Frequently Asked Questions

The Warm Homes Plan is the UK government's main energy efficiency grant scheme, offering up to £15,000 to eligible households for renewable energy upgrades including solar panels. You may qualify if your home has an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G, or if you receive qualifying benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit, or Employment and Support Allowance. Contact us for a free eligibility check.

Yes, absolutely! The ECO4 scheme (Energy Company Obligation 4) requires large energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements - including solar panels - for low-income and vulnerable households. If you qualify, the panels are installed at zero cost to you. Eligibility is based on your household income, the benefits you receive, and your home's energy efficiency rating.

Since April 2022, all residential solar panel installations in the UK are subject to 0% VAT (previously 5%). This means the average homeowner saves around £1,000-£1,500 on their installation. This applies to all homeowners - there are no eligibility criteria. The saving is automatically applied to your installation cost.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a government-backed scheme that requires energy suppliers with over 150,000 customers to pay you for every unit of surplus solar electricity you export back to the National Grid. Rates typically range from 3p to 15p per kWh. The average solar household earns £200-£600 per year through SEG. We help you register for the best rate available.

No - that's exactly what we're here for! OneStop Solar handles all grant applications on your behalf. We have extensive experience with the Warm Homes Plan, ECO4, and other UK government schemes. All you need to do is provide some basic information and we'll take care of everything. We also register your SEG application once your panels are installed.

Solar panels contain photovoltaic (PV) cells that convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. An inverter then converts this into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is used to power your home. Any excess electricity is either stored in a battery for use later, or exported to the National Grid (earning you money via SEG). Solar panels work even on cloudy days - they generate electricity from daylight, not direct sunshine.

Most roofs in the UK are suitable for solar panels. The ideal scenario is a south-facing roof with an angle of 30-45 degrees and minimal shading. However, east or west-facing roofs can still generate significant electricity. Flat roofs can also have panels fitted using mounting frames. Our engineers carry out a free roof survey to determine the best solution for your home.

In most cases, no. Solar panels on domestic properties in England are typically covered by Permitted Development rights, meaning you don't need planning permission. Exceptions include listed buildings, properties in conservation areas, or certain flat roof installations. We'll advise you on this during your free survey and handle any necessary applications.

The number of panels depends on your energy usage, roof size, and energy goals. A typical 3-bedroom home in the UK uses around 3,500 kWh per year and is usually served by a 3.5-4 kWp system (around 8-10 panels). During your free survey, our engineers will calculate the optimal system size for your home and lifestyle.

For most homeowners, yes - especially with current energy prices. A solar battery lets you store surplus electricity generated during the day and use it in the evening or at night. This means you buy less electricity from the grid during peak, expensive hours. Most batteries pay for themselves in 7-10 years and significantly boost your self-sufficiency. When combined with a smart tariff, you can even charge the battery cheaply overnight.

Battery size is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). A typical family home uses 3-5 kWh in the evening and overnight, so a 5-10 kWh battery is a good starting point. Popular options include the Tesla Powerwall (13.5 kWh), Givenergy, and Solis batteries. We'll recommend the right size based on your solar panel output and typical daily usage patterns.

A typical residential solar panel system (3-4 kWp) costs between £5,000-£8,000 after 0% VAT. A 6 kWp system can cost £8,000-£12,000. Adding a battery typically costs an additional £2,000-£5,000. However, many homeowners pay nothing thanks to ECO4 grants, and those on the Warm Homes Plan can receive up to £15,000 off. We provide precise, no-obligation quotes after your free survey.

Most UK homeowners save between £800-£2,000+ per year on energy bills, depending on their system size, usage patterns, and energy tariff. With a battery, savings increase further. On top of that, Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments add £200-£600 per year. A typical 4 kWp system with battery can save over £1,500/year and pay for itself in 7-12 years.

The typical payback period for solar panels in the UK is 7-12 years, depending on system size, your energy usage, electricity tariff, and whether you have battery storage. After payback, you enjoy essentially free electricity for the remaining 15-20+ years of the system's life. Panels come with a 25-year performance guarantee, making them a strong long-term investment.

A standard solar panel installation for a 3-4 bedroom home typically takes 1-2 days. Larger systems or those with battery storage may take 2-3 days. From your initial enquiry to installation, the process usually takes 3-6 weeks, including the free survey, system design, and any required approvals. We'll keep you updated at every stage.

Minimal disruption to your daily life. Most of the work is done on the roof and in your loft. You may need to be home during installation, and there may be a brief period (usually less than an hour) where your electricity supply is temporarily switched off for the inverter connection. Our team works efficiently and tidies up completely before leaving.

Solar panels are very low maintenance. UK rainfall generally keeps them clean enough, but an annual check and occasional cleaning (especially if near trees) is recommended. We advise a professional inspection every 3-5 years. We provide all customers with monitoring access so you can track your system's performance 24/7 from your smartphone. If output drops unexpectedly, we'll identify and fix the issue quickly.

All our solar panels come with a 25-year performance guarantee from the manufacturer, ensuring they produce at least 80% of their rated output after 25 years. Inverters come with a 5-12 year warranty (depending on brand), and batteries typically carry a 10-year warranty. Our own installation workmanship is also guaranteed for 10 years. We're fully insured and MCS certified.