Solar Panel Installation

There are many well-known benefits to adding solar PV panels to your home, from savings on your energy bills to making your home more eco-friendly. Many homeowners considering solar panel installation at their home have questions about the installation process itself. Here at BTM Solutions Southend, our expert solar panel installers have put together this guide to answer all your questions about solar panel installation.  

Checking your home is suitable for solar panels

Before any work begins at your Southend home your solar PV panel installer will ensure your property is suitable for a solar panel installation. They will inspect your roof and rafters to make sure they are strong enough to support the weight of your new solar panels. Your solar panel electrician will also make sure your roof faces the correct direction and is at the right angle to generate sufficient power from a solar panel installation. Your solar panel electrician will also check that your fuse board will be able to safely carry the additional load from the installation. They will advise you if any alterations or updates are needed.

Solar Panel Installation Process

The solar panel installation process has several stages. These include:

• Scaffolding Erected – This is the first step in the installation process. Scaffolding allows your solar panel installer to safely access your roof. Scaffolding is generally erected a day or two before your solar panel installation begins.
• Roof Anchors Installed- Roof anchors will be attached to the rafters in your loft by your solar panel installer. They will carefully lift your roof tiles in order to do this. Roof anchors help to keep your solar panels securely attached through the worst weather.
• Solar Panel Mounts Attached – Attached to the roof anchors, solar panel mounts provide the framework your solar panels sit within. The angle they sit at will be adjusted by your solar panel installer to optimise your energy generation.
• Solar Panels Installed – The next step is to install your solar PV panels into their mounts. These will be adjusted before being fixed securely into their final position.
• Solar Inverter Installed - The solar inverter converts the energy your solar panels generate into useable AC electricity. Generally, this will be placed near to your fuse board for ease of connection. Your electrician will first connect the inverter to the solar panels and then to your fuse board. They will need to turn off the power whilst this is done.
• Test the system – Finally, your solar panel installation will be tested. Your electrician will restore power and check that each part of your installation is functioning correctly.

Solar PV panel installation usually takes around two days for the average property. This may not include the time spent with scaffolding erected. The type of property, complexity of the solar panel system and any adverse conditions can mean a lengthier installation. In general, your electricity will only need to be switched off for a few hours over this period. Once the installation has finished you will be generating clean, green solar electricity immediately.

BTM Solutions are your experienced trusted, local solar panel installers in Southend, Essex. Highly experienced in solar panel installation at various types of property, we are proud of our highly recommended 5-star service. If you are considering solar panel installation at your home in Southend, Essex call BTM Solutions. Our fully qualified, NICEIC registered electricians will be happy to answer all your questions. Call us today.