Supply-only solar electricity
Compare Supply-only Solar Electricity Prices Near You
Average Supply-only solar electricity cost
The average cost of Supply-only solar electricity is £3250. Costs alter based on the materials and the company chosen. The upper price range can be as high as £4875. The material costs are mainly about £3200
Average price per Supply-only solar electricity job in 2024
Avg. price low | Avg. price low |
---|---|
Avg. price | Avg. price |
Avg. price high | Avg. price high |
£3100
£2325
£1550
£775
£0
Supply-only solar electricity installation cost in your area 2024
Material cost | £3,200 | |
Waste removal | £50 |
Supply-only solar electricity Manufacturers
Supply-only solar electricity FAQs
Yes – solar panels do work in winter. Contrary to popular belief, solar panels can still work under daylight, even if it's not hot. Of course, they won’t generate as much electricity as they would during the summer months, as the days are shorter, but they will still generate electricity during those daylight hours.
Once you know how solar panels work, it’s easy to understand why solar panels work in the winter. Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells, which are units usually made out of silicon. These cells contain electrons that create energy when light hits them. The cell can then convert this energy into usable electric current and into your system to be used around the home.
Although it might seem strange, solar PV cells can actually work better when it’s cold. Too much heat around the cell can cause it to be inefficient, due to the difference in energy between the energy from the sunlight and the electrons in the solar cell. During cold weather, the difference between them is higher, so more
The higher the energy difference between the two sets of energy sources, the more power that the cell can produce when it’s struck by light. Of course, the downside is that there are fewer daylight hours in the winter, so you’ll still see a drop in energy production – but at least you know that your solar panels are still working efficiently. The other thing to bear in mind is that obstructions like snow and lots of cloud cover will impact the amount of electricity your solar panels will produce. Luckily the UK doesn’t get too much heavy snow, so any snow that does settle on the panels will melt quickly. As for cloud cover, even on exceptionally cloudy days your panels will still generate some electricity – just not as much as they would on a clear day.
In theory, you can fit solar panels yourself. In practice, it’s worth leaving it up to the professionals.
If you get DIY solar panels and install them on your roof yourself, you won’t be able to apply for the government-backed Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). The SEG pays you for every unit of electricity you generate and send back to the grid, so it’s a scheme well worth signing up for. However, you must have your solar panels installed by a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)-registered engineer or company, so you’ll miss out if you install the solar panels by yourself.
The other thing to consider about installing solar panels yourself is that you’re dealing with electricity. Electricity is extremely dangerous if handled incorrectly, so if you don’t have any qualifications in working with electricity you could be putting yourself and your family at risk. Connecting DIY solar panels yourself and doing it incorrectly could mean that you give yourself an electric shock or cause a fire. If your home is damaged due to a fire caused by solar panels you’ve installed yourself, it’s unlikely that your home insurance company would pay out.
Before having a go at installing your own solar panels, do some quick sums to see how much money it could really save you. A 3.5kW DIY solar panel kit will cost around £4,000-5,000. According to the Energy Saving Trust, a home in the South East of England where most occupants are out all day until 6pm would save around £100 a year on their electricity bills. That means that you wouldn’t break even until 40 years, but solar panels last around 25 years on average. However, if you have your solar panels installed by an MCS-registered installer and they cost £4,500, you could save £220 a year including your SEG payments. That brings the payback time to around 20 years.
So although the initial outlay is slightly less when you install solar panels yourself, it’s much better to have them installed by an MCS-registered engineer so you can take advantage of the SEG payments.
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.
If you want to connect solar panels to a battery, it’s likely that it’s because you want to make sure that you don’t waste any electricity when your solar panels are generating energy but you’re not around to use it. Batteries are particularly useful for homeowners that have solar panels but are out during daylight hours; with a solar battery system, your solar panels will feed the electricity they generate into the battery for you to use when you get home.
If you want to connect your solar panels to a battery, the best thing to do is to get in touch with an MCS-registered company who can talk you through your options. There are different size batteries and the size that’s suitable for you will depend on how much electricity you plan to store and how large your solar panel system is. Some of the top brands of battery storage system include Tesla, SunPower and SolarEdge. If you want to be able to take advantage of selling electricity back to the grid through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), it’s worth getting an MCS-registered company to install your battery for you, as you may not be eligible for payments if you connect your solar panels to a battery yourself.
You should also consider whether your solar panel system is a ‘storage ready’ solar system. Today, most systems will be, since battery storage is becoming much more common. This means that your solar panel system will have an inverter that can easily integrate a battery. If this is the case, you should be able to purchase the battery you want and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install it.
However, it’s worth bearing in mind that electricity is extremely dangerous when handled incorrectly. If something goes wrong, you could electrocute yourself or cause a fire. If your solar panels and battery cause a fire, it’s unlikely that your home insurance company would pay out if you connect the battery yourself. That's why it’s best to ask a reputable installer with all the correct qualifications to connect your solar panels to a battery for you.
- 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.
Do It Yourself Solar Power? - Easy DIY Solar Panel Installation!
Our reviews
Average
Latest supply-only solar electricity reviews
HIPPO
Based: in Portsmouth, PO6HIPPO’s mission is to be the UK’s leading rubbish clearance provider, delivering outstanding ser...
Latest review
David S., BA4
20th September 2022
Waste | Skip Hire in Shepton Mallet
Quick service and fast convenient collection. Very adaptable to our needs. Excellent ...
UK Fascias
Based: in Bridgwater, TA7UK Fascias is based in Bridgwater and have 52 positive reviews
Latest review
Karen E., BA4
22nd June 2018
Roofline | Soffits / Fascias in Shepton Mallet
Sent photos and did quote over the phone
Project Solar
Based: in Needwood, DE13We are one of the biggest and most experienced installers in the UK. Life time and 25 year (25 year ...
Latest review
Sheila B., BA4
31st October 2017
Solar Panels | Solar Electricity in Shepton Mallet
All companies called and left their contact details, explaining what they could do so...
Bird Heating (Sw)
Based: in Weston-super-mare, BS24Bird Heating sw ltd is a family run business and has over 20 years experience of providing a profe...
Latest review
Susan C., BA4
7th November 2016
Heating | Gas | Boiler Replacement in Shepton Mallet
Excellent throughout, pr, estimate, fitting boiler and explaining how it all works. ...
Energy Installs SW (Solar)
Based: in Bristol, BS40Energy Installs SW (Solar) is based in Bristol and have 1 positive reviews
Latest review
Doreen B., BA4
22nd March 2016
Solar Panels | Solar Electricity in Shepton Mallet
helpful and efficient
Rated Local solar panel installers
Similar Customer Enquiries for Supply-only solar electricity
Waste | Skip Hire
Shepton Mallet - BA4
Enquiry from: Katie H
Start Date: Immediate
Dispose of contents of property, kitchen units, wood flooring, table, chairs sofas etc after house flood.
Waste | Skip Hire
Shepton Mallet - BA4
Enquiry from: Lucy S
Start Date: Immediate
4 yard skip quote mixed waste
Waste | Skip Hire
Shepton Mallet - BA4
Enquiry from: AMANDA E
Start Date: Immediate
to get rid of a *** shed and plastic base, a wooden bench, a single divan bed base, an undercounter fridge and undercounter freezer
Garden | Maintenance & Upkeep
Shepton Mallet - BA4
Enquiry from: Martin L
Start Date: Immediate
Lawn mowing. We have recently moved in to the property and do not have a lawn mower as yet.
Solar Panels | Solar Electricity
Shepton Mallet - BA4
Enquiry from: Caroline G
Start Date: Immediate
Caroline Gent
Cleaning | Driveway / Decking
Shepton Mallet - BA4
Enquiry from: Caroline G
Start Date: Immediate
I would love a family.
Heating | Oil | Boiler Repair / Service
Shepton Mallet - BA4
Enquiry from: Lawrence B
Start Date: Immediate
Oil pipes from tank to boiler quote.
Heating | Air Source Heatpumps
Shepton Mallet - BA4
Enquiry from: Janet F
Start Date: Immediate
Call back anytime. Type of building: Detached Number of bedrooms: 3 Mains Gas available: Yes Age of Boiler (years): 8 How became interested in heat pump: Save Money Quote requested on air sou...
Waste | Skip Hire
Shepton Mallet - BA4
Enquiry from: Tyrone H
Start Date: Immediate
House hold waste wardrobes and other tat just clearing out
Building work | Damp Proofing
Shepton Mallet - BA4
Enquiry from: Luke S
Start Date: Immediate
The wall in the living room is showing bubbly plaster and I expect it’s damp. Wound like a consultation and quote for a fix
Waste | Skip Hire
Shepton Mallet - BA4
Enquiry from: Stephen C
Start Date: Immediate
we need a 5 yard slip delivered asap please. can you please advise if earliest problem delivery date. thanks. are you the property owner: owner of the property what size skip do you require: medium sk...
Building work | Damp Proofing
Shepton Mallet - BA4
Enquiry from: Sophie F
Start Date: Immediate
damp proofing and solving rising damp issue are you the property owner: owner of the property how many rooms do you need damp proofing: 5+ rooms property type: detached please call to appoint
Insulation | Loft / Roof
Shepton Mallet - BA4
Enquiry from: Richard H
Start Date: Immediate
Our loft insulation is old fibreglass which a recent survey (2019) says is not up to standard. The loft is 92 m2 and the house e is listed, so no foam. We need the old insulation removed and new insul...
Asbestos | Removal
Shepton Mallet - BA4
Enquiry from: Mandy A
Start Date: Immediate
Inspection of shed roof which is Chrysotile to ascertain if it can be left in situ
Waste | Skip Hire
Shepton Mallet - BA4
Enquiry from: Scott H
Start Date: Immediate
Either a 4 or 6 yard drop front skip please, ideally delivered today if possible
Waste | Skip Hire
Shepton Mallet - BA4
Enquiry from: Andrew R
Start Date: Immediate
6 yard skip mixed wood metal slabs garden wast
Carpentry
Shepton Mallet - BA4
Enquiry from: Elizabeth J
Start Date: Immediate
Painting & decorating 2 bedrooms, stairwell, living room. Painting some Outside windows.
Tree Surgery
Shepton Mallet - BA4
Enquiry from: Lisa P
Start Date: Immediate
Please could you confirm by reply whether you are interested in quoting for our annual tree works in Coxley, Dulcote & Wookey Hole? I will send out the specification by return, if you are intereste...
Tree Surgery
Shepton Mallet - BA4
Enquiry from: Maggie P
Start Date: Immediate
Hello, I have a Willow Tree that needs cutting back and reducing please. The tree has a preservation order but I have received permission from the council to cut it back. Thank You - Maggie
Tree Surgery
Shepton Mallet - BA4
Enquiry from: Pamela M
Start Date: Immediate
Hello, I have a large magnolia which I think needs pruning. Would you be able to quote me for this? I live in Evercreech and you have been to my house before to deal with a willow tree. Thank you. Pam...
How it works
Tell us about your Supply-only solar electricity project
Answer a few quick questions so we can match you with professionals who can help.
Find up to 4 Solar Panel Installers in your area
Get free, no-obligation quotes from 4 verified Solar Panel Installers working in your area.
Hire with confidence
Compare customer reviews, services and prices, and choose the right professional for you.