The homeowner owns the system on private residences.

Nothing! As long as your electricity is switched on, the solar panels will automatically generate power during daylight hours and distribute it to your property via the consumer unit/distribution board.

Yes, installing solar PV will reduce your electricity bills. The exact savings depend on the system’s size and your specific electricity usage. Any excess power generated during the day flows back to the grid.

Solar panels generate energy only when there’s sunlight. On cloudy days or at night, the system will not produce power, and you’ll use electricity from the grid. There will be no power interruptions—it’s a seamless transition.

Solar PV is a reliable, proven technology. Panels have been used worldwide for years. Your system comes with manufacturer warranties, and we also provide a 2-year workmanship warranty.

The PV system ownership transfers to the new homeowner. If the property is part of the Feed-In Tariff (FIT), you’ll need to surrender your FIT, and the new owner will apply for it.

On top of or built into your roof is an array of solar panels that work together to produce power. The power that these create is sent to an Inverter (generally installed in your loft space) which is a device that converts direct current (DC) from the panels to alternating current (AC) for use in homes and the grid. The power that is created is measured using a generation meter. Finally, the power ends up at your consumer unit which is also known as a fuse board or electrical fuse box, this device distributes electricity from the mains supply and your PV system to individual circuits around a property. Any unused energy will be exported back to the grid, see Getting Paid for excess generation.

The Generation Meter will display the total units of electricity generated since installation. This number will steadily increase as the system produces power.

Solar panels generate electricity during the day, so it’s best to use power-hungry appliances during daylight hours. You can optimize savings by using timers and energy management solutions.

The inverter and generation meter use a small amount of power from the grid to maintain their displays at night. This costs approximately £4-5 per year—about half the cost of boiling a kettle once a day.

Not unless specified as part of your order. The system provides power during the day, and grid electricity is used at night. However, additional retrofit battery systems are available.

No. For safety reasons, the inverter will shut down if it can’t detect grid voltage. This prevents any risk to workers repairing the lines.

Solar PV systems need very little maintenance. The panels have no moving parts, and rain typically washes off any dirt. Keeping the panels clean can improve efficiency.

During daylight, a flashing red light on the Generation Meter shows the system is generating power. If the red light is on continuously, it’s either dark or there’s a fault. Check the fuse board to ensure the MCBs are in the ON position. For more details, refer to the Operating & Maintenance Manual or contact us if you suspect a fault.

Please contact Avonside for guidance before carrying out any work on the roof.

Yes, the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) allows you to get paid for any electricity your system exports to the grid. More details can be found on the Ofgem website: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-and-social-schemes/smart-export-guarantee-seg.

Please note that if your property has an export limitation device installed, you may not be eligible for the Smart Export Guarantee, and you should check with your prospective supplier.

Requirements can vary by supplier, but typically, you’ll need:

• Owner and property details
• MCS Certificate (issued by Avonside on installation completion)
• Your electricity bill info
• G98 or G99 DNO Commission Confirmation (sometimes not provided by DNO)

The Generation Meter shows total units generated, while your electricity meter records both imported (used) and exported energy. The export reading is shown on your electricity meter, either automatically scrolling or by pressing a button, depending on your DNO.

The FIT is a government-backed incentive that paid you for generating your own electricity. It closed to new applications in April 2019. If your system was installed after this date, it won’t be eligible for FIT.

Contact our customer service team at Avonside Energy Ltd. For faster assistance, please provide:

• Developer (builder) details
• Site details, including plot number and address
• Your contact details
• Photos of the generation meter and isolators
• Fault code on the inverter

Tel: 0800 048 7468
Email: mysolarpanels@avonsideenergy.com