Solar Panel Installation
Solar panel and battery installers, Scotland
Every household is currently feeling the squeeze with energy bills. Most worryingly, our political leaders can’t say for sure when the cost of living crisis will end or how bad it will get.
Uncertainty is the only thing of which we can be certain.
This is where Taylor Solar come in!
Solar panels combined with battery storage is the most straightforward way for most houses
to reduce the impact of high energy bills. The system works exactly as you would expect – the panels generate electricity throughout the daylight hours, when the household use is likely to be low. This electricity fills up the batteries which can then be drawn down through the evening period when household use is high.
When a system is specified correctly, a household can go for months without importing ANY electricity from the grid. In the right circumstances, overall bills can be cut by 75%!
With a few exceptions, most houses with a roof will be suitable for solar panels. The easiest way to know for sure is to get in touch and we can discuss this with you.
The Taylor Warranty
Taylor Roofs have thousands of happy customers all over Scotland, and you may well be one of them.
If you are considering solar panels but you are concerned about the validity of your ongoing warranty with Taylor Roofs, then you needn’t be. Provided your solar panel system is installed by Taylor Solar, your warranty with Taylor Roofs will not change.
In-Roof Solar Panels
When it is time to replace your roof, many homeowners want to take advantage of the opportunity to install ‘in-roof’ solar panels to their roof. Not many roofers will have the technical expertise to specify and install the correct system for the homeowners needs. Taylor Solar work in partnership with Taylor Roofs to ensure that the right system is specified and that it is expertly installed by trained roofers.
We are the preferred partners of Marley Tiles in Scotland. Their beautiful in-roof solar panel system has transformed the appearance of solar panels. If you are considering a new roof AND solar panels then get Taylor Solar to install this for you in partnership with Taylor Roofs.
Solar Panel FAQ's
Read some of our common questions at Taylor Solar
How much does solar cost?
This obviously depends on the size of the system and the complexity of the installation. However, a typical 4kW solar pv system with 10kWh battery storage will cost around £12,000.
How disruptive will the solar pv installation be?
The vast majority of the work will be on the roof so there will not be much internal disruption. There may be some internal work such as running of cables but this is always kept to a minimum. A small window of power outage will be required while working on the fuse board.
Will solar panels cut my energy bills?
Yes, installing solar panels can help to cut your energy bills. Solar panels generate electricity by converting sunlight into usable energy, which means you can use the energy produced by your solar panels to power your home appliances and reduce your dependence on the electricity grid.
When your solar panels produce more energy than your home needs, the excess energy can be sent back to the grid, and you may receive credit on your electricity bill. This process is called net metering and varies depending on your location and electricity provider.
However, the most effective use of the generated electricity is to store it in batteries and then use the electricity when needed-for most people, in the evening.
How long does the system take to pay for itself?
It varies according to a number of factors but an average would be around 8-10 years.
Do I need planning permission for solar panels in Scotland?
In Scotland, solar panel installation is permitted decelopment so planning permission is only required in special circumstances.
For residential properties, if your property is in a conservation area, a national park, or a listed building, then planning permission will be required.
If you plan to install ground-mounted solar panels or a large number of panels on your roof, you will likely need to obtain planning permission from your local planning authority. Additionally, if you’re in a flat or shared ownership property, you may need to get the permission of the building’s owner or management company.
Are solar panels worth having in Scotland?
Solar panels are definitely worth having in Scotland, despite its reputation for having less sunshine than other regions. Although Scotland may not receive as much sunshine as other parts of the world, it still has sufficient sunlight to generate a significant amount of electricity from solar panels.
The amount of electricity a solar panel can produce is affected by a range of factors, including the size and efficiency of the solar panel system, the amount of sunlight it receives, and the geographic location of the property and the pitch and angle of the roof. The Taylor Solar quoting process takes into account all of these factors and gives a very accurate calculation of how much electricity you can expect to generate and also how long it would take for an installed system to ‘pay for itself’ with the savings made.
In Scotland, solar panels can still generate a significant amount of electricity, particularly during the long summer days when daylight hours are at their longest. Homeowners with solar panels and batteries will often go months without importing electricity because of the electricity they are generating, storing and using.
While the electricity output may be marginally lower than in other areas with more sunshine, the cost of electricity in Scotland is as high as anywhere else and will go on increasing. This makes solar panels and batteries the single best option for most households to reduce their energy bills. Additionally, the Scottish government agency Home Energy Scotland has put in place an interest free loan, available to all homeowners and landlords in Scotland, to help cover the initial cost of installing solar panels and batteries.
Can I apply for a Home Energy Scotland loan?
If you are a homeowner or a landlord in Scotland, you are eligible to apply for a Home Energy Scotland loan to help finance energy-efficient improvements to your property.
The Home Energy Scotland loan is available to cover the cost of a range of energy-efficient measures, including insulation, heating systems, and renewable technologies such as solar panels. The loan offers a fixed interest rate and repayment terms of up to 12 years.
To be eligible for a Home Energy Scotland loan, you must meet certain criteria, including:
- You must be a homeowner or a private landlord in Scotland
- The property must be your primary residence or a rental property in Scotland
- You must have a satisfactory credit check
- You must have the means to repay the loan
To apply for a Home Energy Scotland loan, you can contact Home Energy Scotland directly by going to this webpage: https://www.homeenergyscotland.org/contact-advice-support-funding/
They will be able to provide you with more information about the loan and guide you through the application process.
I have a flat roof, can I still have solar panels installed?
Yes, it’s possible to install solar panels on a flat roof. In fact, flat roofs are often an excellent option for solar panel installations as they provide a flat and easily accessible surface for the panels.
There are two main types of solar panel installations for flat roofs: ballasted and anchored systems. A ballasted system involves using a weight to hold the solar panels in place, while an anchored system uses brackets to attach the panels to the roof.
A ballasted system is generally recommended for flat roofs as it is less invasive and does not require any penetrations in the roof. The weight of the solar panels and mounting structure is distributed evenly across the roof, and the panels are held in place by the weight of the ballast.
An anchored system, on the other hand, involves attaching the solar panels directly to the roof using brackets. This type of installation requires penetrations in the roof and may be more challenging to install and maintain, but it may be necessary in certain situations.
Taylor Solar can advise you on the best solar panel installation method for your flat roof and ensure that the installation is done safely and properly.
Can I get solar without batteries, or batteries without solar?
Yes to both.
What happens if something goes wrong after installation?
If anything goes wrong and it is our fault, we will come and fix it.
We purchase an insurance backed workmanship warranty of 2 years for all of our installations to back this up. Likewise, all of our products come with manufacturers warranties which will be detailed to the homeowner upon completion.