Trusted Solar Panel Installers in Scotland.

Installing Solar Panels in Scotland is a good idea, despite the idea that Scotland’s overcast weather is too much for them to be effective and produce energy in sufficient quantities to make it cost-effective. However, renewable energy and the solar PV system have been constantly developed over the years, to the point that Scotland has comparable results with the rest of the UK in pulling in sunlight and generating renewable energy.

Scotland has had an increased focus on renewable energy in the past decades. The cost of installing a solar panel is much lower than it used to be, the past decade has seen a 70% drop in price, meaning much more affordable prices for domestic and business customers. A household generating a large amount of renewable electricity from solar could make a side income through the smart export guarantee payments.

Yes. There are no restrictions for flat roof solar panels in Scotland. That being said, the installation methods will change. This is because for Solar Panels to generate energy, they need to pull in direct sunlight, and they are exposed to less when facing vertically. Only on a tilted surface do they get the highest levels of sunlight exposure. 

So, to do this, the following installation methods will be required: 

Ballasted Mounted System – A ballasted mounted system uses weights to secure the solar panels to a flat roof. Essentially, the foundation of the structure used to hold up the panels will be made of solid material, that will be penetrated by the structure to create a stable, secure foundation. That being said, the roof itself must be able to take the weight or else will require reinforcement. This method is popular with people who prefer not piercing their roofs to provide a foundation for solar panels. 

Penetrating Mounting System – This method requires drilling into your roof to use the inside as a foundation. Roof anchors and/or brackets will be secured to the roof using bolts. Beware that the holes in the roof will require adequate protection from leaks, and the alteration to the roof’s structure may void warranties or contracts regarding the building. 

Hybrid Mounting System – As the name implies, this uses a combination of ballasts and minor penetrations to the roof to create a much more stable foundation. Ballasts make up the majority of this system, holding the panels in place.

One thing to watch out for is condensation. Whilst condensation on the outside surfaces of the window can be hard to avoid, there shouldn’t be any at all between the panes. If you notice that condensation has begun to drip inside the window, then that is a sign that the insulation protection has failed. There are a couple of reasons this could be, but usually, it’s the failure of the seals on the edges of the window. When they fail, moisture can enter the space between the window panes.

Another way to tell if your windows need a repair is if you feel a draught. This is a sign of the window’s failure to close properly, or much like the last option, the seal has failed – although to a much larger extent. Identifying the source of the problem should be done through an inspection of both areas.

Solar Panels are considered very low-maintenance pieces of equipment to take care of. That being said, if you want them at maximum efficiency and to reach their full lifespan, there are some things you’ll need to do:

Cleaning – One of the few physical tasks a solar panel requires. Cleaning your solar panels with water and a non-scratch brush is necessary due to the build-up of debris over time. Some of this debris can include airborne objects, such as leaves, natural dirt or even bird muck.

Check the inverter – Solar Panels come with an inverter and it’s one of the most important components in the equipment. It is responsible for converting solar energy into energy usable by house appliances. As a result, it’s important to make sure this component is working, otherwise, your solar panels may be compromised.

Monitor Energy Production – This is likely the main way that you’ll be able to determine whether something is wrong or not. Find out what the average level of energy generated is, and make sure that as the weeks go by it stays around that area. Sharp drops in productivity may mean one of the two problems above may be occurring.

How much energy you generate with solar panels in Scotland, with cloudy rough weather, depends on several factors including:

• Size of the Solar Panels
• Proper Orientation and Tilt
• Solar Panel Performance

It’s not true that it’s impossible to generate a similar amount of solar energy product in Scotland as it is in other parts of the UK. By choosing a modern solar panel that has been constructed with the latest technology, you can have powerful solar PV that can generate power even in low-light areas. A good example of one of these solar panels is Monocrystalline solar panels which can be highly efficient.

There are a few government grants available in Scotland to help its citizens with various energy efficiency options. Most of these are grants that will put money towards solar panels rather than paying the full amount. 

Home Energy Scotland Loan, Renewable Heat Incentive, Energy Saving Trust and grants from the Local Authorities – all these are examples of a renewable energy scheme.

However, it’s worthwhile pointing out that the vast majority of grants target lower-income households, with whether or not you’re receiving benefits being the major deciding factor in getting it or not.

You may need to apply for planning permission for solar panels in Scotland if the solar panel systems are estimated to rise from the roof slope they are being installed on more than 200mm. This is the barrier most likely to get in the vast majority of customers’ way.

That being said, you will need planning permission before solar panel installers are able to get to work on protected buildings. These buildings can include those that are:

• Listed Buildings – These buildings have been deemed to be of varying degrees of national importance. The government’s main concern is keeping these buildings consistent with their original design.
• Conservation Areas – These are areas of historic interest protected by the law.
• World Heritage Sites – These are areas of shared universal importance.
• National Park – These are areas of natural beauty.
• Scheduled Monuments – These sites are not always buildings, but are nonetheless seen as being of historical significance and are thus protected.