Solar, battery and EV questions from Kent homeowners.
Straight answers on savings, roof suitability, batteries, EV charging, planning and payment options. Still unsure about something? Send your details and we'll help.
How much could I save?
It depends on your roof, your system and how your household uses electricity, so we do not quote a blanket percentage. The more of your solar generation you use directly, the less you buy from your supplier, and a battery can raise that share. Your estimate shows the figures for your actual property.
Do I have to pay for everything upfront?
No. Alongside paying outright, qualifying customers can ask about monthly payment and no-upfront-cost routes, and selected short-term 0% offers may be available from time to time. Finance is subject to status, affordability and lender approval, and the installation team acts as a credit broker, not a lender.
Does asking about payment options affect my credit file?
Asking about payment options is not a finance application and does not affect your credit file.
What is the Smart Export Guarantee?
It is a government-backed scheme in which suppliers pay you for electricity your system generates but your home does not use. You need an MCS-certified installation and a smart meter to qualify.
What happens after I send my details?
We review likely suitability and a member of the solar team may contact you to clarify the details. If the property looks suitable, a surveyor checks the roof, shading and electrics in person and you receive a proposal with expected generation, warranties and payment routes. Asking commits you to nothing.
Is my roof suitable for solar?
South-facing roofs are ideal, but east and west roofs can also work well, particularly when household use is spread across mornings and evenings. We check space, direction, pitch, shading and roof condition, and if the roof is not suitable we say so.
Do solar panels work on cloudy days and in winter?
Yes. Panels generate from daylight, not only direct sun, so they keep producing on overcast days, just at a lower rate. Output is lower in winter and higher in summer, which is why we look at expected generation across a full year.
How long will the installation take?
For a typical home, one to two days on the roof. Bigger systems and awkward roofs can take longer, and your proposal gives the expected timeframe.
What maintenance do solar panels need?
Panels have no moving parts and need very little upkeep. An occasional visual check and keeping them clear of heavy debris or moss is generally enough.
How do solar panels actually work?
Panels are made of photovoltaic cells, almost always monocrystalline silicon on modern homes. They generate direct current (DC) whenever there is daylight, and an inverter converts it into the alternating current (AC) your appliances use, or sends it to charge a battery.
Is battery storage worth adding?
It depends on when your household uses electricity. If you use most of it in the evening, a battery lets you keep daytime solar generation instead of exporting it. We work through whether it makes sense as part of your proposal.
Can I add a battery to my existing solar panels?
Often, yes. A battery can usually be added to an existing array without replacing it, provided the inverter and setup are compatible, which we check first.
Can I have a battery without solar panels?
Yes. A battery can charge from the grid on a cheap overnight tariff and cover peak-rate hours, although payback is usually faster when it is paired with solar.
Will a battery keep the lights on in a power cut?
Not automatically. Backup depends on the battery, the inverter and how the system is wired, so raise it at the design stage if it matters to you. What is included is confirmed in your proposal.
Can my solar panels charge my car?
Yes. With the right charger and inverter combination the car can take surplus solar first. See our EV charging page for more detail.
Are there grants available for EV chargers?
The EV Chargepoint Grant currently covers 75% of the cost up to £500, but it has been restricted to renters, flat owner-occupiers and leaseholders, and landlords installing for tenants since 2022 (the £500 cap itself is an April 2026 increase from £350). Homeowners in a standard house are no longer eligible.
Do I need planning permission for solar panels in Kent?
Most home solar installations fall under permitted development and do not need planning permission. Parts of Kent sit within the Kent Downs National Landscape (AONB), where visual impact is more carefully regulated and permission can be needed even where it would not be elsewhere. See our Kent planning guide for the detail.
Can the system be sized for a future EV or heat pump?
Yes, and it is worth mentioning early. Expected demand from an EV or heat pump can be built into the panel layout and battery size, and you can leave room to add a battery or charger later.
Do coastal Kent homes need different installation considerations?
Homes near the Thanet, Dover or Thames Estuary coast are more exposed to salt air and wind, so mounting, fixings and equipment are checked as part of the survey. It shapes the specification. It does not rule solar out.
Can solar work on older or conservation-area properties?
Often, yes, but a conservation area, a listed building or a property inside the Kent Downs National Landscape can add planning steps. A listed building always needs listed building consent. We flag this early so you know where you stand.
Still have questions?
Send your details for a free, no-obligation home energy estimate and we'll answer them for your property.
Free and no obligation. Asking about payment options is not a finance application and won't affect your credit file.
No obligation to proceed. If the property looks suitable, a member of the solar team may contact you to clarify the details before a proposal is prepared.