FAQs

frequently asked questions

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Finance

FAQs

frequently asked questions

Get a quote

Finance

Help and Advice

Get quick answers to your questions on Solar Panels, Heat Pumps, Battery Storage and EV Chargers below

Choose your FAQ section:

Solar

Solar

Solar PV

Supplied by nature

Solar energy is free and abundant and can be made wherever there is sunlight

Your energy bills will be reduced as you’re generating your own electricity.

Solar panels protect you against future energy price rises.

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Finance

Q – How does a solar panel system work?

A – When the sun shines on solar PV (photovoltaic) panels, they automatically generate direct current (DC) electricity. This electricity then passes through an inverter which transforms it into alternating current (AC) power which you can use in your home or workplace.

Q- How long do solar panels last?

Q – How long does it take to install solar panels?

Q- Can I still have solar panels if my roof is shaded?

A – Yes, while it is true that shading from trees, chimneys etc will lower the electrical output of a solar panel there are technologies available that help mitigate the effect of shading. One of the most popular products available is produced by Solar Edge, it consists of a power optimiser installed on the rear of each panel making all panels output independent of the other panels in the array. This maximises overall solar generation considerably.

Q- Do I need a smart meter?

A – Domestic installations require a second generation (SMETS2) smart meter connected to the internet. Smart meters track any solar electrically exported to the grid at half-hourly intervals. This is required to qualify for the Smart Export Guarantee Tariff (SEG). Solar installers do not install smart meters, you will need to request your energy provider to supply one – Typically free of charge.

Q – Can I monitor what is happening with my solar panel system?

A – All battery and inverter manufacturers that South Coast install provide a monitoring platform for their products which are accessed via a mobile application or on your desktop computer. These platforms offer real-time monitoring of the capabilities and other parameters of the battery and inverter – some even offer per panel monitoring. In addition, these platforms include historical data analysis allowing users to view the performance of their system over a period of time.

Battery Storage

Move Towards Energy Independence

Store energy for later use. Maximise your Solar PV system by storing the energy produced to use when you really need it.

Increased energy savings.

Can be retro fitted to existing PV systems.

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Finance

Q – Can I add Battery Storage to an existing PV System?

A – Yes – Battery Storage can be retro fitted to your existing system and is compatible with all solar panels – The complexity of the process will depend on your existing system.

Q – Where does the battery system get installed in the home?

Q – How long do solar battery systems last?

A – The lifespan of a battery can vary dependant on several things - the make and model of your battery and the way that you use it. Whilst most batteries are designed and optimised to undergo frequent charging and discharging, eventually, over many thousands of cycles, the batteries will start to lose a small percentage of their capacity. All our installed battery systems come with a warranty, these are usually around 10 years, and are guaranteed to maintain a certain level of performance. For example, the Tesla Powerwall 2 has a warranty for 10 years for 80% of the original capacity. Therefore, if your battery isn’t storing at least 80% of the energy it did when new within 10 years, Tesla will replace it.
The likelihood is that a home battery system will usually significantly outlast the warranty. It is the same as any other electronic product in this respect – if you bought a laptop or TV with a 5-year warranty, you would reasonably expect it to last for 10+ years.

Q – Do Battery Storage systems work in a power cut?

Heat Pumps

Efficient Alternative To Fossil Fuels

Your energy prices will be reduced as you’re generating your own electricity.

Low maintenance solution

Longer lifespan than traditional boilers

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Finance

Q – Which type of heat pump should I choose?

A - Both systems offer significant energy saving benefits that will help you cut your energy costs and heat your home efficiently. The main difference between the two types of heat pumps is simply how they get their heat – Air source heat pumps absorb heat from the air in comparison to a Ground source heat pump which absorbs heat from the ground.
Air source heat pumps look similar to air conditioning units and are usually mounted alongside an external wall of your property. The external unit is connected to an internal unit containing circulation pumps and hot water, this is normally smaller than the average boiler. They are easier to install than ground source heat pumps as they don't require any groundworks. The size of the units will vary depending on the size of your property.

The biggest initial considerations for a ground source heat pump is adequate outdoor space to install the ground loop and suitable ground for the works. Ground loops can be installed in two ways, vertically or horizontally, but both methods require a fair amount of space at your property. Additionally, you will also need some space indoors to fit the heat pump unit – this are typically the size of a fridge and can create a low-level humming sound, similar to an extractor fan or air conditioning unit. Although initially more planning and groundworks need to be undertaken, once installed your ground source heat pump will not be visible, with all pipework and ground loops hidden underground there will be no impact to the look or functionality of any part of your property.

Q – How long does it take to install?

Q – How long does a heat pump last?

Q – What kind of maintenance does a heat pump require?

Q- Are heat pumps noisy?

EV Charging

The Future Is Electric

Government grants are available towards the purchase of an electric vehicle and for the installation of charging points at your home or workplace.

Road Tax for all electric vehicles has been reduced to £0.

Electric vehicles don’t emit any exhaust gases and are therefore exempt from clean air zone charges.

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Finance

Q – Can I charge my EV with Solar?

A - Yes, there are a couple of ways to do this. One is to use the dedicated Zappi charger which diverts excess generation into an electric vehicle. In this way, what would have been exported back to the grid is now providing you with zero-carbon mobility. The only downside to this would mean you would need to have your EV parked up at home during the day.

The alternative is to use a battery system to store this energy, and then discharge this into your EV in the evening/night-time. The battery would also cover your household loads once the sun has gone down.

Q – How long does it take to install an EV Charger?

Q – How much does an EV charge point cost and are there grants available to me?

Q – Do electric cars have enough range for me?

A - Most daily commutes are under 30 miles, which is comfortably within the range of most electric cars. In addition, most EV drivers charge their car overnight so they wake up to full range every morning.
Despite the low number of miles most people drive each day, many newer electric vehicles can offer driving ranges of more than 200 miles. For example, the Kia E-Nero offers more than 300 miles.

Q- Are electric cars more expensive to buy?