm the specific capability of any product you are considering before purchase.

Most domestic solar PV installations in England fall under permitted development rights and do not require planning permission, provided certain conditions are met — including that panels do not protrude significantly beyond the roof plane, are not installed on certain types of listed buildings, and the property is not in a designated area where restrictions apply. Conservation areas, listed buildings, some estates, and properties with specific planning conditions may require planning permission. Always check with your local planning authority if you are unsure about your specific property's status.

A solar survey reviews your property's roof — including condition, orientation, pitch, available panel area, and shading sources — alongside the electrical setup (consumer unit, meter, wiring), access requirements, and any known planning considerations. The survey provides the information needed to design a system appropriate for your specific home. Recommendations are not confirmed without this review.

Installation duration depends on system size, roof complexity, scaffolding requirements, access, and electrical setup. Simple installations can often be completed in one or two days of on-site work. However, total project timescale includes enquiry, survey, design, equipment ordering, scaffolding arrangement, installation, commissioning, and DNO notification — which collectively can take several weeks depending on lead times and availability. Installation timelines are not guaranteed.

The inverter is a core component of a solar PV system. It converts the direct current (DC) electricity generated by the solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity for use in your home. Different inverter types — string inverters, microinverters, and systems using power optimisers — suit different roof layouts, shading scenarios, and monitoring requirements. Inverter selection is part of the system design process.

Battery storage can be added to existing solar systems in many cases, but compatibility is not universal. The feasibility depends on your current inverter type and brand, whether an AC or DC-coupled battery is required, available installation space, electrical setup, and the age and condition of your existing system. A review of your existing installation is needed before confirming battery addition feasibility.

Existing solar systems can often be improved — through inverter replacement, battery addition, monitoring upgrades, or system expansion — but the scope of any upgrade depends on the current installation, equipment compatibility, electrical setup, and applicable DNO requirements. A review of your existing system is the starting point for any upgrade discussion.

Useful information for a solar enquiry includes your property postcode, approximate roof orientation (if known), any known shading sources, your average electricity bill or annual consumption (if you have it), whether battery storage or EV charging is of interest, any existing solar system details, budget guidance, and any known planning constraints or permissions relevant to your property.

Government grant schemes for solar panels change over time and are subject to availability, eligibility, and policy decisions outside Krisis Solar's control. Krisis Solar does not currently promote any specific government grant scheme. Export tariffs through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) are a separate commercial arrangement available through energy suppliers — not a government grant. Any claims about specific grant availability should be verified directly with the relevant scheme administrator.

MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) certification for the installation company is a requirement for eligibility for certain tariff schemes, including the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). MCS certification status should be confirmed directly with any installation company you engage. Krisis Solar does not make claims about MCS certification status on this website — please ask directly if relevant to your project.

Solar panel performance can be affected by soiling (dust, leaves, bird droppings), shading changes as trees grow or new buildings are constructed, panel degradation over time (panels typically lose a small percentage of output each year), inverter condition, wiring issues, and any damage from weather or physical impact. Regular monitoring helps identify performance changes that may warrant investigation.