Frequently Asked Questions – Solar & Battery Systems
See answers to our customer questions in Nottingham, Leicester and Derby.
Do I need a south-facing roof for solar panels?
No, modern solar panels work well on east- or west-facing roofs too. A south-facing roof simply gives the highest output, but it’s not essential for a great install.
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How many solar panels can I fit on my roof?
This depends on your roof size, shape, shading, and available clear space. Most homes fit between 8–16 panels, but every roof is assessed individually.
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What happens to electricity I produce and don’t use?
Unused solar energy flows into your battery (if you have one), and any excess is exported back to the grid through your export tariff.
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How long do solar panels last?
Most solar panels last 25–30 years or more, with performance warranties typically guaranteeing at least 80–85% output after 25 years.
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How safe are home batteries?
Home batteries are very safe when professionally installed. LiFePO4 batteries in particular offer high stability and are now widely considered the safest home storage chemistry.
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Can I install a battery without solar panels?
Yes, battery-only systems are increasingly popular and help reduce bills by storing cheap off-peak electricity overnight.
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What is an inverter in a solar PV system?
The inverter converts DC electricity from your panels into usable AC electricity for your home and manages power flows.
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Do I need to upgrade my fuse board for solar?
Not always, but older or overloaded fuse boards may need upgrading to meet safety standards for a battery or solar install.
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What are MCS, RECC and HEIS?
These are government-recognised accreditation and consumer protection bodies that ensure installers meet high safety and quality standards.
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Is there enough sunshine in the UK for solar to work?
Absolutely, the UK produces more than enough daylight for solar PV to be effective, even on cloudy days.
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Do solar panels increase the value of my home?
No not really - there is no categoric proof that adding solar to your home adds value and you should be wary of anyone that tells you that it does. It could make your home more attractive to potential buyers, because they know their bills will be less compared to a house than without. Anyone who tells you it does increase the value of your home has not done their homework on the subject and are just repeating what they have heard.
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How reliable are solar panels and what warranties do they come with?
Solar panels are extremely reliable, and most come with 25-year performance warranties plus long product warranties.
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How are solar & battery savings calculated?
Savings depend on your energy usage, system size, export tariff, battery charging behaviour, and daily generation patterns.
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What happens on the day of installation?
Your installation team will arrive in the morning, set up safely, install the panels, inverter, and battery, and fully test the system before handing it over with a walkthrough of the system. Read more → link to article
What’s the difference between flat roof and pitched roof solar panels?
Pitched roofs allow simple mounting, while flat roofs use angled frames to optimise generation — both work well when designed correctly.
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Do I need bird-proofing for my solar panels?
You should always install discrete pigeon and bird protection to your system to prevent them from nesting underneath your system in the future. They can become a right pest. That's why we install bird-proofing as standard on all of our systems. Always check that this is part of your installation when choosing your installer.
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Does solar power your whole house
Theoretically yes if you can fit enough panels on your roof. In reality in the UK this is a challenge, although you can achieve off-grid status from March to October with the use of a battery to store your energy.
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Get in Touch
If you have any questions or queries that you can't find the answer for on our site or blog - feel free to send us a message and we will respond quickly.
Nottingham, Leicester, Derby, East Midlands, U.K.
0115-646-24-94
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Registered Business Address: The Solar Battery Company Limited, Westwood House 78 Loughborough Road, Quorn, Loughborough, England, LE12 8DX.
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