Electrical

Top tips and guidance for home electrics, rewiring, lighting, and electrical safety.

Solar Panels: Your Questions Answered

19th May 2023

As the sun finally makes an appearance and the global crisis continues to be a hot topic (physically and metaphorically), renewable energy is something that households are thinking about more and more. Last week, we took a look at how solar batteries work and the difference that they make to individuals investing in solar power. Thanks to further interest from Trust A Trader customers, this week we will take a look at some of your most commonly asked questions.

Q: How much space do you need for solar panels?

A: If you are considering getting solar panels installed, then space is a major issue. The average size for a domestic property is 3.5kWp which needs about 20m² of roof. This is around 3m x 7m, 4m x 5m or 10m x 2m.

Q: Do you need direct sunlight?

A: In an ideal world, your solar panels will be placed on a south facing surface in direct sunlight (i.e. not in the shade of buildings or trees). If your property faces east or west, you can still have solar, but you are likely to get just over 10% less electricity from it. If the only available surface is north-facing, you probably won’t be able to get solar panels.

Q: Do I need planning permission?

A: In the majority of cases, solar panels are classified as permitted developments. This means that they don’t usually need planning permission. There are, however, exceptions. If you live in a conservation area, national park, or listed building, you may be subject to more restrictions, so it is best to check with your Local Authority, or ask your solar panel specialist, before you make any decisions.

Q: Can I still make money from solar panels?

A: For a while, people installing domestic PV solar systems could access the Feed-in Tariff, which meant that you can be paid for any excess electricity that is fed back to the national grid because you don’t need it. That tariff stopped for new applicants in 2019. However, it is possible for you to still get payment for the transfer of your excess electricity; it just has to be done via renewable energy companies, who will pay you directly for the power that you export. This system is known as the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) and applies to properties in Great Britain.

Q: How long before my solar panels pay for themselves?

A: The length of time it takes to recoup your outlay on solar panels via savings and exporting excess energy via the SEG depends on the size of your solar installation and your energy usage. However, on average, the average 3.5kWp solar PV system costs between £5k and £6k. Average savings are up to £600 per year (if you take advantage of SEG), so it should pay for itself within ten years.

If you want to find out more about whether solar panels could be right for your property, get in touch with a local specialist for a quote. Don’t forget to follow Trust a Trader on Facebook or Twitter.

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Looking for more electrical advice?

Find clear, practical answers to common electrical questions, helping homeowners understand everyday issues, know what checks they can carry out safely, and when it is best to contact a qualified professional.

What should I do in an electrical emergency at home?

Switch off the power at the consumer unit if it's safe to do so - don't try to unplug a sparking appliance by hand. If there's an electrical fire, don't use water - use a dry powder or CO2 extinguisher, or get outside safely and call 999. If someone's received a shock, don't touch them until the power is definitely off - use something non-conductive like a wooden broom handle to separate them from the source. Call 999 for anything serious. Once the danger's passed, don't turn the power back on until an electrician has checked things over.
Can I have an EV charger installed at home?

Yes, and for most homes with off-street parking it's a pretty straightforward job taking half a day or so. A dedicated 7kW home charger will charge most EVs overnight and is much faster and safer than using a standard three-pin socket for regular charging. It needs to be installed by a qualified electrician and must comply with wiring regulations. The government's OZEV scheme has offered grants for home charger installation - worth checking the current position on GOV.UK.
What is PAT testing and do I need it?

PAT testing checks electrical appliances for safety - things like kettles, laptops, extension leads, and power tools. For most homeowners, there's no legal requirement. Landlords do need to make sure appliances in a rental are safe though, and it's required in most workplaces too. If you run a business from home or regularly use second-hand electrical equipment, it's worth getting done. An electrician or PAT specialist can tell you what applies to your situation.
Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?

Breakers trip to protect the circuit - it's the system doing its job. The usual culprits are too many high-draw appliances on one circuit, a single faulty appliance, damaged wiring, or a breaker that's starting to fail. If it keeps tripping even after you've unplugged things, or several breakers are going at once, stop resetting it and call an electrician. Persistent tripping can be a sign of something more serious.
How do I know if my home's electrics are safe?

Watch out for breakers tripping frequently, flickering lights, scorch marks around sockets, burning smells, buzzing from the consumer unit, or sockets that feel warm. If your property was built before the 1970s, the wiring may not meet current standards even if everything seems to be working fine. An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is the proper way to check - legally required for landlords, and worth doing for any home that hasn't been looked at in the past ten years.
What is an EICR and do I need one as a homeowner?

An EICR is a formal check of your home's wiring, sockets, and consumer unit by a qualified electrician - think of it as a health check for your electrics. It flags anything that's deteriorated, isn't up to standard, or needs attention. It's legally required for landlords but optional for homeowners, though it's a smart move if you're buying a property, haven't had one in over ten years, or are planning significant electrical work.
What is RCD protection and does my home have it?

An RCD (Residual Current Device) is a safety switch that cuts the power almost instantly if it detects a fault, dramatically reducing the risk of electrocution or fire. Modern consumer units should have RCD protection across most circuits. To check if yours does, look at your consumer unit - if you see buttons marked 'RCD' or 'T', you've got some protection in place. If it's just old-style fuses with no RCDs, it's worth speaking to an electrician about an upgrade.
What electrical work legally requires a qualified electrician in the UK?

Under Part P of the Building Regulations, certain electrical work has to be done by a registered electrician - or at least notified to your local authority. This covers most bathroom work, replacing or installing a consumer unit, adding new circuits, and anything near a pool or outdoor structure. Straightforward like-for-like swaps in other rooms might be fine as DIY, but anything involving the consumer unit, rewiring, or new circuits should really go to a professional.

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