Frequently Asked Questions
- How much am I set to save installing a solar system?
Solar panels are an investment to cut costs for the next 25 years. Here at Evergen we have seen our customers save up to an incredible 70% off of their energy bills each month.
If you are looking to get more out of your panels and ultimately save more, you may want to add a battery storage to your system.
- Will I still be paying for energy from the national grid?
Yes, even with solar panel and storage battery system installed you will still potentially have to use energy from the grid, however this depends on your energy outgoings per month.
However, with a battery, the storage will optimise when it needs to purchase from the grid. Making sure to purchase it on off-peak times to save you the most money possible. - How does solar effect the value of my home if I wish to sell?
On average around panels will add £14,000 to the value of your home, however may be more (or less) dependent on multiple factors. Solar panels in a worst case scenario will only keep the value of your property unchanged. Many studies have shown that having solar panels installed sells houses faster. You can read more about this topic HERE.
- But isn’t solar energy is too costly and not economically viable?
Since 2016, the amount of installations throughout the UK has increased exponentially. This is aided by the ever shrinking costs for panels, with as huge a price drop as 70% over the past 10 years. In 2013, the average buyer would pay £2.50 per watt on their panels, whereas now the price has dropped to £1.50 per watt. With the price of panels being more accessible than ever, now’s the time to start cutting your energy bills with solar PV.
- Why have energy prices gone up so much?
The energy price Cap is the maximum unit and daily standing charge but is often quoted as an annual figure in the press. The cap was introduced in April 2017 for about four million households with prepayment meters. In 2019 the government extended it to cover the 11 million households that were then on standard tariffs, which historically tended to be the most expensive in the market. The price cap limits the rates a supplier can charge for their default tariffs. These include the standing charge and price for each kWh. The cap is a limit on how much you can be charged for the energy you use, rather than a strict maximum you can be charged overall, so customers with higher energy bills and larger homes will pay more.
- What is the new Price Cap from April 2022?
The energy regulator, Ofgem, has increased the price cap by more than 50 per cent, meaning the average household could be charged about £2,000 a year, up from £1,277. A typical customer paying by direct debit will now pay 28p per kWh for electricity and 7p per kWh for gas. The cap also only applies to variable rates, rather than fixed tariffs, which can be even higher. There are estimated to be about 22 million households on variable rates, and the figure has increased in recent months as smaller suppliers have gone bust, forcing their customers on to variable tariffs with other providers. OFGEM have to balance (1) the price cap reflects the “real world” prices that energy companies are/will be paying on the wholesale markets with (2) keeping prices as low as possible to maintain inflation and reduce fuel poverty.
- What’s wrong with the Price Cap?
The cap is set using historical wholesale prices on the basis that most energy companies will forward buy gas and electricity many months in advance. By contrast, fixed deals typically more closely reflect wholesale prices at the point at which the customer signs up. Whilst the big five energy suppliers have the financial resources to forward buy energy to maintain future prices, most of the new companies did or could not as they never expected wholesale prices to increase so suddenly. When their cost prices escalated, these companies could not pass on the increases to their customers due to the cap. So in effect they were having to sell below cost and many went bust. Due to this, 31 energy companies have ceased trading since 2021.
- Will energy prices continue rising?
It’s expected that global wholesale prices will continue to increase in the short term and not likely to come down in the near future. According to research by Evergen Systems, “reducing fossil fuel consumption to meet decarbonisation targets will lead to increases in overall electricity consumption. Whether at an individual household or societal level the demand for electricity will increase underpinning a continued upward trajectory of electricity prices for next 20 years”.
Almost half of the UK’s current nuclear capacity is due to be decommissioned by 2025 and only one new plant, Hinkley Point C, is currently under construction. If no other new nuclear power stations are built, the UK’s nuclear capacity in 2050 will be a third of what it is today. Britain has announced ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions. No more new petrol/diesel cars and all heating, cooking and hot water from 2030 is expected to increase electricity demand by 250%.
- How does the storage battery work?
Our battery works by storing energy generated from your solar panels when the energy is not in use elsewhere in your home. This means you can use the stored energy during non-daylight hours, preventing you from having to purchase energy directly from the grid.
- Can I add a storage battery to my already installed solar panels?
Yes you can, the installation is quick and easy. Our storage battery only installation is for those looking to expand their solar system and take advantage of the financial benefits of storage.
- What size storage battery should I get?
Storage batteries come in a range of sizes and the optimal size of the battery depends on how many solar panels you have installed. Our most common models involved are the 3.3kWh and 6.6kWh batteries.
- Can you install my storage battery even though you didn’t install my solar panels?
Yes. Even if we did not install your solar panels we can still add to your current solar system by adding one of our storage batteries.
- Is it better to add more solar panels, or to add a storage battery?
If you have space on your roof then we could look into adding more panels to increase energy going into your household. This is a good option if you find yourself using much more energy than you are generating.
On the other hand, if you have energy left over, a storage battery will continue to power your home after hours. Even any excess energy you do not use that is stored in your battery will be sold to the national grid at peak times, so not only are you saving money but also earning it.
- Do I need a storage battery to charge my car?
If you are interested in charging your electric vehicle during non daylight hours then you will need a storage battery installed within your system.
- How many solar panels do I need?
Homeowners typically need an average of 8 panels. However, each case is individual so we offer a free home survey to review how much energy your hot tub requires – as well as the rest of your home – so we can specify a solar system to achieve the biggest savings for you.
- What is the difference between blue and black panels?
While originally many people opted for black solar panels as they were more aesthetically pleasing once installed, Newer and more powerful panels have been exclusively adopting a pattern-less black design approach. These panels are able to have more surface area for the sunlight to contact and thus generate more power.
- Do I need to add bird proofing during installation?
We do highly recommend that all of our customers opt to have bird proofing during their solar panel installation, however it is not compulsory. The bird proofing protects your solar panels and your roof tiles which could be damaged due to birds and rodents.
- Can I choose to add bird proofing at a later date after installation?
Yes, you can chose to have bird proofing installed to your already existing solar panels. You can get in contact with us to organise and time and date to carry out the service.
- When and why would I add to my current solar system?
You may want to add to your solar system if your energy requirements have increased over time. Adding more solar panels to your roof will linearly increase the savings already being generated from your current system.
- Are solar panels suitable for my home?
There are many factors that can hinder the possibility of solar panels being suitable on your roof. Such factors could include the facing of the roof, the immediate surrounding environment and ownership of the building. To get an accurate and complete review of your property, do get in contact with us!
- Will installing solar involve lots of complication and maintenance?
Not at all! Installing your solar panels has never been easier, with many cases with Evergen of a system being fully installed on the same day the engineers arrive.
Maintaining your solar panels is very simple. In most cases, solar panels only need annual maintenance which will include a general clean and overall inspection to make sure that your solar panels remain in an excellent condition.
- Will solar panels cause damage to my roof?
With a professional installation, Solar panels will actually protect your roof, adding a layer of protection over the tiles. If your solar panels are bird proofed, it is far more easily maintained than the actual tiles on your roof that could need to be repaired due to wind, bird damage etc.
- Do solar panels work when it is cloudy or snowy?
Solar panels and battery system actually work all year round (yes, even in UK weather.) They do not require direct sunlight to operate and generate. Instead generating just off of daylight overall.
- Is solar power dangerous when the power goes out?
No, there are safety measures in place for this. If the grid shuts the electric off, then your invertor knows to also shut off and stop supplying electricity to your home. It would have been dangerous to push electricity through the wires, including the electricity sourced from your solar panels, which is why it gets shut off.
- Is solar power dangerous when the power goes out?
No, there are safety measures in place for this. If the grid shuts the electric off, then your invertor knows to also shut off and stop supplying electricity to your home. It would have been dangerous to push electricity through the wires, including the electricity sourced from your solar panels, which is why it gets shut off.
- How do I charge my car from the sun?
With the success of electric vehicles over the past 20 years, more and more people are exploring further ways to enhance their environmental experience and reduce their carbon footprint, whilst also enjoying the additional benefit of saving money.
The solar energy market is now firmly on board, saving EV owners up to £1000 per year by charging their car from their solar panels. This is a growing market; all new cars are required to be electric by 2030. By using renewable energy, in this case, solar power, you are helping to save the planet whilst saving the pounds.
- Will my car charge be slower compared to using energy from the grid?
Not at all. Your electric vehicle will charge at the rate that your charger allows. The energy generated from your solar panels will have no impact on how fast you charge.
- If we can use clean coal, why invest in solar?
Solar energy is actually a cleaner form of energy than ‘clean coal’ because coal isn’t truely clean. Coal is one of the most harmful fossil fuels we could use. It causes much more damage to the environment than any other fossil fuel, causing mass carbon pollution.
- Why do I need to reduce my carbon footprint?
Reducing your carbon footprint is very important in todays world. By cutting your carbon footprint it will help to slow down climate change, improve the public health, as well as boosting the worlds economy. Not only does it secure a more positive future, but you are also incentivised or even expected to be reducing your footprint from the government. With green plans and laws coming out ever more frequently.
- How can I reduce my carbon footprint?
There are many ways you can reduce your carbon footprint. A huge factor is where you are getting your electricity. Installing solar panels would make a huge impact on your footprint.
