Your solar PV system, designed and fitted by award-winning Kent installers

In most cases, you don't need planning permission for solar panels on a domestic roof. In England, roof-mounted solar panels are usually classed as permitted development, which means you can install them without making a full planning application, as long as the system meets certain rules.

For pitched roofs, solar panels should not sit above the highest part of the roof, excluding the chimney, and should not project more than 200mm from the roof slope or wall. For flat roofs, the solar PV equipment must not be more than 600mm higher than the highest part of the roof.

You may need planning permission or prior approval if your property is:

• Listed
• Within the grounds of a listed building
• On a scheduled monument
• In a conservation area
• In a World Heritage Site

You may also need permission if the panels will be installed on a wall that faces a road.

Ground-mounted solar panels have their own rules too. These can cover the height, size, location, and number of panels allowed.

If in doubt, contact your local council.

Most solar panels last around 25 to 30 years, although they can often continue generating electricity after that. Their output gradually reduces over time, so older panels may produce less power than they did when they were first installed.

Many solar panels come with long performance warranties, often around 25 years, although this varies by manufacturer. A good installation, regular checks, and keeping the panels clear of heavy dirt or debris can help them work well for longer.

In simple terms, solar panels are a long-term investment. They should keep producing electricity for decades, but their efficiency will slowly decline over their lifespan.

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Most domestic solar panel installations take 1 or 2 days once the survey, design, and scaffolding are complete.

A simple solar PV system can often be fitted in a day. Larger systems, complex roofs, or installations that include a solar battery may take a little longer.

The wider process usually takes more time than the fitting itself, as your installer will need to survey your home, design the system, arrange scaffolding, deliver equipment, and connect the panels to your electrical system.

Your installer should confirm the expected timescale before work begins.

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Solar panels are usually attached to the roof using a secure mounting system made up of roof hooks, rails, and clamps.

On a tiled or slate roof, an installer will usually lift selected tiles, fix roof hooks or brackets to the rafters underneath, then replace the tiles around the fittings. Aluminium rails are attached to the hooks, and the solar panels are then clamped onto the rails.

The panels are not normally fixed directly to the roof tiles themselves. Instead, the mounting system connects to the roof structure so the panels stay secure in wind, rain, and everyday weather conditions.

On a flat roof, solar panels may be installed on angled frames or weighted mounting systems. The right method depends on your roof type, roof condition, and the design of your solar PV system.

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Solar panels can add around 5 to 15 EPC points, but the exact increase depends on your property and the solar PV system installed.

As a guide, solar panels add around 10 EPC points on average, although a larger, well-positioned system may add more. The improvement depends on factors such as system size, roof direction, shading, and your home’s current EPC rating.

In some cases, solar panels can help move a property up an EPC band, such as from an E to a D or from a D to a C. The only way to know the exact increase is through an updated EPC assessment after installation.

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The size of solar system you need depends on your electricity use, roof space, roof direction, shading, and budget.

As a guide, many UK homes need a 3 kWp to 5 kWp solar PV system. A smaller home with lower electricity use may need around 3 kWp, while a larger home, or a property with an electric vehicle or heat pump, may need a bigger system.

Your installer will usually check your annual electricity usage and roof layout before recommending the right system size. They may also suggest a solar battery if you want to store more of the power your panels generate.

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Yes, solar panels can save you money by reducing how much electricity you need to buy from the grid.

As a guide, a typical UK household with a solar PV system could save around £190 to £350 a year on electricity bills. You may also be able to earn money through the Smart Export Guarantee, which pays you for unused solar electricity sent back to the grid.

Your savings will depend on your system size, energy tariff, roof position, and how much of your solar power you use at home. Households that use more electricity during the day, or add battery storage, can often get more value from their panels.

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Solar panels produce power whenever daylight hits them, although the amount depends on your system size, roof direction, shading, location, and the time of year.

As a guide, a typical UK home solar PV system can produce around 2,500 to 3,500 kWh a year. South-facing roofs with little shading usually perform best, while smaller or shaded systems will produce less.

Output is usually higher during bright summer days and lower in winter or cloudy weather. However, solar panels don't need direct sunshine to work, so they can still generate power on overcast days.

Any energy your home doesn't use straight away can often be stored in a solar battery or exported back to the grid, depending on your setup.

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An inverter converts the electricity generated by solar panels into electricity your home can use.

Solar panels produce direct current electricity, also known as DC electricity. Most homes use alternating current electricity, or AC electricity, to power lights, appliances, and everyday devices. The inverter changes DC electricity into AC electricity so your solar power can be used around your property.

In a solar PV system, the inverter also helps manage where your solar power goes. It can send electricity into your home, into a battery if you have one, or back to the grid.

This makes the inverter one of the most important parts of a solar panel system.

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Solar PV, or solar photovoltaic, is a technology that uses solar panels to turn sunlight into electricity for your home or business. Solar PV panels are usually fitted on a roof, although they can also be installed on the ground. When sunlight hits the panels, the solar cells create direct current electricity. This is then converted into usable electricity for your property through a device called an inverter. The electricity generated by solar PV can help power your lights, appliances, and heating systems. Any extra electricity may be stored in a battery or exported back to the grid, depending on your setup. Solar PV is a popular renewable energy option because it can reduce your reliance on grid electricity and help lower your carbon emissions.

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