Solar Panels & Renewable Energy
Solar panels for homes & businesses
With energy bills going up and more people thinking about the environment, we are getting a lot more enquiries about solar panels and heat pumps. Whether it’s for a house extension, a new build, or a commercial project, those responsible for paying the bills are keen to make their buildings more efficient.
We can recommend local specialists to provide you with a good range of options: solar PV systems with inverters and battery storage, air source heat pumps, EV chargers, and different insulation solutions.
The aim is to help you end up with a home or business that costs less to run and has a smaller carbon footprint.
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Solar PV Panels
Solar panels actually work really well in the UK, even with our cloudy weather, and have become a popular choice over the last 20 years for cutting electricity bills and doing something positive for the environment. They use photovoltaic cells (usually made of silicon) to turn daylight into electricity. It doesn’t need to be blazing sunshine, they still generate power on overcast days. The electricity goes through an inverter (normally fitted inside the house) to make it usable.
Your roof should ideally face roughly south (east or west can still be okay), and it helps if there’s not too much shading from trees or chimneys. The roof structure needs to be strong enough, and any loose or broken tiles should be sorted before the solar panels are fitted. Most installations don’t need planning permission and can usually be done in a day or two.
Solar Battery Storage
Batteries let you store the electricity your panels make during the day so you can use it later in the evening or when it’s cloudy. It’s a great way to get more out of your system and rely less on the grid. Lithium-ion batteries are the most common now as they are compact, charge quickly, and last well. Batteries can be added to an existing solar setup or planned in from the beginning.
Browse our 3D design brochure
See our 3D portfolio brochure for project examples, ideas and insights into our architectural design
Solar PV Diverter
A diverter is a simple, clever bit of kit that sends any extra power your panels produce straight to your hot water tank instead of exporting it to the grid. You get free hot water whenever the sun’s out, which can make a noticeable difference to your bills. It works alongside batteries (usually charging them first, then heating water with whatever electricity is left) and is low maintenance. Apparently many people find it’s one of the quickest wins you can add.
Let’s talk about your project
At Ecclesall Design we look at the whole picture: architecture, planning, building regulations, and making the building as energy-efficient as possible. It is important to only use MCS-certified installers if you want to sell electricity back to the grid. If you’re thinking about solar panels, battery storage, a diverter, heat pumps or anything else sustainable, drop us a line.
We’d be happy to chat through what would make sense for your particular project and perhaps recommend a couple of local specialists who have installed systems for other Ecclesall Design clients.
