20+ Years Experience
Specialist Solar Panel Installers
Have you been considering solar panel installation as a way to reduce your energy bills? Are you interested in solar panels for your home but feel unsure of what the process will be and how the solar panel installation will work and impact your day while the installation takes place?
As an increasing number of homeowners opt to install solar panels in Bedford, we find that our diary is filling quickly for the year ahead. Several of our customers have told our sales team that they have hesitated for a considerable period of time before contacting us to arrange their solar panel installation.
Largely, this is because customers are unsure of solar panels, how they work, how much they will cost to install, and how much money solar panels will actually save on their energy bills. We are here to answer all of these questions, in addition, we will give you information about our company.
We are one of the UK’s leading solar panel installers, and we can install solar panels on the roof of your home or business in Bedford. Solar panels convert sunlight into energy that can power your home or business. We at Solar Panel Install are passionate about reducing the carbon footprint of our customers while saving them money.
We are a company you can trust. We have built a large customer base over the years we have been installing solar panels in Bedford. Our customers return to us when moving home due to the excellent service we provide. We comply with all industry standards, providing high-quality materials.
Everyone within the company, from our customer service team to the installers you will meet at your home, is knowledgeable about the solar panels that we use. We can give you the most up-to-date information about our products to ensure that you fully understand what to expect from your newly installed solar panels.
Our professional Bedford installation team has received the latest training in solar panel installation and has health and safety accreditations for working in the community. We ensure that our staff are safe while working so you can be sure of an easy and safe installation. We also comply with the Renewable Energy Consumer Code.
We have been chosen as the best solar panel installer several times over the last decade. With over 10 years of experience as solar panel installers for both domestic solar panels and business solar panels in Bedford, we are proud of the reputation we have built.
Solar panels, also referred to as PV panels, are a way to convert sunlight particles (photons) into a form of electrical energy that can be used as power. Solar PV systems convert the photons in sunlight directly into energy which can then be used immediately or stored within the solar PV panels.
Solar panels can be used to power the home or building that they are attached to, which is helpful for reducing domestic or business energy bills. Alternatively, solar panels can instead be used to remotely power buildings or systems.
Solar farms are becoming more popular, with solar panels being installed in large quantities to remotely power businesses, farms, and residential properties.
If you have not worked with solar panels in the past, you may be unaware, just from looking at them, that there are multiple types of solar panels available on the market currently. Solar panel installers are usually fully trained to install all types of solar panels.
We will discuss all types of solar panels with you prior to booking the installation to ensure that you are getting the best product for your needs. Our Bedford solar PV systems can meet any domestic or commercial needs, and we will provide you with a comprehensive quote and installation information prior to signing your contract.
Below are the three most common types of solar panels that we install. If you would like any further information regarding the solar panels that we install, please contact our friendly customer services team for more details.
Monocrystalline solar panels are the oldest type of solar panel currently available for installation. The name explains how this panel type has been constructed; single crystal silicone solar cells comprise each solar panel. During the production of this type of solar panel, pure silicone is made into bars and then split into wafers.
The cells are shaped in such a way as to generate even more electricity from the photons collected. This type of solar panel has a very recognisable shape due to the rounding that is completed to create this panel type.
This is the solar panel type you may be most used to seeing when driving through your local area. It is an extremely popular panel type due to the single crystal design giving a higher energy output than most solar panel systems.
This is brilliant for use on Bedford homes as most domestic solar panels are used to reduce energy bills. Monocrystalline solar panels will give you a high energy return on photon collection, making these very popular as you get more energy per panel than other options.
This panel type is, however, more expensive than others on the market. We think it is more than worth the cost of each solar panel, as in addition to the additional energy they produce, the panels are more durable. This means they will last longer exposed to the elements outdoors due to the premium silicone used to make them.
Polycrystalline solar panels are similar to the monocrystalline option, except there are multiple crystals used in place of the single crystal in the first option. This solar panel system is also created from silicone. However, as many crystals are melted together to form the silicone, it is not as pure as the first option.
Similar to the monocrystalline panels, the silicone is cut into wafers. However, it is not shaped in the same way as the monocrystalline option. Therefore, there is less time spent making this type of solar panel, meaning a smaller carbon footprint for the manufacturing process.
However, it does also mean that this type of panel does not as quickly convert photons to electrical energy. This is the cheaper option for most domestic customers in Bedford as it will provide enough energy for a home. This panel has a distinctive blue tint to its rectangular shape.
Unlike the previous two options we have looked at, Thin Film solar panels are made differently and are hundreds of times thinner than the crystal options, both mono and poly. The Thin Film panels are also not made solely of silicone but are created from a mixture of semi-conducting materials.
Instead of the solid silicone wafers used to create the crystalline panels, the Thin Film panels include a layer of semi-conducting material sandwiched between conducting layers. This traps the highest volume of photons possible for this type of panel to transfer to electric energy.
The issue with the Thin Film panels is that it has a far lower capacity than other panel types due to the composition. This means that you will need a considerably higher volume of panels to generate the same amount of electricity than the crystalline panel type.
Regarding longevity, this type of panel wears more quickly, meaning you will need to replace the panels more often, also. This means that although this panel type is cheaper to install, it is more expensive long-term due to how many solar panels you will need to purchase and how often you will need to replace the panels.
We like that this form of the panel is much more malleable and, therefore, can be made into different types of roof tile. This allows our Bedford customers who do not wish to have the flat solar panels visible to still have solar roof tiles and benefit from solar energy.
Any form of solar energy consumption is a positive in comparison to fossil fuels for our environment. Solar panel installation will also save you money on both domestic and business electricity bills.
The best type of solar panel system to install will depend on the building type you have and exactly how much energy you are hoping to generate. Our solar panel installers will carry out an estimate at your property before the solar panel installation begins.
As Bedford solar panel installers, we will assess the size and shape of your roof space in addition to the amount of electricity you usually use. From there, we will be able to provide you with their recommendation for the best solar panel system for you.
If you have a smaller roof, you will need a panel type that will convert a higher volume of energy per panel. A monocrystalline panel would be the best option in this situation, as you will get more solar output per panel installed.
However, if you have a larger roof or if you use less electricity, then the polycrystalline panels will suit you. A cheaper option to the monocrystalline panels, but you will have less energy produced per solar panel installed. More polycrystalline panels over a larger surface area will provide the same amount of solar energy as fewer monocrystalline panels.
We will price the difference of each of the solar panel systems we offer that we think will work for you. We will discuss all of the options and how the solar panel system will meet your needs to help you make the right decision.
Solar PV (photovoltaic) is the name given to the process of converting sunlight into electricity. Solar PV systems complete the process of changing the DC electricity created by the solar panels and, via an inverter, create the AC electricity that your appliances run on.
The solar PV system refers to the entire system and all of the equipment we will install rather than just the panels that would be installed on your roof. This will include parts of the system being installed inside your home to allow your home or business to run on renewable energy in Bedford.
A solar PV system will generate electricity in kWh, as you will see on your energy bills. It will generate a higher solar output on days when the panels are exposed to more sunlight. If you do not need all of the power that has been generated that day you have the option to sell this back to the National Grid rather than store the solar energy.
Selling excess energy generated back to the National Grid is another way to reduce your home electricity bill. In addition to running your home on renewable energy, you can sell that energy back so other consumers can benefit from green energy.
To give you an idea of the equipment that you will have in your home, we have detailed the components that make up a solar PV system in Bedford.
Solar PV panels are installed in direct sunlight, usually on the roof of a building. However, they can be installed in a solar PV farm in a field or other area of land. Sunlight will hit the solar PV panels, which will store solar energy and feed it to the solar inverter.
As discussed above, the inverter is the part of the solar PV system which will convert the type of energy from DC to AC to bring down your electricity bill. This will usually be installed in your loft, and this is something that will also be considered during the initial installation visit.
You will have a generation meter that will show you the volume of solar energy produced by your solar PV panels. You can use this to keep track of what has been produced and compare this with the amount of your energy consumption.
If your local energy supplier does not accept the return of solar power to the grid, you may also have an export limiter installed next to your meter. This will limit or prohibit the export of your excess solar energy back to the grid. This is not always needed or installed.
As expected, there will be cables running from the solar PV panels throughout the solar PV systems. We will ensure that the minimum amount of solar PV cable is used and that it is neatly and safely installed in your home.
The Bedford solar panel installation process is something that may be a cause for concern for some of our customers. Here we will outline what the process involves and provide as much reassurance as we can.
If you have any additional concerns, please discuss this with either the installer who attends your home or with the customer services team prior to having your solar panels installed.
The first step is to measure the roof and decide which solar power system is the best one for your needs. We will then temporarily remove your roof tiles to add brackets for your solar panels. If we find any damaged roof tiles, we will replace those as we fit the brackets.
Rails will then be attached to the brackets, and your roof tiles will be replaced to a flush fit with the bracket and rail. The solar panels are then attached to the rail. The attachment process allows for easy removal of the tiles if needed for maintenance or roof work.
The cable is fed under one of the roof tiles to the inverter in the roof void. All of the connections are completed, and the system is checked. You should not need to access any of the systems regularly after the installation has taken place. We can set up your output monitoring to show on a digital display or computer.
We will discuss, during the planning process prior to installation, how long the installation will take. Most of the Bedford installations that we completed take up to 2 days to complete. However, this time will vary depending on the size of the roof we are installing the panels on and any additional complexities with the property or installation.
We will keep you informed at all times of the expected length of the project changes and give you new projections for completion.
Planning permission can be a difficult subject to navigate and another block for some of our customers when deciding if they should have solar panels installed. We can help you to find more information about planning permission and regulations to put your mind at ease.
In most cases, you will not need any planning permission as local councils have a register of permitted development rights, which solar panels qualify for. However, there are very strict conditions for this to apply and for planning permission to remain unnecessary.
We have ensured that all of our solar panel installations meet the general conditions so that you will not need to apply for planning permission. However, if, for any reason, the right solar panel for you means that your installation does not meet these conditions, we will inform you of this during the planning process.
The conditions to qualify for permitted development rights are set out below:
In addition to the above, further discussions regarding planning permission will be needed if the building is listed.
Finally, it is required that all installation equipment is removed from the property as soon as we have completed the project. Solar panel installation projects do not take an extended period of time, and therefore, we are able to quickly remove our equipment upon completion.
The cost of solar panel installation will vary depending on the type of solar panel you install. However, it is important that when calculating the cost of the project, solar energy is factored in as reducing the cost of your energy. The electricity produced by beginning your solar journey will offset the rising energy prices on your monthly electricity bills.
Although there will be an initial investment to install the solar array at your home or business, the DC electricity generated will reduce your AC electricity used. A higher maximum power output may be more expensive initially to install. However, this will provide you with more electricity to power space heating, an electric vehicle, or any other electrical appliance.
If you choose a 250W panel, this will cost you approximately £500 per panel. Panels will be installed on your existing roof, so there will be no roofing costs to include. A 4kW solar panel project, the most commonly needed maximum power output for domestic needs, will cost between £6,000 and £6,500 to install. Depending on the company, labour costs may be added into or on top of this amount.
This cost will vary, as highlighted above, and can change if you decide to install additional solar batteries to store excess electricity. The amount of DC electricity needed to power the project solar energy will be used for, whether your full house, certain appliances, or an electric vehicle will be used to decide the size needed.
The cost will also potentially be limited by the size of your roof. The smaller the roof, the fewer solar panels will be able to be installed. You can also further reduce the cost of your solar panel installation by making use of the smart export guarantee grants. The smart export guarantee grants allow you to reduce the cost of your installation by exporting energy back to the National grid.
As a project, solar panels are one of the most cost-effective currently for both domestic and commercial customers. With the increasing energy costs, solar panels can significantly reduce the cost of bills for all of our customers.
We acknowledge that the cost is high to have the solar panels installed. However, finance options may be available to some customers to spread the cost of the project. Solar panels are well made with extended warranty periods, so make a lot of sense as a long-term investment.
As an example taking the 4kWh system quoted above will save, on average, approximately £1,000 per year.
We think solar panels are especially worth the cost in the UK in 2024. With the government’s move toward electric vehicles being the only new vehicles available by 2030 and rising energy costs, the amount of electricity generation solar panels provide is extremely beneficial.
As more households and businesses invest in electric vehicles, the energy that will be used to charge each electric vehicle will impact bills. The energy efficiency of electric vehicles is high with most generating some reserve power as you drive through the solar cell system in the vehicle.
However, the need to charge a vehicle multiple times per week will increase the cost of electricity. If you can offset even this increased cost through solar photovoltaic systems using the generated electricity to charge the vehicle, you will be back to the current cost.
If you install solar batteries in Bedford, you can also store the generated electricity for use on days when there is not as much solar exposure for the installed panels.
Maintenance costs of solar panels are extremely low, with most photovoltaic systems requiring only annual cleaning for each panel to ensure the solar cell continues to generate energy effectively. You can clean the panels yourself or arrange for them to be cleaned for a small cost.
Solar PV installation for home use is increasing each year, with more domestic users looking to reduce their household outgoings. With increased prices for energy, food, and leisure activities solar PV installation is a guaranteed, ongoing cost-saving for your Bedford home.
While most buildings will have a suitable roof surface for solar PV installation and solar battery storage, there will be some that are unsuitable. Some of the circumstances that will make your roof unsuitable can be corrected, while others cannot.
If your roof is in a bad state of repair, panels will not be able to be installed. We recommend that you have had a recent roof inspection to ensure that the roof is sound. If the inspection shows that work is needed, we will postpone installation until this work has been completed. This will ensure that the installation is safe and that you will get the best from your new panels.
A south-facing roof is best for the installation of panels, and this will ensure the highest volume of sunlight exposure. If your roof is not south-facing, solar panels can still be installed, but it is unlikely that you will get the maximum power output due to lower exposure. If this is the case, we will fully discuss this during the planning period to allow you time to decide what is best for you.
Your home should not be in excessive shade during daylight hours. If your house is in the shade of other buildings or large trees during the lightest hours of the day, you will not get enough exposure to generate a sufficient amount to reduce your bills noticeably. Again, we will discuss this with you when assessing your home and provide you with all available options.
Finally, there will need to be sufficient roof space to allow for the installation of the panels and any solar battery storage you wish to have. Panels in Bedford are usually two metres square, so the number of panels that will fit will depend on the size of the roof. We will discuss the size of the roof, the number of panels that can be installed, and the maximum power output that the available space will give you before we proceed.
Due to the increasing cost of energy and moves toward electric fleet vehicles for most businesses, we have seen a noticeable increase in commercial solar panel requests. Similar to domestic installations, commercial panels can be installed on the roof of your building.
Due to the increased size of commercial buildings, in comparison to domestic buildings, there is usually more space to install the panels. The increased surface volume of the roof will, in turn, mean that a higher volume of panels can be installed, giving a greater energy output for your business.
The larger output is helpful for businesses as the cost of energy for businesses is higher than domestic bills. Due to the larger roof surface, the cost will be considerably higher than a domestic installation. However, as we are part of a microgeneration certification scheme, there may be funding that you can access due to this accreditation.
We can provide cost projections for the installation of commercial solar panels in Bedford after assessing your building to help you to decide if the panels will be cost-effective for your business.
Below we answer some of the most common questions we have been asked by our customers. including some of the answers that help our customers to decide if solar panel installation is the best option for them.
In theory, it is definitely possible for you to install your own solar panels system. The process can be found online, and as with a lot of home improvement tasks can be followed step-by-step. There are some people who may have the required skills and knowledge of installation to be able to correctly and safely install the panels.
However, although the process may seem quite straightforward, the electrical wiring and components are extremely complex. Incorrect installation of the electrical system will negatively impact the amount of energy that will be produced by your solar system.
In our experience, it is best to pay the additional costs for installation to ensure that you get the most from your system. This will also be more cost-effective in the long term as you will recoup the cost of installation with the cost savings on your bills.
It is unlikely that you will be able to power your home on solar power alone. Most solar systems that we install are able to complement traditional energy supply and reduce the bills you usually receive. We do not often see customers who are powered solely by solar and not connected to the energy grid.
If you install high-efficiency panels and are on a property with high solar exposure, it is more likely that you will be able to run more of your home on solar outputs. As solar panels and other components improve, it is becoming more likely that running a house on solar output alone will be possible in the UK.
There are currently several different grants for solar panel installation in the UK. The type of grant you should look at will depend on your circumstances, needs, and the company that installs the panels.
We will discuss grant options with you when planning the installation, and we can direct you to information about grants before you make payment.
The answer to this question is complex; in the long term, yes, solar panels will be cheaper than electricity as you will build savings year after year. However, in the short term, due to the cost of buying the system and having it installed, you will not see a cost saving until your investment in the system has paid for itself.
Over a 25-year period, you will see an extensive saving.
Solar panel systems can be installed at any time of year. You will see the biggest cost saving during the spring and summer months from April to September. We see an increase in customers booking installations during the summer months, but it can be more efficient to have them installed outside of peak times.
This means that your system will be running for the summer months without being added to our waiting list and missing out on all that available solar energy.
Providing the sun is shining, you will begin to see savings on your energy bills quickly. The more sunlight exposure there is, the more money you will save.
The number of panels you will need will depend on your energy usage. We will discuss this with you when planning the installation.
As one of the best solar panel installers in Bedford, you can be sure that we can help you to reduce your grid electricity usage and the cost of your energy. There are so many considerations when deciding on and choosing solar panels for your home or business, and we can help you with any of the questions or concerns you may have.
You can contact our friendly team either by telephone or online to get more information about the services we offer, pricing, and installation information. We can answer any of your questions and provide the information you need before, during, and after the installation process takes place.
Recognised as one of the best solar panel companies in Bedford, we can meet all of your needs for switching to solar energy and reducing both your energy costs and carbon footprint. We offer several types of solar panels, which we are sure will meet the needs of all of our customers.
With over a decade of experience in providing first-class customer service and installation services, we have thousands of satisfied customers who are all currently benefiting from lower energy costs. If you think this is something you are interested in, then please contact us for more information.
Make sure you contact us today for a number of great solar panel services in East of England.
Here are some towns we cover near Bedford.
Kempston, Ampthill, Sandy, Flitwick, BiggleswadeWe absolutely love the service provided. Their approach is really friendly but professional. We went out to five different companies and found Solar Panel Installers to be value for money and their service was by far the best. Thank you for your really awesome work, we will definitely be returning!
Zac AustinWe have used Solar Panel Installers for many years as they are certainly the best in the UK. The attention to detail and professional setup is what makes this company our go-to company for all our work. I highly recommend the team for the immense work - we highly recommend them!
Toby TaylorFor more information on solar panels in Bedford, fill in the contact form below to receive a free quote today.
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