Faq

The total cost of a solar panel installation includes more than just the panels themselves. It covers equipment like the solar panels, inverter, battery (if added), and all the fittings needed to install them. It also includes the cost of labor, scaffolding, insurance, travel, and other logistics to safely and properly complete the job. Some paperwork and approvals are required too, such as the G99/DNO application—but we include that at no extra cost, along with free bird protection to help keep your system safe and clean. The biggest parts that affect the overall price are the type of battery, inverter, and panels you choose.

Homeowners in the North West may qualify for the ECO4 scheme, which supports low‑income households or those living in poorly insulated homes (typically with EPC ratings of D–G). It can cover either partial or full costs of solar systems, potentially up to 100 % if eligible—available until around March 2026 and applicable across England, Scotland, and Wales

If your local council participates in the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) or Warm Homes Plan, you might receive grants worth several thousand pounds—sometimes covering most or all installation costs. In the North West, councils such as Manchester, Liverpool City Region, and Cheshire East are included in the list of eligible authorities.

There’s also a temporary 0 % VAT rate on solar equipment, battery storage, and installation (a 5 % saving) in place up to March 2027—this often saves homeowners up to several hundred pounds on their bills.

Once your system is active, you can earn money by exporting unused electricity back to the grid via the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Typical SEG rates average around 13–14 p/kWh, and some tariffs go as high as 30 p/kWh—much better than the older Feed‑in Tariff scheme, which pays around 5 p/kWh.

Additionally, group‑buying schemes like Solar Together may be open in participating council areas within the North West, giving you access to reduced pricing through collective purchasing programs

The return on investment (ROI) for a home solar system is simply how long it takes for your energy savings to “pay back” the upfront cost. In everyday terms, your payback period is:

Payback (years) = Total installation cost ÷ Annual energy savings

Simple 3‑Step Scheme

1. Find your total cost
   Add up panels + inverter + battery (if any) + labor/permits.
   
   
   Example: £8,000
   
2. Estimate your yearly savings
   • Look at last year’s electricity bill (e.g. £1,200)
   • Estimate what % solar will cover (e.g. 80 % → £960 saved)

Divide cost by savings
£8,000 / £960 per year = 8.3 years

Quick‑View Examples

Tip: If you add a battery, your cost goes up but you’ll save more by using stored power—so your payback might still be in this same 7–10 year range.

After payback, all the electricity your panels produce is essentially free, and you’ll keep saving (and even earn export payments) for many years to come.

How much you save on your electricity bill depends on how much energy your solar panels produce and how much of that energy you use in your home. But here’s a simple way to understand it:

🔋 Typical Savings Example

Let’s say your current electricity bill is £100 per month (or £1,200 per year).

If your solar system is designed to cover about 75%–90% of your usage:

• You could save around £900–£1,080 per year
• That’s about £75–£90 per month

If you also install a battery, you can store unused solar energy and use it at night or during peak-rate hours—boosting your savings even more.

☀️ Quick Savings Estimate Table

📈 Extra Savings from Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)

If your panels make more power than you use, you can sell the extra back to the grid through the SEG scheme, earning even more (up to £100–£300+ per year, depending on your system and tariff).

✅ Summary

With a good-sized solar system, you can expect to save 60% to 90% on your electricity bill each year—and possibly earn extra through export payments if you produce more than you use.

Are there ongoing maintenance or hidden costs?

For most homeowners, solar panel systems require very little maintenance. They’re built to last 25–30 years with minimal upkeep. Here’s what to expect:

✅ What’s Usually Included (No Extra Cost)

• Monitoring software to track your system’s performance
• Bird protection (if included, as we offer it for free)
• G99/DNO application and permissions
• Manufacturer warranties (typically 10–25 years for panels and inverters)

🔧 Possible Ongoing or Occasional Costs

⚠️ Note: Cleaning isn’t always required, especially in rainy areas like the UK—but it can help if you live near trees, farms, or construction.

💡 Hidden Costs?

We believe in full transparency. There are no hidden charges—everything like scaffolding, travel, bird protection, and necessary paperwork is included in our quote. You only pay extra if you choose optional upgrades (like a larger battery, EV charger, or extra panels).

In the UK, we don’t use the term “net metering” like some other countries do (like the US). Instead, we use the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) — and yes, you can absolutely benefit from it.

💡 What Is the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)?

The SEG lets you earn money by selling your unused solar energy back to the grid. When your panels produce more electricity than you’re using—like on a sunny day—your smart meter tracks that extra energy and your energy supplier pays you for it.

📈 How Much Can You Earn?

SEG payments are usually between £0.04 to £0.30 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), depending on your supplier. Here’s a rough idea:

✅ Will You Benefit?

Yes—if your system generates more electricity than you use during the day (which is very common), you’ll earn money for that unused power.

You benefit most if:

• You’re not home during the day (when panels are producing)
• You don’t have a battery, so unused energy gets exported
• You pick a supplier offering a good SEG rate (some pay 2x more than others)

📌 Summary

While it’s not called net metering, the UK’s Smart Export Guarantee is a similar concept—and it puts money back in your pocket for the clean energy you don’t use.

The number of solar panels you’ll need depends on three main things:

1. How much electricity your home uses
2. How much roof space you have
3. The power output of the panels we install

🏠 Typical Household Example

A typical UK home uses about 3,000 to 4,500 kWh of electricity per year.

Using standard panels (around 400W each), most homes need:

🧠 But Here’s the Good News

At Sunmate, we offer a range of panel sizes and power outputs, so we’ll design a system that maximizes the energy you can generate—even if your roof is small or shaded in some areas.

That means:

• Fewer high-efficiency panels can be used if space is tight
• We customize the layout to match your roof shape and sun exposure

📌 Summary

Most homes need 8 to 14 panels, but we’ll tailor the system to your energy needs and roof size. The goal is to get you as close to 100% energy coverage as possible.

How much energy will the system generate annually?

The total energy your solar system generates each year depends on:

1. System size (in kW)
2. Sunlight in your area (North West UK gets ~850–1,000 kWh per kW per year)
3. Roof angle, direction, and shading

🔢 Simple Rule of Thumb

Annual Generation (kWh) = System Size (kW) × 900

(We use 900 as a UK average generation factor in kWh per kW installed)

☀️ Examples:

🧠 Bonus Tip:

A 4 kW system (around 10 panels) can cover most of the yearly usage for a typical UK family, especially if combined with smart energy use or battery storage.

Will the System Work During Power Outages?

By default, most solar systems in the UK do not work during a power cut. This is a safety requirement to protect utility workers from electricity flowing back into the grid while they’re doing repairs.

✅ But at Sunmate, We’ve Got You Covered

We offer an affordable upgrade: a changeover switch.
This clever add-on lets your solar system safely power your home during an outage by disconnecting it from the grid and switching to solar-only mode.

⚙️ How It Works:

• When there’s a power cut, the changeover switch isolates your home from the grid
• Your solar system (and battery, if installed) continues to power your lights, fridge, Wi-Fi, etc.
• No need for a generator or waiting in the dark!

💡 Summary

Without the switch: ❌ No power during outages
With Sunmate’s switch: ✅ Solar keeps your home running safely

Most homes in the UK are suitable for solar panels, especially if they have a pitched (angled) roof with tiles — which is exactly what we specialize in at Sunmate.

✅ Here’s What Makes a Good Roof:

1. Angle – Pitched roofs are ideal
   A 30–40° slope is perfect for capturing sunlight in the UK
2. Roof Type – We install on tiled roofs
   Our team has experience with all common UK tile types
3. Orientation – South-facing is best, but…
   East- and west-facing roofs still perform very well — we can design around your home’s layout
4. Size – Enough space for 8–14 panels
   Each panel is roughly 1.7m x 1m, so we check your usable space to maximize output
5. Shading – Minimal shading = best performance
   We assess nearby trees, chimneys, and buildings. If there’s some shade, we can use FoxESS optimizers to reduce the impact.

🛠️ What If My Roof Is Older?

We check the condition during our survey. If your roof is 15–20+ years old or shows signs of damage, we’ll let you know if minor repairs or reinforcements are needed before installation.

🧭 Summary

At Sunmate, we mostly work on angled tiled roofs — the most common roof type in the UK — and we’ll design a system that fits your roof’s size, shape, and sun exposure. Plus, we use FoxESS technology to help maximize performance even if your roof isn’t perfectly positioned.

At Sunmate, we take care of all permitting and utility approvals for you — so you don’t have to worry about the paperwork.

✅ What We Handle:

1. DNO / G99 Applications –
   Required to notify your local electricity network that a solar system is being installed.
   ➤ ✅ Included free with every system we install.
2. MCS Certification –
   All our systems are installed to MCS standards, so you’re eligible for Smart Export Guarantee payments and other incentives.
3. Planning Permission (if needed) –
   Most homes don’t need planning permission, but if your property is listed or in a conservation area, we’ll guide you through it.
4. System Registration & Warranty Setup –
   We also handle product registrations for your FoxESS components and solar panels, ensuring your warranties are fully active (10 years on components, 15 years on panels).

📌 Summary

With Sunmate, you get a fully managed service — we handle all permits, utility notifications, and certifications so you can focus on the savings.

Want us to check whether your home needs any special approvals? Just ask!

Yes — with Sunmate systems powered by FoxESS, you can easily track your solar performance in real time using the Fox Cloud 2.0 monitoring platform.

🌤️ What You Can See:

• How much electricity your panels are generating
• How much energy your home is using
• Battery charge/discharge levels (if installed)
• Exported power sent back to the grid
• Daily, monthly, and yearly stats

📲 About Fox Cloud 2.0

FoxESS’s Fox Cloud 2.0 app and web portal are:

• ✅ User-friendly and visually clear
• ✅ Updated regularly with new features
• ✅ Accessible via smartphone, tablet, or desktop
• ✅ Great for tracking savings and performance over time

🧠 Why It Matters

Being able to see your energy flow helps you:

• Understand your savings
• Adjust your usage to maximize self-consumption
• Spot any issues early (though we monitor your system too!)

📌 Summary

Yes — you’ll have full access to your system’s performance through Fox Cloud 2.0, giving you peace of mind and control over your energy use.

At Sunmate, we stand behind our work and the quality of the products we install. Here’s what you get with every solar system using FoxESS components:

🔧 Warranties Included:

• FoxESS Components (Inverter & Battery):
  ✅ 10-year warranty — covers defects and performance issues
• Solar Panels:
  ☀️ 15-year product warranty — guaranteed quality and durability
• Installation Workmanship:
  🛠️ 10-year warranty — covers any installation-related problems or faults

📌 Why This Matters

These warranties give you peace of mind that your system is protected for the long term, with reliable components and expert installation from Sunmate.

Would you like a detailed warranty document to review?

Absolutely! At Sunmate, we are fully MCS certified (Microgeneration Certification Scheme), which is the UK’s official quality standard for solar installations — you can check our certification here: MCS Certification Link.

• Licensed: Our team is professionally trained and certified to install solar systems safely and in full compliance with UK regulations.
• Bonded: We have the necessary bonds in place to protect your property and ensure the job is completed properly.
• Insured: We carry comprehensive liability insurance and workers’ compensation to cover any risks during installation.

This certification and coverage give you confidence that your solar system will be installed to the highest standards and with full protection.

At Sunmate, we aim to make your solar journey smooth and straightforward. From your first consultation to your system going live, here’s what you can expect:

📅 Typical Timeline: About 1 Month and Up

1. Consultation & Site Survey (1 week):
   We discuss your needs, assess your roof, and design your custom system.
2. Design & Quotation (1 week):
   We prepare your tailored quote, including panel options and FoxESS components.
3. Permitting & Approvals (1–2 weeks):
   We handle all the paperwork, including G99/DNO applications and MCS certification.
4. Installation Scheduling (depends on availability):
   We book your installation date—usually within 1–2 weeks after approvals.
5. Installation Day(s) (1–3 days):
   Our expert team installs your system, including FoxESS equipment and any optional extras like batteries or changeover switches.
6. Commissioning & Activation (Same day):
   We test everything, activate your system, and show you how to use FoxESS’s Fox Cloud 2.0 monitoring.

🔑 Summary

From start to finish, expect roughly 4 to 6 weeks depending on approvals and scheduling. We’ll keep you updated at every step!

Want us to check your earliest possible installation date?