With Electricity prices set to rise yet again in April 23 more and more people are turning to Solar in a bid to lower their energy bills. As with many things there are a number of factors to take into account but with a well thought through installation savings as high as 75% can be achieved. ALM Electrical are your local Solar PV installers in Essex.
With the falling cost and increasing availability of components now is the ideal time to invest and we at ALM Electrical can take care of your domestic and commercial Solar installations throughout Essex and the South East.
How do solar panels work?
Put simply, Solar PV panels convert energy from sunlight into DC electricity. Once linked together into a string the power generated is sent to an inverter which changes the DC electricity into AC electricity which is what we use within our homes and businesses. The more efficient the panels and inverter are, the more power you can generate.
There are a few different types of Solar panels available but typically we would install mono crystalline panels as they have the highest efficiency.
Solar panels can only work in daylight, while they are most efficient in direct sunlight they can still see good outputs during overcast and cloudy weather.
Solar panel installations have declined over the last few years because of the decline of the feed in tariff and the ridiculously low export tariff of around 3p per KWH. It just wasn’t a viable option for the majority of families whose properties lay empty during the day when electricity was being produced, but the recent rise in battery storage technology has seen a resurgence in Solar’s popularity as families are able to store their generated electricity for when they need it, dramatically reducing their grid dependence.
What type of system do I need?
With so many variables, there is not a one size fits all solution for Solar. We work closely with each of our clients to understand what they are looking for in their system. By seeking this deeper understanding we can tailor a system to their exact requirements that fulfils their expectations.
Once you have made contact and we have had an initial conversation we will send out one of our fully qualified electrical engineers to your property to carryout a full survey, this allows us to then put together a proposal for your new system with details of number and type of panels, recommended amount of battery storage, projected system generation, and estimated payback period.
Once you have all this information you are able to make an educated and informed decision based on the facts and figures. Solar is not right for everyone and our aim is to provide you with all the information you need to make that decision. We don’t charge a fee for this service and rely on our positioning, knowledge, workmanship and 5* testimonials to ensure we are the go to Solar panel installer in Essex.
How long will my system last?
An important question when calculating lifetime cost is the payback period and the ROI of a system.
We always opt for manufactures with good solid track records in this industry, these manufacturer typically provide a 20-25 year warranty on the panels with a tolerance of 80% retained efficiency. Meaning they still operate no less than 80% efficient as when they were first installed.
Other components such as inverters and optimisers can average 10-15 years and battery packs from 5 – 10 years.
These are just some of the variables which we can use to tailor a system to you. By altering the components we specify, we can find the right balance between upfront cost, system performance and longevity.
How much does Solar cost?
As mentioned, all systems are different and accurately priced on their own merits, but below are some examples of average costs from our previous installations. Please get in touch for an accurate fixed cost quote.
- 4KW system, 10 Solar panels, no battery. Fully supplied and fitted from. £5995.00
- 4KW system, 10 Solar panels, 6.5KWH battery. Fully supplied and fitted. £8995.00
- 6.4KW system, 16 Solar panels, 6.5KWH battery. Fully supplied and fitted. £11995.00
How long does it take?
At present, our lead time from quote accepted and deposit received to completion is:
- G98- 4KW or under system, around 3 weeks
- G99- over 4KW system where DNO application must be made before starting works. 6-8 Weeks
Stock levels can still be up and down, all our quotes are based on current in stock items and stock is ordered and reserved as soon as your deposit has cleared with us meaning most jobs progress as expected.
If you feel that the time might be right for you then please feel free to get in touch with us for a quick chat where we can talk you through everything you need to know and hopefully start you on your greener, energy self sufficiency journey.
