If you are considering having Solar Panels installed, either for commercial or residential property, then any reputable solar company will ask the following questions when they come and visit you. If you are in doubt of any of the questions being asked, then do not be afraid to question them, after all you will be investing a considerable amount of money so need to know all the facts.
1) Do you have a specific location where you would like the Solar Panels fitted?
2) Is there a specific make of Solar Panels you prefer?
3) Do you know what an 'inverter' is?
4) Is there a specific 'inverter' you have in mind you would like?
5) Have you heard of the governments 'Feed-In-Tariff' scheme?
6) Do you know what size of system you would like?
Once all the questions have been asked and answered a site survey will need to be carried out which consist of the following;
1) Visit the proposed area of where the Solar Panels are to be fitted and make sure to see if it facing the correct way (south facing)
2) Check the roof for any broken or missing tiles (if there is any missing or broken tiles then these will be repaired by the roofers before any panels are fitted. Some companies will do this free of charge)
3) Pictures should be taken of the roof to show you if any repairs are needed to be done, also with the pictures you will be presented with a design as to how the panels will look before any installation work is carried out.
4) Check for any obstacles that may cause shading and cause the panels to stop working. If there are any obstacles to be found then you might have to look at other areas to have the panels fitted.
5) Loft inspection - measurements need to be taken of the roof area and also the angle of the roof has to be checked. The installers should also make sure the structure of the roof rafters (beams) are in good condition, as these will be taking the weight of the solar panels. If any faults are to be found then you will need to organise a visit from a structural engineer, which may be recommended by the solar company or you can arrange one yourself.
6) Positioning of materials - you should be told verbally and also by means of a drawing plan, as to how the items will be fitted in your loft space, which will include the panels and inverter which converts the power of the system from the solar panels to normal electric. If you do not have a loft and are a commercial property owner with a flat roof, then appropriate measurements need to be made, and also suggestions as to where the inverter can be mounted.
7) Cable run - this is the cable that needs to feed back into the national grid. You will need to discuss the best route you are happy with, make sure notes and also pictures are taken before agreeing to anything, as you do not want mistakes to be made. The cable itself should be fitted to a separate fuse box as opposed to your normal one. The reason for this is because if you need any electrical work carried out in your household you do not want the normal fuse box switched off as this will stop you from generating electricity.
1) Do you have a specific location where you would like the Solar Panels fitted?
2) Is there a specific make of Solar Panels you prefer?
3) Do you know what an 'inverter' is?
4) Is there a specific 'inverter' you have in mind you would like?
5) Have you heard of the governments 'Feed-In-Tariff' scheme?
6) Do you know what size of system you would like?
Once all the questions have been asked and answered a site survey will need to be carried out which consist of the following;
1) Visit the proposed area of where the Solar Panels are to be fitted and make sure to see if it facing the correct way (south facing)
2) Check the roof for any broken or missing tiles (if there is any missing or broken tiles then these will be repaired by the roofers before any panels are fitted. Some companies will do this free of charge)
3) Pictures should be taken of the roof to show you if any repairs are needed to be done, also with the pictures you will be presented with a design as to how the panels will look before any installation work is carried out.
4) Check for any obstacles that may cause shading and cause the panels to stop working. If there are any obstacles to be found then you might have to look at other areas to have the panels fitted.
5) Loft inspection - measurements need to be taken of the roof area and also the angle of the roof has to be checked. The installers should also make sure the structure of the roof rafters (beams) are in good condition, as these will be taking the weight of the solar panels. If any faults are to be found then you will need to organise a visit from a structural engineer, which may be recommended by the solar company or you can arrange one yourself.
6) Positioning of materials - you should be told verbally and also by means of a drawing plan, as to how the items will be fitted in your loft space, which will include the panels and inverter which converts the power of the system from the solar panels to normal electric. If you do not have a loft and are a commercial property owner with a flat roof, then appropriate measurements need to be made, and also suggestions as to where the inverter can be mounted.
7) Cable run - this is the cable that needs to feed back into the national grid. You will need to discuss the best route you are happy with, make sure notes and also pictures are taken before agreeing to anything, as you do not want mistakes to be made. The cable itself should be fitted to a separate fuse box as opposed to your normal one. The reason for this is because if you need any electrical work carried out in your household you do not want the normal fuse box switched off as this will stop you from generating electricity.
Posted in: Green Living
