5 things to know before getting solar panels
A Q&A with our Solar Designer
Meet Ross, one of our solar designers here at Good Energy. With a degree in Renewable Energy Engineering and nearly five years of experience designing bespoke systems for homes across the UK, including his own, Ross understands what makes a solar and battery setup truly work.
In this article, Ross answers five questions he gets from people who are looking into solar panels for their home. From how we design bespoke systems to fire safety, here’s what you need to know – straight from the expert who designs them.
1. What’s one thing you wish people knew before choosing a solar system or installer?
Ross: The most important thing to know is that not all systems, or installers, are the same. The quality of components used can make a huge difference in terms of performance, safety, and longevity.
At Good Energy, we only use high quality components from leading global manufacturers. That means higher efficiency, better safety features, higher annual savings and longer warranties. A quality system isn’t just about today’s savings, it’s about reliability for years to come.
2. What goes into a solar panel design?
Ross: Every home is different, and so is every customer’s energy usage. That’s why every single home needs a completely bespoke design.
We take time to understand how much energy you use and when you use it, so we can size your solar array and your battery storage accurately, and give you our best advice on how to maximise your savings.
There’s no benefit in installing an oversized system that you can’t make full use of – it won’t deliver value for money. Our goal is to create systems that fit your lifestyle and deliver real savings.
3. Are solar panels safe? Do they increase the risk of household fires?
Ross: A professionally installed solar system is very safe. Fires caused by solar panels are rare and almost always linked to poor installation or the use of low-quality components.
Safety is our top priority when designing your system. We recommend only trusted, high-quality products, we survey your home to ensure your electrics meet current wiring regulations before carrying out an installation, and we employ highly qualified, certified installers and electricians to complete the work.
All the systems we install meet the latest fire safety guidelines to keep your home safe while lowering your bills.
We use trusted brands like Enphase and SolarEdge, which offer enhanced safety features: Enphase converts high-voltage DC to AC at the panel, and SolarEdge uses patented ‘SafeDC’ technology.
4. What do you enjoy most about having solar panels at your own home?
Ross: I designed my own system, based on my family’s energy usage. It’s very satisfying to see it working exactly as planned, and those are the kinds of results I aim to deliver for every customer.
And the best part? I’ve essentially erased one of my household bills. That kind of peace of mind is hard to beat.
5. How much money can I expect to save with solar panels?
Ross: Your savings will depend on lots of factors including the size of your system, your home’s location and orientation, how much electricity you use and when, your energy tariffs, and what you want to get from your system.
For example, some customers want to reduce their carbon footprint as much as possible, so focus on using as much of their home-generated solar power as possible.
Others want to see the biggest cost savings, so will charge up their battery from the grid overnight and export solar power by day. These two homes might have the same system on paper, but would see different annual savings.
When I work with customers, I take all of those things into account to design a system that’s tailored to them – just like I did for my own home.
If you’d like to understand your home’s estimated savings, I’d be really happy to complete your free, no obligation design.
