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How we calculate your savings

  • Annual production is calculated specifically for your house. The production calculation estimate for your solar system takes into account the specific conditions of your house, including: available space, potential obstructions, orientation, and inclination, among other factors.

    The specific production (kWh/kWp used) in your simulation follows the same data source as indicated in the MCS guidelines in MIS 3002 ISSUE 5.0, namely, data from European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Climate-SAF-PVGIS dataset and multiplied by 0.8.

    To increase the accuracy of our estimates, we use the exact location of your house and incorporate horizon shadowing into the simulation.

  • The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a government-backed initiative introduced in 2020. It requires certain electricity suppliers to offer a tariff to small-scale, low-carbon electricity generators for the surplus energy they export back to the grid.

    In simpler terms, if your home solar panels produce more electricity than you consume, you can sell the excess energy back to the grid and earn money. We are considering a value of 10 p/kWh, based on the tariffs offered by the top 5 suppliers, ensuring you receive a competitive rate for your exported energy.

  • Many utilities offer a way to sell solar power back to the grid called net metering. If you have solar panels generating electricity at your home, you may generate extra electricity during peak daylight hours. With net metering, any excess power that you generate is sold back to the utility grid.

  • For the CO2 calculations, the conversion factor used was 0.225 kg CO2 per kWh, following the latest available recommendations on greenhouse gas reporting by gov.uk - specifically for Scope 3 Impacts, which include electricity generated, transmission, and distribution.

    Additionally, solar panels can make your home more attractive to potential buyers, as they offer a unique selling point that can set your home apart from others on the market. They also provide a clear benefit in terms of reducing energy costs, which can be a major selling point for eco-conscious buyers.

    Overall, investing in solar panels can not only help you save money on energy costs while you live in your home but also increase its resale value when you decide to sell.

  • Kettle (boiling one cup): To boil 1 cup of tea we have calculated that this will use 0.0263 kWh

    Laptop usage: A laptop requiring a typical input of 60 W.

    Internet Router: A typical household internet router with a typical input of 15 W.

    Television: A television with the typical power usage of 80 W.

    Chicken Cooked in an Air Fryer: An air fryer requiring 1200 W power and taking 30 minutes to cook a whole chicken.

    Dishwasher: 1.15kWh used for one eco cycle.

    Washing Machine: 0.75kWh used for one eco cycle wash.

    Number of smartphones charged: A typical 4,500mah smartphone requiring 0.017kWh or energy to fully charge.

    Slices of toast: A toaster requiring 1000 W taking two minutes to toast both sides, 0.0166 kWh per side.

    Hours of Gaming: A standard PlayStation 5 using 180 W.

  • Lifetime savings will be influenced by several factors. The estimated lifetime savings are calculated by multiplying the first year's savings by 25. This figure serves as an approximation, aimed at providing a general understanding.

    Actual lifetime savings will be influenced by several factors, with the most significant being the evolution of your energy consumption, energy tariffs, and the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariff.

    Moreover, other considerations such as the annual degradation of the solar panels (estimated at 0.7% per year), accumulation of dirt, frequency of cleaning, and malfunctions in inverters or other hardware, may also affect the true lifetime savings.

  • The savings are calculated by comparing your current energy usage and associated costs against the anticipated reduction in grid energy consumption thanks to your new solar PV system. Additionally, any excess energy your system injects back into the grid will earn you payments under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Together, these factors contribute to your overall savings.

  • We look at the expected payback period when calculating how many solar panels we recommend for you, despite whether you can fit more panels on your available roof space. So for example, although your roof could fit 18 panels we may recommend only 12 panels as this will result in a shorter payback (ROI) period. You can opt for more panels.

  • The calculation of the payback period provides an indicative range for how long it might take to recoup your investment in a solar system or a solar system with a battery. The presented value, calculated using indicative costs based on current market conditions, is intended solely to offer guidance.

Glossary of Terms Used

  • An installer that has been officially certified and recognized by relevant industry bodies or regulatory authorities (such as the Microgeneration Certification Scheme) for meeting established standards in the installation of solar panels and air source heat pumps in the UK.

  • The total amount of greenhouse gases produced directly and indirectly by human activities, expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).

  • Using less energy to provide the same service or achieve the same result.

  • The ability of a household to produce enough energy to meet its own needs without relying on the grid.

  • The reduction in energy consumption and costs achieved through the use of solar panels and other efficiency measures.

  • The process of transitioning from traditional fossil fuels to renewable and sustainable energy sources, reflecting advancements in technology and changes in energy production and consumption practices.

  • The surplus electricity generated by solar panels that is not immediately used and can be stored or fed back into the grid.

  • The network that delivers electricity from producers to consumers.

  • Past weather data used to predict solar energy generation.

  • A storage system that saves excess energy generated by solar panels for later use.

  • A device that converts the direct current (DC) electricity generated by solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity used by homes.

  • The total accumulated savings from switching to solar energy over the course of 25 years.

  • A unit of energy representing one kilowatt (1 kW) of power used for one hour.

  • The length of time in which the initial investment of switching to solar energy for your home is matched by the accumulated expected savings from a reduction in grid-cost energy bills.

  • Small units in solar panels that convert sunlight into electrical energy.

  • An initial calculation or assessment of potential costs, savings, or performance, based on available data and assumptions, intended to provide an early indication before a home survey is conducted.

  • The gain or loss generated on an investment relative to the amount of money invested.