We estimate that an average system takes roughly seven to twelve years to pay for itself, after which it will make money for its owner for the remainder of its life. In simple terms, if you were to spend £10,000 on a system today, you would receive roughly 9% of your investment back per annum. Please feel free to speak to us to find out the likely financial benefits of a system tailored for your property.

Savings depend on how much you pay for electricity at the moment and how much electricity prices increase in the future. The Feed in Tariff works by paying you for electricity that you generate regardless of whether you use it yourself or not. As a second benefit, the more electricity you use that has been generated by your system the higher the savings off your existing electricity bills.

Most homeowners install a system of between 2-4kWp. The cost of installation will vary according to how easy or difficult it is to access the roof and the technology or product you choose. Typically, the installation will cost between £3,000 to 5,000 per kWp.

Solar roof systems fall under permitted development rights so you do not usually need planning permission, although if you live in an area of 'outstanding natural beauty' or in a listed building you should contact your local council or speak to us to find out the likely implications. At Homeco Energy, if needed, we manage the entire planning process from start to finish and liaise with the local planning officers in order to make your installation as straight forward and simple as possible.

Kilowatt peak refers to the value of power generated by a solar tile or panel system under full solar radiation (under set Standard Test Conditions). Solar radiation of 1,000 watts per square meter is used to define standard conditions. In the UK, one kilowatt peak of solar will generate roughly 700-900 kilowatt hours (kwh) per year.

Solar panels generate electricity using the energy from the sun. The panels produce energy from daylight, not direct sunlight, so they still produce energy on cloudy or overcast days. An inverter converts the electricity from direct to alternating current, for use in the home. The electrical energy produced is either used directly in the home, or when the system is producing more power than is needed it is exported to the grid. At night, power is imported from the grid in the normal way. 

Solar electric systems for homes are entirely grid connected. If there is a power cut your system is automatically switched off. This is a safety measure designed to stop electricity leaking on to the national grid and to protect people who may be working to restore the power supply.

Usually any dust or dirt washes off the panels when it rains, if the panels are installed on a roof of at least 15 degrees. In extreme cases dust may cause a power reduction of about 10%.

It was a financial incentive backed by the Government and paid by your energy company to generate your own clean electricity. An average three-bedroom home will earn around £900 a year by generating its own solar electricity - and that's on top of the likely reduction of £140 from the household electricity bill.

The scheme is now closed to new applicants but existing members of the incentive will still benefit from the full 25 years.