PV solar panels and solar heating installations for the UK

"Power My Home has consistantly been the UK's #1 self-determination resource since 2004.

I discovered solar panels when solar heating was popular in the early 2000s, but PV solar economics were not yet attractive. Today, with crazy geopolitics, this could be your moment to adopt. Economic downturns come and go, but energy price rises stay forever!

Interestingly, the UK's solar industry standards became a template for the world. I've personally highlighted safety and deployment issues while helping two decades of new adopters.

Onwards and upwards."

Stuart Lovatt
Creator of Power My Home.

"The installation of my solar panels was a good experience. The technicians were considerate and worked efficiently, leaving no mess. Do you know the benefits are even better than I thought, and now my electric company pays me, excellent!"
Mrs. Mathers, Derby.

PV solar panels

Existing adopters view solar panels as cheaper than the status quo.

Invest in your home and energy future with grid-connected PV (photovoltaic) solar panels with a typical life span of 25-40 years. These solar panels produce electricity through photovoltaic streaming.

On-grid means self-generated with a surplus to sell. Modern PV systems optimise output to feed ancillary storage or automatically export towards a tariff scheme. Any deficit in power generation automatically draws from your electricity supplier as per usual. PV solar panels will provide hassle-free benefits for decades to come.

PV solar storage options.

Generating power is only half the magic. The advent of various storage options brought photovoltaic solar panels into mainstream acceptance. PV solar storage options arrived on the scene in the form of battery storage, water tank heating, and the ability to charge a car added adoption options. Modern PV systems optimise electricity current into a multifaceted life-enhancing technology. Pick and mix storage options.

PV solar export tariffs.

When I first began my obsession with solar panels, the idea that you'd get paid for surplus was a mere pipedream. That dream did come true, and today, adopters enjoy an annual tariff deposit of hundreds of pounds for their astute decision to install.

The PV solar tariff scheme is a symbiotic success story for self-generators and energy companies. I never imagined that I'd see companies competing to offer more favourable rewards - yet here we are.

EMF shielding for solar panels.

We're the generation that played fast and loose with microwave frequencies. I'm the only person in the UK's solar industry who acknowledges that photovoltaic solar panels and modern batteries, including EV batteries emit more than comfortable levels.

Evacuated solar tubes

Evacuated solar tubes are the most efficient solar heating system. These vacuum tubes work all year round and can contribute around 65% of a home's annual hot water requirement.

The cost of a typical evacuated tube installation depends on several factors. Most installers recommend upgrading to a super-efficient storage tank for ultimate performance. Solar hot water systems offer lower gas or electricity consumption.

DIY solar panel kits.

The simplicity of solar heating systems makes them ideal for self-installation projects. If utilising a tank storage method (no combi) and you'd wish to modernise, possibly solar heating panels are a winning combination. For technically skilled, this would make a great weekend project, or work alongside a local tradesperson to complete aspects above your skill level. My guide to self-installing solar panels may help.

Solar heating panels

Solar heating panels have never made such financial sense. Thermal panels, known as solar heating panels, provide a secondary heating source for your hot water tank. These flat plate panels can contribute around 60% of a home's hot water requirement.

A solar heating panel installation is like converting a car into a hybrid. After the initial investment, your heating system will run efficiently and cheaply. March through to October, your boiler/immersion heater may not be required at all.

"After installing my solar PV solar system, it's been generating electricity without a hitch. The installation went smoothly and complete in less than a day. I've been tracking the system's performance daily and lighting up our evening with our battery storage.
Mr. Davidson, Exeter.

I invited the Residents Association and public viewings to encourage others to adopt. We're not the first solar PV installation in the area, but the only one with battery storage. I'm happy to discuss technology, life, and the universe with anyone who will listen.
Mr. Rothwell, Derby.

We export electricity daily, so we offset the cost of importing when the sun doesn't shine. From Stuart's recommendations, I've added some nifty gadgets to reduce my import rate further, and that's how I gained energy independence-ish."
Mr. Richards, Hampshire.

"This is a quick, short note to sum-up how we feel the installation went. You have all been professional, understanding, prompt, responsive, and diligent. We will willingly and happily recommend your company to friends and contacts in the future. It makes the whole project worthwhile."
Mr. Howard, Norfolk.

"Please accept our thanks for your valued assistance in achieving a happy outcome. You must feel free to use this message with any future prospective customers who may have doubts about the value of having solar panels installed."
Mr. Hurst, Redditch.

"May I take this opportunity to say how pleased we are with the photovoltaic solar panels that have now been in operation for two weeks? I know I have to average it out with the winter months, but in the last sunny four days and one cloudy day, five in total, which bodes well!"
Mr. Smethhurst, Chippenham.

"We're now self-sufficient in electricity, which was our target. We have been monitoring our meter and our record is 16.5 units in one day. Very promising."
Mrs. Taylor, Nuneaton.

"Keeping my money in the bank was giving me low returns, so I invested a small chunk of it, and now I get a great return and save money on bills too."
Mr. S Brown, Wallington.

Best of all is the joy of seeing the wheel on our mains electricity meter going backward! It makes the whole scheme worthwhile. It doesn't take a genius to work this out. I'm helping save the planet and getting a decent return on my investment."
Mr. Granger, Felixstowe.

"Polite and prompt responses to queries, Fitted by courteous and experienced tradesmen. Very pleased with the performance of the product."
Mr. Barney, Yorkshire.

"The solar tubes are excellent and produce today's bath water. The two workmen were superb. They are very friendly, very polite, and very efficient. Thank you."
Mrs. Skilbeck, Wirral.

"One advantage of installing the system is that it has made us much more conscious of electricity usage and hence has reduced our overall consumption significantly. Looking at the price difference between cost and selling. I am expecting very low bills for this year."
Mr. Benson, Chipping Norton.

"My evacuated tube system has worked well with little maintenance, and the gas bill went down. The UK's energy issues were climbing the agenda, and these were my deciding factors to put capital to use and install my photovoltaic system."
Mr. Davies, Hexham.

"We had evacuated tubes installed and think they are wonderful. They have provided hot water for most of the year. I love the look of them on my roof, and passers-by always comment on them when I am doing the garden. They certainly had the whole village talking about them for a while."
Mr. Shore, Lancaster.

"We've had PV panels for two years and have found excellent savings on our energy bills. Our grandchildren brag that granny has solar panels, and they're a great conversation starter when doing my gardening."
Mrs. Dougthwaite, Peterborough.

"Just a note to say how impressed we were with the enthusiasm of your installers. The system appears to perform better than I expected and great for January."
Mr. Huxtable, Hatfield.

"I am writing to commend the team that carried out the installation and your staff who handled the paperwork. We have had the solar panels for nearly two months now and found them to be as described at the time. The photovoltaics are working superbly, and we are producing every day. It's nice to think we are adding to the National Grid instead of taking."
John, Cirencester.

"I was surprised by how easy the installation process was. It was smooth and hassle-free. My thanks, a highly professional job on both occasions."
Mr. Jones, Northwich.

"The installation was complete with no mess or fuss. The installers were polite and very careful. Since the installation, the panels have generated far more than we've used. I'm happy and would not hesitate to recommend Stuart."
Mrs. Banks, Northwich.

"The bottom line is that we're very content that we decided to install our photovoltaic system. We aim to turn our home into a zero-energy cost project. Please accept our thanks for your valued assistance in achieving a happy outcome. You must feel free to use this message with any future prospective customers who may have doubts about the value of having solar panels installed."
Mrs. Philips, Bury St Edmunds.

"I was surprised by how easy the installation process was. It was smooth, easy, and hassle-free. My thanks, a highly professional job on both occasions."
Mr. Jones, Northwich.

"I would say the savings on water heating with solar tubes is around 60%. Dead simple technology too. Our unit is about 18 years old now and still going strong. It paid for itself in about five years."
Mr. Ellis, Plymouth.

"As a teacher, it amused me to receive a lesson about using the control panel for the central heating and hot water. We are now looking forward to a summer of no fuel bills. Or winters should also be fuel efficient now that we have solar panels and a wood burner."
Mr. Howse, Poole.

"Our solar panel system is on course to earn me the predicted revenue. Putting the purchase price into a saving account would produce little to nothing. The numbers speak for themselves. I'm proud to be the first on our street to install and reduce my bills. Happy to recommend."
Mr. Moussa, Yorkshire.

"I am writing to commend you. We had PV system for nearly two months, and they are working superbly and show we are on course to your predictions."
John Daniels, Cirencester.

"We have had our solar panels for almost two weeks now with power savings substantial already. The planning and installation were first class, and we would have no hesitation recommending."
JackandPippa, Birmingham.

"We chose photovoltaic solar panels beacuse we already have free hot water from an existing solar heating system. This PV system is truly making our home into a green home - and we feel proud that we're now on the way to becoming 80% energy independent-ish."
Mrs. Gregson, Weston-super-mare.

"Firstly, the team of fitters was superb, quick, efficient, and polite, and tidied up after they finished. After turning off our standard water heating system after the installation, and still had plenty of hot water. It works very well."
Mrs. Havers, Maidstone.

"My wife and I would like to express our satisfaction with our solar panels and say how delighted we are with our solar PV system. At every stage of the process, your staff and reps have been professional, knowledgeable, proactive, and helpful."
Mr. Williams, Bristol.

Firstly, the execution of the installation was flawless. Your upfront consultation was friendly, thorough and informative. After I'd taken the big step of saying "yes to solar" and parting with my money, I'm delighted and relieved to say that the survey and installation proceeded precisely to plan.
Mr. Sumpter, Warrington.

The installation team arrived roughly 30 minutes early and worked non-stop until the installation was up and running at 4pm, just in time for me to see the newly installed solar power meter display the first few watts of pure solar energy captured before the sun sank into the West for the night.
Mr. Siegfreid, Bath.

The panels look neat on my roof, there was no mess left to tidy up, and the new cable run from my roof was neatly done through my loft and then down the side of a gable soffit and into my meter cupboard.
Mr. Achrekar, Norfolk.

All well and good so far, but how has the system performed during its first week in winter? It's rained most of the time, the sky has varied from grey to light grey with only sporadic and intermittent bursts of what you might call winter sunshine. So far, so good, based on figures gleaned from staring at the meter during the last week.
Miss. Barker, Exeter.

The panels start generating not long after it gets light irrespective of whether its sunny (e.g. 30-100 watts at 8:15am) until the sky is reasonably light. On a really horrible, rainy dark day with black sky the numbers stay within this range. On a brighter greyish white cloud (and its only February), the system generates numbers in the range of 100-1000 watts depending o the exact hue of the sky and thickness of cloud cover.
Mr. MacCain, Newcastle.

The sun shining through lighter wispy clouds results in 2000-2700 watts and when the sun burst through a blue patch of sky then the solar system has generated up to 3500 watts, which is far better than I anticipated given the sun is so low in the sky in February. All figures are better in the afternoon than the morning due to the array facing South West. During the 7 days so far, 27 kWh has been generated, which given the weather has been abysmal, is not unreasonable.
Mr. Armstrong, Luton.

I believe from my own readings that a single sunny day in February will result in something like 12-15 kWh of energy generated and I am now looking forward to the longer brighter days later in the year. I believe therefore, I'm on track for the 160 kWh this month that was projected for my solar installation as part of the overall cost justification. I have contacted my energy supplier and completed there forms which they promptly sent me to register my solar panels and start receiving the feed in tariff reward. So far, everything is progressing just as was originally explained to me.
Mr. Collins, Liverpool.

In summary, and in today's world laden with potential frustrations, dangers and disappointments, my solar project has been a very pleasant experience so far, and I'm now looking forward to the financial rewards in the knowledge that along with other solar panel adopters, it can also hopefully make a positive difference to the environment and my pocket.
Dr. P (retired), Sussex.

"Thank you for your expertise and your quick response. I have to say that your installers are first-class workmen and I cannot fault their work in any way."
Mr. Driver, Yorkshire.

"I've been very impressed by my system since its installation six months ago. We have been watching temperatures from our evacuated tubes, and they have worked brilliantly even in some weather conditions you wouldn't expect anything."
Mr. Davidson, Great Yarmouth.

"The installation team was excellent and I'm pleased with their professionalism. It's a bit too soon to see how my system performs, but the first three days gave us plenty of hot water even when one of the three days was cloudy."
Mr. Yeadon, Uxbridge.

"Polite and prompt responses to queries, Fitted by courteous and experienced tradesmen. Very pleased with performance of product."
Mr Barney, Yorkshire.

"Equipment arrived on time, workmen good efficient, very happy with the suppliers."
Mr Roberts, Shropshire.

"Excellent, there was a small delay in delivery but the firm contacted me to advise and offered an alternative."
Mr Whiteway, Isle of Man.

"The quality of the solar kit is excellent. Thanks Stuart."
Mr Bird, Nottingham.

"The solar panels were good quality as promised and the installer nice and clean. A very helpful company and supplier."
Mr Smith, Swansea.

New world savvy.

"I've witnessed many fantastic changes, innovations, and installation companies come and go. My fellowship with ethically-minded MCS solar panel installers goes back decades. Today, I offer my experience to ensure you gain real independence from this crazy geopolitical world."

Stuart Lovatt
Power My Home Solar Panels
Sundial House, Panton Road, Chester CH2 3HX.
01244 722 607