How Are Solar Panels Installed?.

1. Survey, scaffold, and support. After you’ve consulted with your solar panel installer, they will set up scaffolding to reach the roof safely. From there, they can check the integrity of your roof – including any shingles or roof tiles – then install solar panel mounts.
2. Solar panel installation. With the mounts cocked between 10° – 60°, the solar panels can then be affixed. Your solar panel installer will ensure all fixtures are tightened to minimise the chances of losing panels in adverse weather.
3. Wiring solar panels. The solar panels are connected back to your inverter using DC rated cables, these will be installed in a safe and secure manner using a variety of cable containment systems to provide the most suitable and aesthetic method of routing these cables back to the inverter position.
4. Install solar inverter and battery. The purpose of your solar inverter is to convert the DC current generated by your solar panels into a usable AC current. These components are connected to each other and are installed in an agreed and suitable location.
5. Connect the consumer unit and generation meter. The inverter is connected to your electrical installation via your distribution board or consumer unit, this also provides fuse/RCD protection for your inverter. The generation meter allows you to view how much energy you’re converting, so you can adjust your energy usage accordingly. This is the only time your regular business activities could be affected by commercial solar panel installation. For safety reasons, the electrics need to be turned off while your solar panel installer connects the system to your electrical installation.
6. Testing your panel system. The final step is to turn on your solar panels and ensure the system works. Your solar panel installer will handle this and make sure everything’s up to scratch. From there you can start benefiting from your commercial solar panel installation right away!

We strongly advise against installing your own solar panels if you haven’t received the proper training. You not only risk damaging expensive equipment, but also put yourself and others at risk. When spending large amounts of money on a solar panel installation it can be tempting to cut corners, however it’s simply not worth the risk.

Potential hazards include;

• An incorrectly installed mounting system with insufficient or incorrect brackets
• A potential falls risk during rooftop solar panel installation.
• How solar panels are installed on a roof generally means proper scaffolding is required.
• Slates or roof tiles can be disturbed and hit people, cars etc on the ground level.
• You may cause damage to your roof when attempting solar panel installation.
• A damaged roof can lead to rainwater or damp getting into your home or business.
• With time, a damaged roof may lead to partial or full roof collapse.
• Electric shock risk when installing the cabling, DC voltage from solar panels can be extremely dangerous.
• Prevent you from getting paid for exporting energy.
• Invalidating your home insurance policy.
• Creating problems if selling your property.

All our systems are designed by trained staff that can calculate the correct mounting system for your property, assess the required type and number of brackets, positioning of brackets and more, this is calculated using manufacturers software that considers the weather patterns in your location, the effects of surrounding buildings, wind loadings and snow loadings.

If the roof is showing signs of deterioration, we can undertake a structural survey to establish if your roof is capable of supporting the additional weight of the panels and mounting equipment along with the forces applied by the weather.

All the electrical work is undertaken by our in-house, trained and qualified electricians, and the at the end of the installation you will receive a handover pack including Building control notification, electrical test certificate and an MCS Certificate.